Patchwork Heart Quilted Pouch

Hello, hello!

There has been lots of preparation for the Sewn at Midnight Gala this week!

We’ve been working on the food menu, booking a guest appearance, speaking with the event decorator, working out a suitable agenda for the evening, it’s been busy!

Yet there is still so much to go.

The latest and final announcements went out this week.

There will be a pre-gala sewing session at Janome HQ for ticket holders. This event is included in the ticket and it’s a chance for you to carve out the time to work on your outfit for the big day. How exciting!

This means that ticket holders can get fabric at the open day at Leon’s Fabrics first, have time to wash it if necessary, and then have a sewing session to work on the outfit.

Plus we will have Luke-Matthew (Sewing Bee Winner 2024) joining us for an on-stage conversation.

Tickets will be going on sale at an early bird rate on the 23rd of January at 8AM for those on the waitlist - £79 (10% OFF) and this is a limited offer. After the first week, tickets will be available at a standard price of £87.

I worked on a couple of sewing projects that weren’t for me this week. One was to replace a broken zip on a football shirt for my friend’s son and another was requested by my daughter’s teacher.

Just before Christmas her teacher gave me 22 felt squares that the kids had decorated and didn’t put a time frame on the delivery date. Thank goodness! 😂

Because I only managed to get to it this week. 

I laid all the squares out and moved the colours around so that no two the same colours were next to each other. Not all squares were the same size, so in some parts I stretched them a little so everything would match up and look neater.

Then I added some green felt I had at home over the top to create a loop where a dowel or broomstick could be inserted. The teacher said the plan is to hang it up in their classroom for all the children to see.

I have now been asked by the teacher if I can go into school a little earlier one day so the children can have a chance to say thank you for putting them all together. ♥️

This week also saw me make the first crafty purchases of the year.

I borrowed The Quilting Book from the library but I haven’t had much time to have a proper read or start the quilt I had planned, and I can only renew the book so many times. 😂

So I decided to get myself a copy to be able to get to it in my own time. Like this I can pick up on that quilt I said I wanted to make whenever I want to.

Then ALDI had (or are still having) a middle aisle full of knitting things - yarn, knitting needles and other little bits. I spotted a yarn bowl which I had thought about getting for a while but I can’t remember ever coming across one in real life. So I took the opportunity to get myself the white one with small hearts and dots all over. 

On Saturday we had our first Sew&Bond of the year!

It was lovely to see everyone again and welcome new faces too. I really missed seeing everyone together, showing off their stitches, eating and sharing their knowledge!

Some of the projects being worked on this time were peg bags, a skirt, a few dresses, a quilted jacket and scrunchies!

Thank you so much for coming, it was a brilliant start to the Sew&Bond’s of 2026! ♥️

All Sew&Bond™ events are now sold out until April. (There is one spot available on the 11th of February!).

New dates will be released next week, and if you want to join us, the best way is to subscribe to the newsletter. Newsletter subscribers always hear first, and these events will sell out again.

 

 

Stitches of the Week

 

BeeSilva - Patchwork Quilted Heart Zippered Bag

It’s finished and I love it!

I love the size, the heart, the striking background, the ruffle, everything!

Zipper pouches/bags are one of my favourite things to make and this was no exception!

In case you’ve missed it, I am running a workshop at Janome HQ where you can make this pouch too, either for you or to give to a special someone.♥️

And since I know that some people are put off patchwork because of all the cutting, I am pre-preparing some kits for the day so you can just begin sewing!

I will guide you through the whole process and I’m keeping the group a small size so I can get to everyone because naturally, everyone works at different paces.

Sewing machines and all the tools necessary for the project will be provided, as well as food and drinks. All you need to worry about is coming!

