My New Pattern Reveal
Bianca SilvaHello, hello!
I feel like I did a lot this week, but at the same time I didn’t do much. 🤔
I don’t have much of an update on my cobalt Ellie Sweater. It didn’t get much attention from me this week, because my focus has been on something else(revealed below). 👀
I have secured some more dates for our Sew&Bond monthly sewing days up until the end of the year!
If you have been wanting to join us, this is the perfect time to be able to plan ahead. Bookings have already been coming in, so don’t wait too long to book your seat!
If you have any questions at all, please get in touch.
There are also a few more spaces left in the FREE Build Your Confidence in Sewing workshop I am hosting on the 21st of June at Abakhan in Mostyn.
If you know anyone that has just started sewing or is a little intimidated by a sewing machine, please share this link with them so they can take advantage of this workshop:
Link: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/1396048662129
Stitches of the Week
Paphos Pouch
This design had been on my mind for quite a while, and I’m so glad I have got it out of my head now!
It’s a quilted pouch, with ruffles and a handle for it to be carried on your wrist so you are hands free.
There are 2 different size options, a small and a large, and you can make so many variations of it.
With or without a ruffle, with a side tab for a charm, or to attach the handle, without the side tab, add an inner separation or not.
The colours I have chosen for this have made it all the more exciting seeing it come together! Purple and red is my new favourite colour combo and I think this is still coming from my purple, red, pink and cream plaid sweater I finished knitting last month. 🤭
I need to finish the written instructions, but there is not much left to go, so I will soon be looking for testers!
Materials: All fabrics I used are light to medium weight cotton blends, and I used fusible foam as the stabiliser for this small version.
The Drama: Not exactly drama, but it may become one. I think I want to make these as teacher gifts for the end of the school year that is just around the corner. 😂
Closet Core - Fiona sundress
Of the 3 patterns I picked out to sew this month for #sewbloodpressure25, my partner ended up making the final decision for me because I just couldn’t make up my mind.
I still need to make a toile before making it in my nice fabric because the top part is quite fitted and I have had to grade between a 4 and 8 for the bust and waist. And then to a 10 at the Hips.
For the toile, I am using a burgundy duvet cover I got from one of my local charities for only £1! I love a bargain! Who doesn’t really?
This duvet fabric is a lighter weight fabric than the viscose linen, but it should give me the information I need.
I would like this toile to be wearable, but every time I imagine something made in burgundy, it feels heavy and old fashioned.
Hopefully it proves me wrong, only time will tell.
I am going for the maxi skirt with the straight back because I want to wear a bra with it, but I love the cross strap. It just wouldn’t be practical for me.
Fabric: For the toile, I am using a burgundy duvet cover. For the real version, I want to use a viscose fabric from my stash that I got in a Sew Hayley Jane Subscription box a few years ago.
The Drama: Not a real drama, but more work. With my new body measurements, I have to grade between 3 sizes, when my norm is only 2. Plus my usual shortening the length for my height.
The Win: A brand new summer dress, and more fabric and buttons used from my stash.
Size: 4 bust, 8 waist, 10 hips
Wool Warehouse have kindly sent out a few more skeins of yarn for a new project!
I am loving being able to experiment with all their different yarns, so this time I chose to work with one of their chunkier ranges.
I got their Yarnsmiths CreteSuper Chunky which suggests the use of 10mm needles and the plan is to make…
Another sweater! What a surprise! 😂
One that’s been at the back of my mind for a while (well all my patterns are always on my mind really 😂), is the Take It or Leaf It Sweater from Karas.Knit.Eng.
It’s got a whole lot going on, from lace down the centre front and back, bobbles on either side of the lace, and cables down the sleeves.
It’s a project where I need to be fully concentrated so I don’t get lost in the knitting chart that tells me what stitches to make.
I don’t normally have 2 projects on the go at the same time, but I want to try and knit this one alongside the cobalt Ellie Sweater.
Yarn: Yarnsmiths Create Super Chunky in
Pattern: Take It or Leaf It Sweater from Karas.Knit.Eng.
Skill Builder of the Week
How often do you change your needle?
I tend to keep on using my needle until something goes wrong.
Either when it breaks or when my stitches start to look uneven.
It is said though, that you should change your needles every 8 hours of sewing or after every big project using heavy weight fabrics like denim, canvas, etc.
Besides a broken needle and uneven stitches being an indication that your needle probably needs changing, here are other things to look out for that could benefit from it being changed:
- Skipped stitches.
- The thread keeps breaking.
- Bent needle.
Let me know, honestly, how often do you change your needle?
Maker Spotlight
This week’s spotlight goes to @thepetitedressmaker!
This is Stephanie’s latest pattern, the Ellesmere dress, that was released a couple of days ago and I love this version she’s made!
The pink piping just makes the pink flowers on the fabric pop a little more. I need to add this detail to one of my projects soon.
This dress pattern comes in with so many options, so definitely check it out on her website.
Want to be featured in my newsletter? Just reply with a pic of your make. I’d love to see what you’ve made!😍
Catch up:
Sewing & Knitting Catch Up | Finished Make & Plans | WEEKLYBEE EP18
The Invisible Stitch Every Beginner Should Know!
Next Events:
Sew&Bond - Social Sewing Event: 26th of July 2025
FREE Build Your Confidence in Sewing Workshop @ Abakhan Mostyn - 21st of June 2025
My First Sewing Pattern:
Thanks for reading and happy sewing!
Bye for now, B! xx