Simply Sewing magazine – latest issues

Issue 85 is on sale today! We’ve been working on some exciting new columns and we can’t wait to hear what you think. First up we have a brand-new pattern review column, and Rumana from The Little Pomegranate kicks this off for us reviewing the Davenport Dress (p42). John Scott’s column has also transformed into the Sewing Surgery! Find your questions answered on page 15.

We also had a very special contributor this issue! Sewing Bee 2021 winner Serena Baker shares her top 10 patterns for beginners as well as some invaluable tips for newbie sewists (p48). 

If you don’t already have a jumpsuit in your wardrobe, after sewing this you’ll wonder how you ever went without! The Ava Jumpsuit is fit for any occasion as it’s such an easy piece to dress up or down, just a simple swap of heels to trainers completely transforms your look. For effortless glamour and sophistication, this pattern is sure to become your new favourite.

Don’t let the buttons on this put you off! Learn how to sew buttonholes with our simple guide.

The Nora Cardigan from Tilly and the Buttons is your ‘just in case’ layer for the summer and your ‘can’t go without’ layer for the autumn. You’ll get heaps of wear out of this jersey cardigan, and if you love this flowery version as much as we do, turn to page 44 for our similar fabric suggestions. (Model: Megan Valero, @pigeonwishes)

If you’re looking for an easy-sew summer dress to pair this with, try this free dressmaking tutorial from Portia Lawrie.

They got us through lockdown, and we’re not ready to part with them yet… yes, we’re talking about joggers! We might be back to our office wardrobe by day, but there’s no denying that we’re still jumping straight into some comfy clothes when we’re back home. Treat yourself to a new pair of joggers to relax in with Portia Lawrie’s patternless tutorial in issue 85 (p70).

If you want to go all-out with your lounging, make a cosy pom-pom throw to snuggle up in too!

Other projects in this issue include:

• A cute bunny toy
• Handy underbed storage bags
• A summery bucket bag
• A patternless tiered maxi skirt

Subscribe by 17th August to get our September issue which comes with three exciting patterns and a focus on sustainable sewing. If you sign up now you’ll also get a lovely sewing machine bag! Click here to subscribe today.

• If you can’t get to the shops right now, you can buy your copy online here: www.buysubscriptions.com/back-issues/simply-sewing-back-issues. Alternatively, click here to find your local stockist.

Catch up with our latest issues

Missed our recent magazines or looking to find a project you’ve seen online? We’ve put together this library of our most recent magazines so you can find the one you need! You can browse our recent back issues in our online store or if the print copy you want has sold out, download our app to get a digital issue.

Issue 84

• Mayfair dress pattern
• Lauren blouse pattern
• Margot bag pattern
• John Scott’s round-up of this year’s series of The Great British Sewing Bee
• A cuddly lion toy
• An easy-sew sleepover set for kids
• An on-trend patternless gingham dress
• Six makes for days at the seaside
• Colourful cushions for your garden

Issue 83 – sold out

• Penny dress pattern
• Deer and Doe’s Azara Skirt pattern
• Jess Entwistle’s al fresco dining set
• Rainbow embroidery hoop
• A super-cute cat toy that comes with its own wardrobe
• A gorgeous duster jacket from Juliet Uzor
• A Sewing Bee pinafore dress refashion
• A workshop all about buttonholes

Issue 82

• The Fiona dress and tiered top set
• Emelien jumper
• Anna tote
• Extract from Chinelo Bally’s new book, Sew Chinelo
• Six gifting makes for pristine presentation 
• A patternless lightweight summer jacket 
• A guide to fabric shopping online 
• A cute rag doll toy 

Issue 81 – sold out

• Amelia set
• Kids’ dungarees
• Get to know your sewing machine booklet
• Interviews with Joe, Patrick and Esme about this year’s Sewing Bee series!
• Six makes to organise your sewing space
• A colourful apron
• A pretty giraffe toy

Issue 80 – sold out

• Carnaby dress
• Aisling blouse
• Suzie satchel
• Six laminate makes for rainy days
• An adorable Dalmatian plushie toy
• A lightweight dressing gown for spring
• A super-easy patternless skirt 
• A fun ruffle cushion for kids

Issue 79

• Wrap dress pattern
• Carrie cardigan
• Twiggy tote
• A sweet pony toy
• A feature all about sewing for positivity
• A pair of patternless wide-leg trousers
• Six makes for a spring refresh
• An upcycled blanket cape

Issue 78

• Carnaby dress
• Verna top
• Beginner’s guide to toymaking booklet
• Transformation projects – turn a shirt into a skirt and revive an old jumper
• Make a super handy drawstring bag
• Six self-care makes
• A good read all about male makers