There are only 4 spaces left now, so if you would like to join us for the day, it’s going to be on Thursday, 5th of February from 10am to 2pm and you can book your spot here:

https://beesilva.co.uk/products/patchwork-heart-quilted-zipper-pouch

I am now in the process of making another one, but changing a few of the fabrics. I am still using the solid black, and I’m pairing it with a black and white houndstooth print for the background and making the heart red this time. The ruffle is going to be black again.

Fabric: Cotton

The Challenge: Trying not to think about all the possible colour combo’s I can make this pouch in all day long!

The Win: Pouch number 2 is in the making!

Leap Year Socks - Summer Lee

I’ve made a few mistakes!

I’ve gotten distracted a couple of times where I purled a knit stitch instead of slipping it. When they are on my feet way down on the floor, they aren’t noticeable so I’m just letting them pass.

I’ve dropped a lot of stitches too. They are really tiny to see, plus I pulled the needle completely off one side of the sock leaving 30 odd live stitches free! That was a little stressful, especially because I did it sitting in a waiting room where I got called mid trying to pick them all up. 😶🌫️

I actually asked the attendant to bear with me for a few seconds when I reached her desk because I wouldn’t be able to concentrate knowing that I had runaway stitches.

So you know I’m knitting both socks at the same time and using the magic loop method. When I turn to knit the other side of the sock, I pull a little firmly to avoid having a hole because of the stitches stretching from one side to the other. But I didn’t notice that my yarn got caught on my stitch marker and left a massive gap (like a yarn over, but like 2 cm long!), TWICE! On the same side!

I wasn’t going to undo all those stitches, so I’ve tried to stretch the area in all directions to spread it a little but you can definitely see it’s not right. I’m hoping in the blocking process, (which I’ve never done on any of my socks 😅) I can fix it more.

The foot part is about halfway done, so not long left to go.

Yarn: Yarnsmiths Merino Sock in Pistachio gifted by Wool Warehouse and Drops Fabel

Size: M

Needle Size: 2mm and 2.5mm

The Drama: Too many mistakes this week!

Skill Builder of the Week

 

Polyester Thread vs. Cotton Thread 

Polyester and cotton threads behave very differently, so choosing the right one can make a difference in how your project holds up over time.

Polyester thread is strong, durable, and has a slight amount of stretch. That flexibility allows stitches to move with the fabric which makes it perfect for garments and everyday sewing. It will also hold well with frequent washing and general wear which means seams are less likely to pop.

Cotton thread is made from natural fibers and has little to no stretch. Because of this it can be more likely to snap on garments, especially in stress areas like underarms or fitted seams. Even when sewing cotton fabric, the fabric may give slightly with use, but the cotton thread does not.

Cotton thread would be best suited for quilting, decorative sewing and other projects that won’t be pulled or stretched.

 

Makers Spotlight

This week’s spotlight goes to @pocketortwo!

How gorgeous are these trainers that Dani made! 😍

The materials to make these came from various sources:

- Pattern, soles, needle and thread are from SneakerKit purchased from What The Fabric
- Fabric is from Tula Pink and Adams Sews
- Hardware is from the Trimming Shop

I would love to make my own trainers one day! Just imagine being able to match it to your outfit!  Too much or too cool? 😂

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

 

Events:

Sew&Bond™ - 31st of January 2026 (SOLD OUT)
Sew&Bond™ - 11th of February 2026 (1 Spot Left!)
Sew&Bond™ - 28th of February 2026 (SOLD OUT)
Sew&Bond™ - 14th of March 2026 (SOLD OUT)
Sew&Bond™ - 28th of March 2026 (SOLD OUT)
Sew&Bond™ - 25th of April 2026 (SOLD OUT)

👉Sewn at Midnight Gala™- Join the waitlist!

Workshops:

Patchwork Heart Quilted Zipper Pouch Workshop (4 Spot Left!)
Build Your Confidence in Sewing Workshop
From Fabric to Finished Tote Bag Workshop

My Sewing Patterns:

Roma Necessaire
Paphos Pouch

 

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