My Next Pattern is Nearly Ready!

Hello, hello!

How was Halloween weekend?

When I got home from Sew&bond yesterday we went straight out with our girls for some trick-or-treating but I was a little surprised.

We’ve been going around for the last 3 or 4 years and it’s never been like it was this year.

There were hardly any homes in our area participating this time. We only knock on the homes that have decorations out, but there weren’t many of them.

I wonder what happened this year, is it the cost of living? Did it just creep up too quickly this year and people forgot? Are people just not keen on Halloween anymore?

I am very grateful for those who participate because my kids speak about going out trick-or-treating the day after Halloween. 😂 They think ahead for next year, even though this one has hardly gone by, that’s how exciting it is for them!

So not having many homes to go to is sad for them.

And now can you believe we are in November already!

The retreat is less than 3 weeks away!!!

I have seen the first of some projects that are going to be there as one of the guests came to me for some help with them.

We had a look at pairing fabrics with projects and then we also fully cut out one project that is going to be made during the weekend.

I’ve heard here and there of some potential projects that are going to be worked on and I am just so excited to see them and be with everyone!

I would also like to get a few things prepped for myself so I can sew a little bit. I’ve been thinking about some basics like tops and/or possibly some easy trousers because we know I can’t concentrate on my own projects when there are so many others going on around me. 😂

Let’s see if I can organised myself and cut out a few projects to take with.

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I am also working on putting together another workshop/event!

I normally run workshops on set projects/techniques, but I am going to trial something a little different. I've had quite a few messages from people asking if I offer help with their sewing, but who would prefer a group setting rather than a private lesson. So, I am putting together something that sits somewhere between a private lesson and a traditional workshop.

The idea is you come along with whatever you need help with, and I'll help you!

It may be that you are just getting started with sewing and don't know where to begin, need help getting a PDF pattern together, can't understand the instructions, are struggling with a particular part of a project, want to learn how to insert a zip, or are having trouble setting up your sewing machine.

It doesn't have to be a project either. If there's a particular technique you'd like help with or something you've been struggling to get your head around, you can come along for that too.

And if you are unsure whether it's the right space for you, just get in touch beforehand for a chat.

It's aimed at beginners to intermediates, but anyone who needs help is welcome to come along.

This first one will be a trial to see how it works and what people think, with the hope of making it a regular event.

The date is going to be Saturday, 5th of December, 12:30 - 16:30, and the price will be £40 per person, so keep an eye out for when I launch it on my website.

If you would like some help but can't do weekends and would prefer weekdays, let me know what days and times work for you. That way, I can look at arranging another suitable date too.

I am calling it: Sewing Unstuck. ❤️

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Here is your weekly reminder that I’m going to be on Sewing Street! 🤩

I’m going to be live on the 17th of November demoing a project and then the week after you get to vote, which of the 5 finalists is your favourite one!

Stitches of the Week

 

BeeSilva - New Pattern

I have been working on this non-stop this week! So much so, I have ignored all my other duties! 😂

It needs a little tweak but I am very happy with it!

It is completely finished and it looks really good altogether!

It has a total of 6 small slip pockets, 1 large slip pocket, and 7 zip pockets of various sizes!

There is a lot of storage space in it and I know for sure that these will be perfect to carry around more sewing or knitting supplies. I can also see this as being a lovely gift to make for those special people in our lives!

I am not completely finished with the instructions on it though. I want to comb through them again to make sure everything is ok, so I have cut out fabric for another one to check everything matches.

This time the fabric is a bit more loud in terms of colour, so just how I like it! I haven’t decided on the colour binding I want for it just yet because I want to see everything sewn together first.

The bindings are the last things to go on anyway so I will wait a little to make a choice on it.

As soon as I am ready with the instructions, I need to get the pattern digitized so it’s ready to be used as a PDF and then it will be retreat ready!!

I will be launching this pattern exclusively to those on retreat first and then it will be made available on my website afterwards. 💃🏼

Now the next question is what to name it?

I’ve been naming my patterns after places I’ve been to, so the ones that came to mind for this one are Porto Case or Corfu case.

On my Instagram stories, I placed a poll and 100% of the votes went to Porto Case. 

But when I spoke to my partner about it he had already named the pattern too. 😂

We spoke about it a while ago, but I forgot what he had named it and he reminded me when I told him about the new names I came up with.

His vote is on Auckland Case.

What do we think - Porto Case or Corfu Case or Auckland Case? 🤔

Materials: Cotton, vinyl, mesh, foam stabiliser, batting and lots of zips.

Size: Big enough to fit an A4 booklet in.

 

BeeSilva - Sew&Bond™

I just love these days!

As it fell on Halloween this time, I decided to go a little in theme because I never get dressed for the occasion.

I don’t like scary things so I’ve never been a big fan of this time of year. This goes for spiders too, but somehow I ended up painting one on my face with a spider web for the day.

I was hoping someone else would come in theme too but nope, I was the only one.

The thought crossed my mind a couple of weeks ago to send out and email to those coming that if they wished to come dressed up , they could, but time just ran away and I never sent the email. 🫠

There’s always next year.

This weekend, it was lovely to see Kate join us after quite some time as none of our dates ever coincided and it was lovely to have new faces join us too!

Robyn is a fellow South African, so it was nice to connect with her on that point although we didn't get to speak much about it this time.

Many were challenging themselves with the projects they had this time. Everyone is of different skill levels so what is easy for some may not be easy for others but it was great to see everyone pushing themselves.

There were 3 people tackling trousers and they were putting the fear of working on them behind!

Then we had our youngest guest, Orly, who was continuing to work on a pyjama set that has been in the works for the last few weeks.

And then we had Abi who was cutting out her first human garment (last time she made one for her dog🤭) and Robyn who was making Christmas stockings after last sewing 11 years ago(I think that's right)!

A first time comer, Robyn bought her very own machine a few months ago to get back into sewing again.

Other projects in the making were a skirt, top, dress and an upholstery project.

I even got a few stitches in this time. I quilted a layer of foam and fabric together to make another version of my case design.

Everyone was amazing today! Thank you so much for coming!

And some of you reminded me that the next time I see you is at the retreat! 💃🏼 

Maker Spotlight

 

This week’s spotlight goes to @thezipperfoot!

This is such a simple top, but I love it!😍

Emma has made this mash up so many times and I can’t believe it’s the first time I’ve come across it.

She has used the Tilly and The Buttons Freya bodice and the Agnes sleeves in a cotton jersey.

I might be copying this combo sometime soon because I need some staple items in my wardrobe!

Want to be featured in my newsletter? Just reply with a pic of your make and a little about it, I’d love to see what you’ve made!😍

 

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'My Sewing Journal' - Order Yours!

 

Events:

Sewing Retreat 2026 at Browsholme Hall (SOLD OUT)

Sew&Bond™ - 14th of Nov 2026 (2 spots left!)
Sew&Bond™ - 28th of Nov 2026 (SOLD OUT)
Sew&Bond™ - 12th of Dec 2026 (5 spots left!)

Workshops:

Sew Your Own Trousers Workshop - 13th Nov 26 (SOLD OUT)

My Sewing Patterns:

Lisbon Organiser
Roma Necessaire
Paphos Pouch

Thanks for reading and happy sewing!
Bye for now, B! xx