Issue 77

• Wrap skirt
• Riley backpack
• A children’s PJ case
• A sausage dog toy
• Two gorgeous refashion projects
• A feature focused on zero-waste patterns

Issue 76

• Juliet Dress from Fiona Hesford
• Kimmy Top from Seamingly Smitten
• Patternless coatigan from Portia Lawrie
• Six cosy home projects from Jessica Entwistle

Issue 75

• Jewel dress pattern
• Luxe gold tote bag pattern
• Patternless wrap
• Kid’s sweatshirt pattern from Martyna at MadeByMePatterns.
• Plushie reindeer from Jo Carter
• A penguin plushie toy from Lucy Ward
• Some jolly kitchen accessories for Christmas hosting
• A playmat for kids

Issue 74

• Polly Top
• Orion Set from I Am Patterns
• Bonus Christmas gifts to sew booklet
• A patternless button-up skirt
• A pretty ballerina mouse toy
• A super-useful duffle bag
• A workshop on sewing rolled hems

Issue 73

• Tunic Dress Pattern
• Girl’s Party Dress Pattern
• Oversize tote
• A plush owl toy
• Gorgeous gift makes in Her & History fabric
• A patternless wrap skirt
• Our first Christmas project of the year… it’s beginning!

Issue 72

• Apron Dress Sewing Pattern
• The Strip Tee from Madeit Patterns
• John Scott launches his new column
• A cheeky monkey plushie
• A patternless maxi dress made from a duvet
• A patchwork cushion for your home
• A range of gifts in fun cat fabric!

Issue 71

• On sale July 2020
• Sew Over It’s Lottie Dress pattern
• Sewing Bee debrief
• Desk makes to brighten up your workspace
• Cosy and easy to make pjs
• Casual summer cover up
• Adorable lion toy

Issue 70

• Maxi Dress from The Great British Sewing Bee: Sustainable Style
• How to make a face mask: 3 ways to sew your own
• Breakfast-time makes
• Fluffy piglet toy
• Girl’s sundress
• Fun retro bumbag

Issue 69

• The Drape Dress
• The Beginner’s Guide to Dressmaking
• Patternless tulle skirt
• Jungle playroom makes
• A feature all about our favourite creative and sewing-based podcasts
• A sweet treat in the form of a super fun ice cream bag
• An adorable fluffy kitten toy – it has its own bell, too!

Issue 68

• The Vivian Dress
• The Staple Cami
• The Breton Top
• Exclusive interview with Patrick Grant, Esme Young, and Joe Lycett
• Luxury retreat makes to help you focus on that wonderful trip away when this has all passed
• Stylish home décor, including a fringed cushion and colourful rope coasters
• A cheery bumblebee plushie to help bring a touch of spring indoors

Issue 67

• The Claudie Top
• Breton Dress
• Nellie the Elephant toy pattern
• Make a fluffy bunny with three dresses
• Sew coastal homewares
• Restyled trench coat
• A quirky drawstring cosmetic bag

Issue 66

• Get stuck into not 1 but 4 sewing patterns!
• First up is the Annie Blouse and Ivy Skirt from Sew Over It.
• Next up is the absolutely adorable Joy Dress from Wild Things Dresses.
• The final pattern is your new don’t-leave-the-house-without-it essential: the Classic Tote.
• Also this issue: make a fluffy unicorn toy
• wild wall hanging for a little one’s bedroom
• a patternless tunic dress
• A refashion project for making a snazzy bow tie from an old shirt.

Issue 65

• The Liberty Dress
• 9 easy-sew spring gift ideas
• Learn how to make an utterly adorable puppy plushie.
• Whip up a cute pair of children’s shorts!
• Exclusive Burda Style dress pattern for you to try.

Issue 64

• Sew a simple shift dress to start your new year’s me-made wardrobe.
• Make your own easy-sew culottes
• We’ve got bags of accessories for you to make too!
• This issue comes with a handy water erasable pencil – time to treat yourself!
• Make a super sweet hair bow to try out your new French Knot skills
• Embroider beautiful wall art
• Make a splash in your living space with a splurge of colour and our beginner-friendly home sewing projects – make a quilt, cushions, laptop case, storage baskets, camera strap and coasters

Issue 63

• The colour-block Carmen Hoodie sewing pattern
• Even beginners will find issue 63’s The Indigo Top a breeze.
• Make a unique twisted fabric clutch bag
• Stitch a quick-sew Christmas stocking
• Learn how to work with jersey fabrics
• Stitch an asymmetric quilted tote bag

Issue 62

• Sew The Party Dress, with an elegant sweetheart neckline
• Update your everyday wardrobe with Athina Kakou’s Trouser Set pattern
• Make a cosy winter stole
• Stitch a faux fur clutch bag
• Upcycle a T-shirt into a tote
• Sew an adorable reindeer plushie