My Sewing Journal
Bianca SilvaHello, hello!
Am I ready for a week-long holiday! 😂
It’s been a really busy week. I did nine hours of sewing lessons over two consecutive days, then picked up an extra shift at Leon’s to cover a colleague. I had to take my daughter to the doctor one day and go myself on another. We also had our one year old godchild for the day. And on top of all that, it was school holidays.
We did go for a nice walk on Tuesday though to Tatton Park and it was freezing! But it was lovely to breathe some fresh air in and stretch our legs.
In between all this, I finished a couple of knitting and sewing projects and am ready to start a couple more!
My youngest had another go at knitting this week, but it was a bit much for her tiny fingers to keep all the stitches on the needles and she got a bit frustrated, so we put it away for a bit.
I also introduced my eldest to a colour wheel. She loves drawing and colouring in so I thought I would let her know there is a way to see what colours work best together.
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I have some exciting news to share with you!
After months in the works, then receiving feedback from the lovely sewists that come to S
Sew&Bond™, making changes, messages back and forth with the supplier, I am releasing a sewing journal - ‘My Sewing Journal’ !🤗
I’ve kept a journal for years and have encouraged others to do the same, but every time I searched for one it just didn’t tick all the boxes for me.
I’ve been using a notebook which has served me well over the years. But I’ve been wanting one with specific prompts so I don’t forget to write important things to look back on later, plus some space to review how my projects are going every so often.
‘My Sewing Journal’ is here to tick all these boxes! It’s here to help you not forget important details of your projects, track progress, plan your projects and review your journey.
Join the waitlist to be able to pre-order it between the 5th-15th of March for an early bird rate and first access to see two more unreleased covers.
The tickets for the Sewn at Midnight Gala are now sold out! 🎉
I want to thank everyone that purchased a ticket! It is going to be an amazing evening with all of you there.
But first, ticket holders, let’s get ready for the open day at Leon’s on the 8th of March!
It’s the perfect chance to not just get gorgeous fabrics at bargain prices for your gala outfit, but also for other upcoming projects (or a stash top-up🤭).
So plan your some projects, make a list so you have some guidance and take advantage of the 25% off!
My partner will also be making some cakes to keep you energised for the mass fabric stroking work you’re going to be doing!
If you haven’t already, please don’t forget to fill in the RSVP form that was sent to your email.
Stitches of the Week
BeeSilva - Lisbon Organiser
This is one of my favourite makes ever!
Yes, I know I say that for basically every project I finish, but seriously, I love this one!
After seeing all the colours come together, the black and white houndstooth with all the pops of colour just brings me joy.
As I was sewing it up, I was checking all the instructions I had written for it back in September 2024. I can’t believe it’s been that long ago!
It was the first bag I started designing, and since I had never designed something from zero by myself, it made me feel like I was taking the next step in my sewing.
Anyway, I had to do some minor tweaks to the pattern because I have learnt so much more since.
I am excited to be running a workshop at Janome where you get to make one for yourself. And best of all is that I will be preparing a kit for each person so you can just come and sew!
I am going to be pre-cutting all the fabric which is the longest part of the process I think, plus the kit will include all the stabilisers, hardware AND the pattern.
Like this you get to go home and make another in your own time if you wish.
The options I have for dates are the 1st or 2nd of April, so if you’re interested in joining us for the day, please let me know which date you prefer.
As for the name, thank you for saying that you liked Lisbon Organiser! ♥️
This is now going to be the name for it.
Fabric: All made in cotton poplin and quilting cotton.
Size: I originally made a small and large version, so this is the larger version.
The Win: It’s finished and gorgeous!
The Drama: I want to make another, but I would also like to move on and make a garment for myself. I haven’t made anything for myself since November.
Summer Lee - Colourblocked Ribbed Socks from The Sock Project book
Bring on the next one because these are finished!
With every stitch, I fall more in love with sock knitting! 😂
The first one seemed a little a waste of time, but I’m glad I gave it a few more tries.
