Sew&Bond™ ❤️

March 1, 2026 Bianca Silva

Hello, hello!

It’s been a little bit of a shopping week.

I bought the last of the fabric I need for the Sewn at Midnight Gala!

I got a whole roll with 57 meters on it!

Our event decorator said she needed quite a lot of fabric for the décor we spoke about, a total of 51 meters, but would definitely make use of extra if I was able to get more.

Part of this fabric is going to be used for our photo backdrop area and the colour is ivory.

I’m telling you now about this detail in case it influences your choice of colour for your outfit for the evening.

Then I also got some fabric for my upcoming workshop at Janome (which is now sold out) and it was fun choosing all the prints and colours.

I got animal print, gingham, stripes, polka dots, florals and solids.

Many times there are colours and prints you wouldn’t normally put together, but playing around and adding three or four colours/prints just brings them all together.

I still need to get some more bits for the kits which I need to order next week in case there are any delivery delays.

And speaking of delays, there has been a delay in printing ‘My Sewing Journal’s. I haven’t been given an expected date, but I hope it doesn’t affect the timeline I have provided you.

In the meantime, I’ve started using the sample journal I received and I love it!

The bit I’m enjoying the most is sketching out my projects. I’ve never been good at drawing, but putting the project onto paper like that just brings more colour to the pages.

Plus it’s been really nice to have all the prompts so I don’t forget to write anything down.

This journal is not a simple sewing journal, it’s a journal that encourages you to grow from start to finish while documenting your projects.

It encourages you to write down things you want to learn and projects you would like to make that possibly include the techniques you want to learn.

Every 15 projects you can review what you have made and learned up to that point and decide if you would like to continue or change some plans.

Learn more here

Stitches of the Week

BeeSilva - Sew&Bond™

We had a great Saturday at our February Sew&Bond™!

We were joined by some who we hadn’t seen for a while and it was nice to catch up with them and the projects they were working on.

There were lots of Sewn at Midnight gala outfits talk and it’s all getting exciting because the Leon’s Fabrics shopping day is next week Sunday! 🤩

There were some working on toile number 2 for the gala, while others worked on pillow cases, dresses, tops, sweaters, pouches and children’s clothing.

The food was delicious, we had a new item on the menu this time - a lemon cake. It was so good there was not even a crumb left!

Thank you very much for coming and spending the day with us! ♥️

Ellie & Mac - Woven Pyjama Trousers (Free Pattern)

I have finally made a start on something for my partner!

At the beginning of winter he asked me for some pyjama trousers, but only now at the end of winter am I getting around to it. 😂

Better late than never.

This started as a little surprise, I didn’t want him to know I was working on it.

I sewed the pockets and the legs up to where I needed to add the waistband before he knew about it.

I used the same pattern I used for him before because they still looked like they fit pretty well.

But I couldn’t move on without knowing if they really fit him, so I asked him then to try them on and I also measured him then for potential future projects.

He was pretty pleased I was finally making him something and I hope this keeps him happy for the next three years. 😂

When I made them a couple of years ago, I wrote in my sewing journal that I took 1 inch off the top of the trousers, but I don’t remember if I adjusted it on the paper or if I removed it after fitting them.

They looked alright though when he tried them on so I’m leaving it for now. They are supposed to be baggy anyway.

Fabric: Brushed Cotton duvet from ASDA (UK supermarket) I got 5 years ago.

Size: Medium

The Win: Not for me, but for my partner - he is finally going to get some pj trousers.

The Drama: Took a risk with the sizing but it seems like it looks ok after he tried it on.

Summer Lee - Surf Wax Socks from The Sock Project book

I don’t know if I like them. 😐

I kind of knew this was coming.

The yarn colourway in the chevron stitch isn’t doing it for me right now.

Looking at the pictures in the book and some of them on Instagram, they look really pretty, but I think mine just look a mess. 😂

Is it a case of, do I need to continue and see when I have the leg portion done, or do I finish the sock and hope the blocking stage just brings it all together?

I've thought about removing all stitches up to the ribbing and just doing something else, but I have hopes that I will be happily surprised by the finished pair.

We can’t win them all, but I am happy to fight on and see where it goes.

They are keeping me attentive in that it is an eight row repeat, so I need to keep checking the instructions every row to see what I need to do next.

Currently, about a third of the leg is done.

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

Press, Press, Press

If you want your seams, collars and facings to look crisp instead of homemade, don’t skip this step.

Press every seam as you go!

After stitching a seam, first press it exactly as sewn - flat, without opening it. This sets the stitches into the fabric and allows the thread to settle into the fibres.

Then press the seam open or to one side. This further smooths the stitches into the fabric and reduces bulk.

A tailor’s ham and clapper will also help you shape seams nicely.

Pressing reduces puckering and keeps seams sharp and professional looking.

It doesn’t take long to do, but it definitely makes all the difference.

Think of your iron as your sewing machine’s best friend, they should be on together.

It’s a small habit, but one, your projects will thank you for and two, you will be proud of.

Makers Spotlight

This week’s spotlight goes to @mazzlesmakes!

Maz made these pj shorts with this gorgeous fabric that I would describe as romantic. 😍

They are the Sew Over It Ultimate Pyjamas and the fabric is from Fabrics Galore London.

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!😍

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

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

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