The Maker's Journal // Issue 1
As we look toward the next few weeks in isolation, I find myself being extremely grateful that I have hobbies and skills that allow me to be productive and keep my hands busy. I know I am fortunate to have a sewing machine and overlocker, a sizeable fabric stash and a tower of sewing books and patterns to hand but there are so many free resources out there as well as easy projects that you can tackle at this time with basic tools. I am going to begin a journal of simple projects and a database of resources that will help you on your way to feeling more confident with your own sewing. Whether you’re a seasoned sewer and are looking for some inspiration or you’re a total novice and need a simple project to take your mind off the news, this is the place to be!
Free Sewing Patterns
There are loads of free sewing patterns out there which can be downloaded as a PDF file and printed at home. The pattern will print on A4 pages and can be pieced together. Make sure your printer isn’t condensing the file to fit the page as this will distort the pattern. To ensure your printer isn’t doing this, there will be a test square on one of the pages. Print this page first and measure it to make sure the pattern is the correct scale before committing to printing the complete pattern.
If you don’t have access to a printer at home (or don’t fancy piecing the pattern together yourself) then most patterns will have an A0 file too. You can send this file to an online service such as Patternsy https://www.patternsy.com/ or Net Printer https://www.netprinter.co.uk/ and they will print and deliver a full scale pattern sheet to your door for as little as £1.50.
Peppermint Magazine
Peppermint Magazine is a great resource for simple, stylish and free sewing patterns. It’s an Australian Magazine which has a free sewing pattern with every issue. You can download the sewing pattern via their website just by subscribing to their mailing list and they have the full back catalogue of 45 patterns available. My favourites are the wrap top and jumpsuit designed by In The Folds but there are loads of lovely styles to choose from. These two have been on my make list for a long time so I might actually get around to it soon! Click in the images above to take you to the patterns.
https://peppermintmag.com/sewing-school/
Make Your Own Hair Bobbles
This quick and easy project is a great one to tackle with kids. It uses hardly any fabric and only the very basic sewing equipment. If you don’t have much fabric to hand then you could use an old item of clothing or even cut up an old tea towel.
What you’ll need:
A tiny piece of fabric
A needle
Thread
A hair bobble
Paper
Pen or pencil
Ruler or measuring tape
Scissors
How To:
Firstly, create your pattern. You will need an oval approximately 8 x 12 cm and a rectangle 4.5 x 6 cm. Draw this on to paper and cut out.
Fold your fabric in half and pin your oval pattern to a double layer of the fabric. If you don’t have pins then just draw around the paper. Cut around your pattern piece.
Pin/draw around your rectangular pattern piece on a single layer of fabric. Cut around your pattern piece.
Place your two ovals on top of each other with right sides together and the wrong side of the fabric facing out and pin. Fold your rectangle in half long ways, again with the wrong side facing out.
Sew, by hand or with a machine, around the oval about 0.5cm from the edge of the fabric. Leave an opening of about 3cm at the bottom of your oval so you can turn it to the right side. Sew down the long side of the rectangle too leaving the top and bottom open.
Turn the oval to the right side through the opening. Tuck in the raw edges of the opening and press the whole piece so that you have a nice crisp edge.
Turn the rectangle inside out too. This can be a bit tricky so use something blunt, like a paintbrush or end of a pencil to help if needed. Roll the seam to the middle of the back and press in to place.
Sew the opening on the oval closed as close to the edge as possible, again with a sewing machine or by hand.
Pinch your oval in the centre to make your bow shape. Place the rectangle over the top and pin in the middle to hold the shape. You could use a hair clip if you don’t have pins.
Turn your bow over and place your bobble in the crease at the back.
Fold the raw edges of the rectangle under and overlap them to create a neat finish.
Sew in to place to complete! .
There you have it! If you have a go yourself, then please send me a picture! I’d love to see what you make and share it on our instagram! Happy Sewing!
Other Resources
The Fold Line is a great resource for sewers. It is a shop and database of all independent sewing patterns as well as a blog and vlog to inspire you with your next makes. The lovely ladies at The Fold Line are not currently dispatching physical products due to the lock down but they do have lots of PDF patterns available to purchase. They have a handy search bar on their site where you can put in all the details you are looking for from a pattern including size, shape and style and they will show you what the indie sewing world has to offer. It’s so great to have all the patterns in one place.
On their YouTube channel, they have a really popular series called ‘Sew The Trends’ where Kate goes round the big high street shops to see what’s in fashion and then compiles a list of sewing patterns which fit the bill so you can make your own. Watch the latest edition here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NZTn05HK25I
Work in Progress:
As I am currently spending far more time at home than normal, I’m finally getting around to all the projects that have been on my to do list for a very long time including the Solina Dress from Named Clothing’s book, ‘Breaking The Pattern’. I bought this Liberty paisley print about 5 years ago for the bargain price of £5 a metre and it has been lying dormant since then! I thought that these two would be a good match and had intended to make this to wear for Christmas day but, needless to say, that never happened! Now’s the time so watch this space! Does anyone else have this book? Anyone made this dress? I’d love to hear from you!
I hope that this inspires a few of you to get sewing or just alleviates a little boredom for today! Please leave me a comment below with what you’re up to, what you’ve been making and if you’ve tried any of these projects. I’ve got a few more tutorials planned as well as free pattern guides and more works in progress from my never ending list so tune in later in the week for more updates.
This will pass and we will have lots of lovely new handmade things to show off on the other side!
Sending lots of love,
Rebecca
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