A Smashing Event at Janome!
Bianca SilvaHello, hello!
What a week of celebrations!!
On Wednesday was the much awaited 7 year celebration I hosted at Janome HQ and it was a smashing day!
Everyone was provided with a Janome sewing machine for the day and I loved seeing what everyone was working on.
There were bags, skirts, blouses, coats, pj’s and dresses! All made up in gorgeous fabrics!
Catering was provided, but we still had to add something homemade - like cake and muffins!
And we had such amazing sponsors too! There were 3 grand prize draws and 2 goodie bags, one curated by Janome and another by me.
The day was filled with such warmth from everyone! If help or suggestions were needed, there was always someone willing to lend their expertise. The smiles, the laughter, the chats over tea and cake, the unpicked seams and the finished ones, it’s a day to remember!
Thank you so much to everyone that joined, it wouldn’t have been the same without you! ♥️
The celebrations didn’t end there though, it was my birthday too!
On my birthday morning I came downstairs to some cake with a candle in it and my family singing happy birthday. 🥰
My partner made me a cake to take to work for everyone and I came home to a gorgeous sushi banquet and another birthday cake. I had no space left though for the second birthday cake, I left it for the day after. 😂
Thank you to everyone who wished me a happy birthday! I don’t feel a day older than 25!
On another celebratory note, I shared with you last week that I am organising the Sewn at Midnight Gala™ to celebrate the makers behind every stitch!
We have created a waiting list due to demand. - Join here!
By joining, you will get early access to tickets, early birds prices and updates on the event planning process (plus a few other perks!🤫). This event is being created for you so we would love to hear about what you would like to be included.
Join the waitlist here!
Stitches of the Week
Violette Field Threads - Audrina Skirt and Tilly and The Buttons - Lyra
I finished it in time! 💃🏼
And I am very happy with the result!
I did have to ignore my responsibilities on Monday and focus on the outfit to make sure I could just finish it and not have to leave it for Tuesday, the day before the event I was wearing it to.
I finished the top first, but I had to give a sample to my partner and have him go out and buy matching buttons. He ended up bringing 6 buttons and a multipack back which was probably the safest option because the 6 were too large for the button stand I created.
Luckily the multipack had the size buttons I wanted and the amount I needed which was 7.
Lastly, I did a rolled hem on both lining and organza fabric and inserted the 2 inch wide elastic into the back waistband.
I had initially cut a length of elastic I measured against my body, and anchored it on one side only by stitching in the ditch in the side seam. I thought it was best to try it on before anchoring the other side and I’m so glad I did.
I ended up putting the skirt on another 2 times and cutting off some elastic each time. I cut off a total of 4.5 inches. And once I was happy, I stitched it down.
Then the elastic started to roll a lot in the waistband making it look a bit ugly and uncomfortable, so for this I ended up making about 8 tacks at various positions on the back waistband to stop it from moving.
I felt really good in it, the colours just put me in a good mood and I got so many compliments on it too! 🥰
What I noticed when I got home was that I had ripped the organza! 😭
I remember stepping on my skirt getting up from the floor and I am pretty certain that’s when I ripped it.
It’s not a massive rip, but I am going to see if I can do a few stitches to hold it together. I like the skirt too much to just not wear it again.
Fabric: Red swiss dot organza, red polycotton, red floral cotton lawn.
The Drama: I ripped it!
The Win: Got it finished on time and I love the outcome!
Sizing Details: Skirt size 6 - one size larger than measurements for extra gathers. Top size 2 - widened sleeves by ½ as they were too tight on a previous version.
True Bias - Lander Pants
With my red outfit finished, I can go back to this plan.
A few weeks ago you helped me choose between 2 patterns I was indecisive about and I had picked the fabric for it too.
First, I had to trace out a new size. Since the first time I made these pants, I have had to trace 3 different sizes because of how much my body has changed over the last 3ish years.
I’ve made the shorts version, the long version and I am wondering if I want to make the longer version again, or go for the ankle length.
If I go for the ankle length, I need to think about the colour of the socks I want to wear. If I go for the longer version, I won’t see my socks so it doesn’t matter.
I will probably cut the longer length, see how I feel and if I want to go for the ankle length, I will just chop some off.
I am also considering a zip fly instead of buttons like all the others I made. 🤔
I will decide when I get to that part.
Fabric: Light weight denim
The Drama: What length do I choose? What closure do I want to go with-buttons or zip?
The Win: I have started cutting it out! 💪
Sizing Details: Size 4
Skill Builder of the Week
Tracing Patterns Out
I used to use kids' art paper to trace my patterns, but my local shop has stopped stocking them, so I had to make a new plan.
I started using brown paper for its sturdiness but it is definitely harder to see through.
My previous method was to tape everything to a window and use it as a light box, but as we go into winter, the days get shorter leaving me with less light to use.
So this is what I started doing:
- I lay the brown paper down first on my cutting mats.
- Put the paper pattern over the top.
- Use masking tape to keep everything in place, but I get rid of some of it’s stick by patting it on my clothes to get some fibres on.
- Use a tracing wheel and go over the lines of the size I want. I also use it to transfer any markings.
- Once I remove the pattern, the brown paper is full of little holes.
- Some that are harder to see I use a ruler and pen to connect the dots, others I am guided by them and just cut out my new pattern pieces.
This has made tracing slightly quicker, but also I don’t have to struggle to see the pattern shining through brown paper on a window.
Makers Spotlight
This week’s spotlight goes to @you_cansew!
Cath made these gorgeous and fun Coe Trousers and I couldn’t agree more with her - they are epic!
The fabric is from the Fabric Godmother Primary Play collection in a denim base and it is a show stopper! 🤩
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 (7 Spots Left!)
Sew&Bond™ - 28th of February 2026 (2 Spots Left!)
Sew&Bond™ - 28th of March 2026 (1 Spot has become available!)
Sew&Bond™ - 25th of April 2026 (SOLD OUT)
(I will be adding extra dates in January and March!)
Sewn at Midnight Gala™- Join the waitlist!
Workshops:
Build Your Confidence in Sewing Workshop
From Fabric to Finished Tote Bag Workshop
My Sewing Patterns:
Thanks for reading and happy sewing!
Bye for now, B! xx