‘My Sewing Journal’s Have Arrived!

April 5, 2026 Bianca Silva

Hello, hello!

This week we had our first Sewn at Midnight Gala prep day at Janome!

There were some sparkles, flowers and toiles being worked on and these are going to look gorgeous when finished!

Not everyone was sewing their gala outfits though.

Some (including me 😂) have still not decided on what pattern or fabric to go with. I think we just like to sew under pressure by leaving it for closer to the date.

I haven’t bought my fabric yet, nor have I decided on a pattern.

I know which fabric I want to use, but I am still deciding between a specific pattern or shall I draft my own.

The problem with drafting my own is will I have time to play around and give it all the tweaks it needs?

I just haven’t had the time to get a start on it. And this isn’t the only thing I’ve not started yet.

Remember all that meterage of fabric I bought for the gala?

I’ve not got a move on with that either! 🫠

I have lots of fabric to cut and edges to neaten but it looks like I’m waiting for them to magically be done. 😂

Something else that’s been added to the list this week, is a wedding guest outfit!

And it’s 2 days after the gala. 😱

It’s a small intimate wedding where everyone has been requested to wear pastel colours.

After everyone has chosen theirs, I’ve been ‘allocated’ lilac for my outfit. And of course, I have nothing in that colour.

I have eyed up some fabric at Leon’s Fabrics already, I just need to decide on a pattern so I know how much fabric I need.

Remember last week I mentioned I wanted to run a half marathon?

Well, at Sew&Bond™ this weekend, I found out that a half-marathon was 21 km! 🤯

I thought it was 5k!

So, I might have gotten ahead of myself a little and I need to take a few steps back and work a little harder before I get to that point.

A 10k run seems to be the better option to start off with and see how it goes.

Stitches of the Week

BeeSilva - ‘My Sewing Journal’

After months of work, from choosing designs to receiving feedback from you and waiting for them to be printed, these have finally arrived!!

And they are gorgeous!

I still can’t believe I designed a physical item and it has my name on it!

They are the perfect sewing companions that look pretty on your table and will last you quite a long time with 115 projects to record.

They also make the perfect gift for a sewing friend.

So far, the most popular cover has been the deep purple background with sprinkles. 😍

Thank you to everyone that has purchased one, it’s a feeling like no other having you like and buy my work.

Pre-order now for 15% OFF: https://beesilva.co.uk/products/my-sewing-journal

BeeSilva - Sew&Bond™

This weekend’s Sew&Bond™ was really lovely.

I felt like everyone really, really bonded.

Silence was scarce, the room was filled with chitter chatter and lots of laughs which made the atmosphere really nice.

But everyone got a lot done too.

A mending pile was being tackled which included ripped jeans and holey t-shirts. Then there was also a gala outfit which now only needs some finishing touches.

A stuffed guinea pig was made and I think this was the first toy we have ever had at Sew&Bond™.

And lastly, lots of spring/summer garments were in progress.

I took some fabric to cut another Lisbon Organiser, but I got as far as taking the fabric out of my bag and leaving it on the table. 😂

Summer Lee - Surf Wax Socks from The Sock Project book

These feel like they are taking forever! 😅

This definitely goes to show that when you’re not completely in love with a project, you take longer to finish it.

I started these on the 19th of February and here we are still. I normally take 3-4 weeks to finish a pair and I’ve passed the 5 week mark with these.

There is a little bit to go still. I’ve done just over half the foot, so I need to do the other half now.

So far so good, I’ve made no extra mistakes… that I’ve noticed. 😂

I don’t know what I’m doing with the toes yet in terms of colour. Do I continue in colour or change to cream again like the heel?

Yarn: Drops Fabel, yarn I got from Portugal and Hobbii Silly Socks Flower Pop in colour 10 (Forget-Me-Not)

Size: L for the leg and reduced to an M for the foot.

Needle Size: I cast on with a 2.5mm and then transferred to 2.25mm.

The Win: No mistakes this week, apart

Skill Builder of the Week

Purple Tip Needles

At our Sewn at Midnight Gala sewing day at Janome this week, one of the gala goers was working on a sequin outfit.

It was her first time working with sequins, so I suggested either using a larger needle or removing sequins for an easier experience.

But since we were at Janome headquarters, I thought why not ask what would be the best choice.

They suggested using purple tip needles and it was a success!

No skipped stitches, damaged fabric, broken needles or injuries!

These needles have a ball point tip to prevent fabric thread breakage and a special cobra shaped head.

They are specially designed for:

- Tricky fabrics like knits, synthetics and mixed fibers.
- Quilting multiple layers.
- Embroidery with high density design and/or thick fabrics.
- And of course, sequins!

Janome purple tip needles will help you get fewer skipped stitches, less fabric damage and it’s a great all-rounder when you’re not sure which needle to use.

Let me know if you’ve ever tried them. 😀

Makers Spotlight

This week’s spotlight goes to @blossomsandwich!

Yvette made the perfect holiday set with a gorgeous postcard printed fabric in colours that scream summer!😍

After being gifted 5 meters of this fabric, Cidade Maravilhosa Viscose from Sister Mintaka, she instantly knew it would be perfect for her trip to Rio de Janeiro.

The top is the Swim Style Patterns Andi Top and the trousers are the Sydney Graham Lane Pants.

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 - Pre-order NOW for 15% OFF

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

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