Possibly the last of the year

November 30, 2025 Bianca Silva

Hello, hello!

What a great way to finish this weekend with a lovely Sew&Bond! 🥰

It felt like forever since the last time we got together, so it was nice to catch up with everyone and welcome some new faces.

There were some gorgeous projects in the making and one in particular that I would like to make.

A giant bow bag! 😍

Linda was making the Small Museum Bow Bag for Christmas and it is such a statement piece! Just gorgeous!

Now I want one too!

Just another project that’s going on my never ending list.

Other projects being worked on were Nativity costumes, trousers, blouses, bags and rice filled hand warmers.

It was a day well spent with everyone! Thank you so much for coming! ♥️

I’ve already shared this with everyone on the waitlist, but I’m excited to say it again - the venue for Sewn at Midnight Gala is officially booked!

📅 16 May 2026 (Saturday)

I still feel that same mix of nerves and excitement. The space is everything I hoped for: open enough for energy, yet intimate enough for dressmakers and sewists to truly connect.

More details soon. ❤️

If you haven't, join the waitlist here: https://beesilva.co.uk/pages/sewn-at-midnight-gala

Stitches of the Week

True Bias - Lander Pants

They are now finished, and although I am happy with them, they have come up a pinch too big.

And I even tried them on with basted side seams before sewing the waistband to check the fit and it was fine.

Somehow from then until now, it’s grown.

The fabric was prewashed, but I’m hoping another wash will shrink it a teeny bit more.

Although this is the fourth time I’ve made these trousers now, I’ve just seen that I need to shorten the front crotch.

I don’t know if I just didn’t notice it before, or if it’s due to all the weight loss and that’s why it sits differently on me now. I can actually pinch out about ¾ inch, so it’s definitely something I want to consider next time.

I kept the length of the trousers. It called for a 3 inch hem but I did 3.5 inches and the deep hem gives it a lovely weight.

One of the jeans buttons went in wonky, but only I will ever know, and you, now that I’ve told you. 😂

But you can’t really tell by looking at them buttoned up.

I wore them for Sew&Bond™ on Saturday and they were really comfortable, I just would have preferred them a little tighter.

This is probably going to be the last garment sewing of the year now because I need to make time for all the Christmas bits I want to do.

Fabric: Light weight denim

The Drama: I would have preferred it to be tighter. 🙃

The Win: It’s finished!🥳

Sizing Details: Size 4

Christmas Crafts

I’ve cut a few festive things out this week to get done. And hopefully they get done next week.

I cut out the pink velvet and fleece to make new stockings for my daughter’s. I was playing with the idea of appliqueing their initials on them, so I asked them what they wanted instead of me deciding.

They both said yes, so that’s that sorted! 😂

We chose which fabric we are using for that already, so I just need to cut the letters out.

Then I cut out some shapes and all our initials from felt to make ornaments for our Christmas tree.

I want to do some hand embroidery and add beading too, but that has yet to arrive in the post. So for now, I’m cutting out felt and hoping that whatever I do cut out, I have time to finish.

The Drama: Waiting for a delivery to get going with the ornaments and I just hope I have time to do at least 8!

Take It or Leaf It Sweater - Karas Knit Eng

I’m not where I expected to be, but that’s alright. No pressure! 😂

I’ve had a busy end of the week which is when I mostly get some knitting done, but I did make a little progress on it earlier in the week.

Most of the second sleeve is done. I have some 10 rows to go and then the cuff.

Once this is done, I will do a fit check for the sleeves to decide If I want to add more to the cuffs or leave as is and finish it off with a rolled cuff.

Yarn: Yarnsmiths Create Super Chunky gifted by Wool Warehouse paired with Drops silver thread.

Size: XS

Needle Size: I am using a size 6mm for the ribbing and an 8mm needle for the body. The yarn suggests a 10mm for reference.

The Win: I’m on the home stretch now! 🎉

Skill Builder of the Week

Free Festive Patterns

With Christmas just around the corner, I know many of us like to make some festive bits for ourselves and loved ones.

This week I want to share with you some free sewing patterns that I am using to make ornaments and gifts for my family.

- Christmas Stocking

I’ve already cut a pair of these stockings out and they are quite large. I love the size of them because I can get larger size stocking fillers in compared to the ones we’ve been using in previous years.

Link here

- Alphabet Felt Ornament

I’ve cut our initials out and I want to bling them up for our Christmas tree. These would be great to make as gifts as well!

Link here

- Oven Mitt

My partner has been asking for one for a while, so I hope to get around to it. 😅 I’ve bought the insul bright already, so I just cut it all out.

Link here