Welcome

… to issue 86 of Love Sewing

CONTRIBUTORS

Awarded an MBE for her services to dressmaking, Alison

love Sewing loves…

The patterns, people, fabric and finds getting us sewing this month

Stacey’s CORNER

Stacey Chapman is a renowned textile artist and free-motion

IN THE GOOD BOOKS

Our pick of this month’s new sewing and dressmaking books

Express YOURSELF

We caught up with Sewing Bee finalist Matt Gage to discover what’s next for his creative talent!

History of WOMEN’S TROUSERS

Who wears the trousers? These days, they’re a wardrobe staple for most women. But travel back even a few decades and it was a very different story

Reader Review Threadcount 2009

Maria Bateson reviews this issue’s fabulous fit-and-flare dress pattern

MASTERCLASS STAY IN CHECK

We’ve rounded up the expert advice you’ll need for sewing checked fabric with success

JOIN LOVE SEWING TODAY!

Exclusive designs from The McCall Pattern Company with every issue

The Big STITCH

The Big Stitch returns this October to raise vital funds for heart research while encouraging stitchers up and down the country to get creative!

Cap it off

Alison Smith MBE shares how to add a chic cap sleeve to last month’s Threadcount 2008 shirt dress

GIVEAWAY

Win the Janome DKS30 sewing machine with our exclusive giveaway

Fall for PRINTS

Show some personality this autumn with our pick of charming prints from Lady McElroy

The Dressmaker’s DIARY

Elisalex shares how she is embracing her creativity and new beginnings this autumn

ALL STITCHED UP

This family-run business based in Colne, Lancashire has been proudly equipping sewists with fabric and haberdashery supplies for over 90 years

Cosy on DOWN

Our pick of snuggly sweatshirts to keep you warm all season long

All but INVISIBLE

A concealed zip is such a great way to finish a garment as it is beautifully hidden. Wendy Gardiner, Brand Ambassador for The McCall Pattern Company provides her top tips

My relationship with AFRICAN FABRIC

Lena King speaks about her changing attitude towards African fabric and how it has shaped her creative identity

ONLINE workshops

Sign up to one of these top workshops and expand your sewing horizons

Shows you how to… READ A PATTERN

Each line relates to a different size for the garment.

ESSENTIAL STITCH SETTINGS

ACHIEVE THE PERFECT FIT

First, you need to work out how much additional space

THRIFTY STITCHER

Claire-Louise Hardie shares her top three tips from life as a professional costumier

MACHINE REVIEW

This month we’re taking a closer look at must-try embroidery machines

READERS’ MAKES

Get in touch letters@lovesewingmag.co.uk

Next month in Love Sewing

THE UK’S NO.1 SEWING MAGAZINE

This month I’m making CLOSET CORE PATTERNS Jasika Blazer

Mel Thorley chooses a pretty pastel linen to make this fabulous fitted blazer. See more of Mel’s makes on her Instagramhandmadebyditsytulip

JUMP for joy!

This month’s cover star is a gorgeous and versatile jumpsuit, with a chic v-neck and two pocket options!

DRESS To Impress

These fit-and-flare dresses are so flattering and versatile, we might have to make one for every day of the week

It’s a WRAP!

This ballet wrap top is a versatile addition to any wardrobe. Try it in a fun print for daytime relaxing or a sophisticated solid for evenings out

MAKERS gonna make

Keep your crafty supplies close by with this handy organiser caddy

Take FLIGHT

Let your creativity take flight with this fabulous floaty Sophia skirt from Simple Sew

Vintage VIBES

Stumbled across some vintage scraps? Why not make an elegantly simple throw cushion that lets the fabric do the talking?

Pin-up ICON

Display your favourite pins and brooches in style with Martha’s scrap-busting pennant pattern

Strike a CORD

These smart trousers are perfect for autumn. Wear with a tucked-in T-shirt or blouse to show off the fun button-up detail

Push the BUTTON

Learn to sew a stand collar and a hidden placket while brushing up on your buttonholes and princess seams!

DINNER is served

Follow this easy-peasy method to create a set of nifty Christmas napkins with mitred corners that you can reuse year after year

Welcome to our Christmas special!

The Love Sewing team is super excited for the festive

SNOOPY

Sew your very own Snoopy with this easy-to-follow softie pattern

FESTIVE FABRIC we love

Festive fabric to get you in the holiday spirit!

Let it SNOW

This cheery character appears each year to say ‘Christmas is coming!’ to excited children and grown-ups alike

Rockin’ ROBINS

These cheeky little robins are simple and fun to make - string them along a cord to make birdy bunting, or hang them individually from the tree

Kindling BAG

Make this sturdy bag to store kindling close to hand. Its bold, graphic fabric and the angle of the handles give it a strong look, and the wide mouth makes it easy to fill

Home sweet HOME

This little cross stitch and patchwork pillow takes inspiration from traditional house and garden samplers, with an easy-to-follow cross stitch chart and pretty fabric borders

Percy penguin PUPPET

Not only can this critter scrub all the grubbiness off, but it might also inspire an impromptu bathtime puppet show!

Christmas cutlery POUCHES

Extend the enchantment to your table by taking as much care over the presentation as with the cooking with these adorable animals, embroidered onto cutlery pouches

Winter OWLS

You could add dried lavender or cinnamon to these owls to fill your home with a festive aroma

My deer FRIEND

This adorable deer toy is easy to sew using soft cotton fabric and would make a sweet gift. There are two pretty patchwork dresses to make too, perfect for using up scraps!

Treetop TABLEMATS

Add a modern, fresh look to your Christmas dining table with these quilted placemats

Stripy STOCKING

Make a striped stocking using patchwork patterned fabric trimmed with pompoms to create your own family heirloom