For this pair, the stitch count got sorted in the end, I blended two sizes and I didn’t follow the colorwork the pattern suggested. I just did my own thing.
This is now my fourth pair and I’m not stopping here.
I feel like a pro sock knitter now! 💃🏼
These came out really good and I will definitely repeat this pattern sometime, but I want to make at least one of every sock pattern in the book. Maybe not the basic ones for now, but definitely all those that have colorwork and texture to it.
Yarn: Drops Fabel in Dark Pink and Dolce Sock Wool Dots in Honey Mustard
Size: Size L for the leg and an M for the foot
Needle Size: 2.25mm
The Win: Another pair completed and I love them!
The Drama: I didn’t want to wait for the whole blocking process, so I just wore them to work without doing it! 🤷🏼♀️
Summer Lee - Surf Wax Socks from The Sock Project book
Not even an hour after weaving in the ends on my yellow pair of socks, I cast on for these.
I’m going to make my way through the book and use as much of the sock yarn I already have.
The colour I’m going for next is blue, but I am not quite convinced on the yarn I am using.
The main colour has got different shades of blue, together with a bit of green, white and black specks and I don’t particularly like the combination.
I made a sweater some time ago in 3 shades of blue and I don’t wear it because it doesn’t quite appeal to me. I prefer just a solid blue.
So you may be asking, why am I using this yarn then?
I don’t quite have an answer. 😂
I am hoping that the sock design will make me love it.
I have sewn things from fabrics that I didn’t really care for, but I liked the end result. So fingers crossed this is one of those occasions.
Yarn: Drops Fabel, yarn I got from Portugal and Hobbii Silly Socks Flower Pop in colour 10 (Forget-Me-Not)
Size: I’ve started with an L for the leg.
Needle Size: I cast on with a 2.5mm and then transferred to 2.25mm.
The Win: Another pair in progress!
The Drama: I’m not convinced on the colour scheme of this variegated yarn.
Skill Builder of the Week
Adjusting Your Stitch Length on Curves (and Corners)
If you’re sewing a curve, especially a sharp curve, you could benefit from shortening your stitch length slightly.
If you normally sew at 2.4 mm, lower it to around 2.0–2.2mm just for that section.
This gives a little more control and the curve looks smoother when it’s turned right way out.
You can apply this to corners too.
If you’re sewing up to a pivot point and your stitch length is quite long, you can overshoot the exact corner, then you’re slightly past where you wanted to pivot.
By shortening the stitch length as you come near the corner, it makes it easier to land exactly where you need to pivot. It just gives you more accuracy.
Once you’ve passed this, you can just switch back to your regular stitch length.
This just gives you more control.
Makers Spotlight
This week’s spotlight goes to @new_by_helen!
Helen made these beautiful Summer Lee Soma Socks from the book ‘The Sock Project’!😍
I have been loving pink these last couple of years, so I think it’s the perfect colour choice.
The yarn Helen used is the Opal 6-ply sock yarn.
Want to be featured in my newsletter? Just reply with a pic of your make. I’d love to see what you’ve made!😍
My Sewing Journal - Learn more
Events:
Sew&Bond™ - 28th of February 2026 (SOLD OUT)
Sew&Bond™ - 14th of March 2026 (SOLD OUT)
Sew&Bond™ - 28th of March 2026 (1 Spot Available!)
Sew&Bond™ - 25th of April 2026 (SOLD OUT)
Sew&Bond™ - 30th of May 2026 (3 Spot Available!)
Sew&Bond™ - 27th of June 2026 (3 Spot Available!)
Sew&Bond™ - 11th of July 2026 (10 Spot Available!) - New date
Sew&Bond™ - 25th of July 2026 (3 Spot Available!)
Sew&Bond™ - 15th of Aug 2026 (10 Spot Available!) - New date
Sew&Bond™ - 29th of Aug 2026 (1 Spot Available!)
Workshops:
New Pop-Up Workshop Coming! (Stay tuned)
My Sewing Patterns:
Thanks for reading and happy sewing!
Bye for now, B! xx