Copyright

HarperCollinsPublishers 77–85 Fulham Palace Road, Hammersmith, London W6 8JB

www.harpercollins.co.uk

First published by HarperCollinsPublishers in 2014

FIRST EDITION

© May Martin 2014

Cover layout design © HarperCollinsPublishers Ltd 2014

Cover photograph © Ali Allen 2014

May Martin asserts the moral right to be identified as the author of this work

Every effort has been made to contact the copyright holders but the publishers would be glad to hear of any omissions.

Designer: Lucy Sykes-Thompson

Project Editor: Sarah Hoggett

Copy Editor: Kate Parker

Illustrators: Stephen Dew

Photographer: Ali Allen

Stylist: Alice King

Hair and Make-up Artist: Sarah Matheson

All rights reserved under International and Pan-American Copyright Conventions. By payment of the required fees, you have been granted the nonexclusive, non-transferable right to access and read the text of this e-book on screen. No part of this text may be reproduced, transmitted, downloaded, decompiled, reverse engineered, or stored in or introduced into any information storage retrieval system, in any form or by any means, whether electronic or mechanical, now known or hereinafter invented, without the express written permission of HarperCollins e-books.

Find out about HarperCollins and the environment at www.harpercollins.co.uk/green

Source ISBN: 9780007573042

Ebook Edition © JULY 2014 ISBN: 9780007573059

Version: 2014-08-15

Contents

Cover

Title Page

Copyright

Introduction

TIPS & TRICKS

Where to Start

Equipment

Techniques

CRAFTS

Table Runner

Napkins & Napkin Rings

Log Cabin Patchwork

Express Bunting

Doorway Puppet Theatre

Hand Puppets

Christmas Decorations

Christmas Stocking

Sewing Tidy Bag

Pyramid Box

HOME FURNISHINGS

Cushions

Roman Blind

Curtains

ACCESSORIES

Snood

Man’s Apron

Child’s Smock Apron

Cape

Bucket Bag

ADULTS’ FASHION

Shell Blouse

Shift Dress

Pencil Skirt

Bonded Bodice

Man’s Waistcoat

KIDS’ FASHION

Jersey T-shirt

Trousers & Shorts

Dungarees

Toddler Dress

Romper Suit

Smocked Dress

Templates

Glossary

My Little Black Book

Acknowledgements

About the Publisher

Introduction

I have been a textile tutor for over 40 years and I love my job. I couldn’t imagine doing anything more enjoyable. I have a passion for my subject and I love sharing my skills with other people – nothing gives me greater pleasure than helping my students and seeing them progress. At school I was not particularly academic, but I discovered that I could sew and I will never forget the sheer delight of completing my first project, a grey pencil skirt. I trained as a needlework teacher and taught at various schools for several years until my children arrived. I branched into adult education because I could fit it around my family, and I’ve been teaching students of all ages ever since.

Sewing has become hugely popular again. I’ve seen it in the growing numbers of students signing on for classes and in the appeal of TV programmes like The Great British Sewing Bee, for which I had the privilege of being one of the judges. What was striking about the programme was how well the contestants bonded with each other, and this is something that I’ve noticed in my own classes. People love to help each other and share their ideas. As a teacher, I find I learn so much from my pupils. I’ve even included a few tips in the here that they’ve shown me, such as the technique for double binding the edge of patchwork to make beautiful mitred corners.

In this book, I have tried to gather together some of the tips and tricks I’ve learned over the years. Along the way, I’ve discovered different methods of tackling particular techniques that make them easier as well as producing a better finish, and my aim is to share some of the tips that my students have found most helpful. I’ve begun with the basics – where to sew and what equipment you’ll need – and offered advice on the ‘raw materials’ of a project, from choosing fabric and thread to selecting and laying out a pattern. And I’ve presented some of the fundamental techniques that are so important in sewing, from how to make different types of seams and hems to such processes as creating your own binding (really easy if you have the right gadget) and forming ‘magic’ rouleau loops. At every point, I’ve tried to demystify the subject for beginners – explaining pattern terms and markings, for instance – while at the same time providing ideas for those with more experience to help enhance their sewing knowledge.

In the second part of the book, I’ve presented a range of projects to suit varying degrees of skill and ability – beginner, intermediate and more advanced. The skill level is shown at the start of each project. Beginner projects only require straight seams and simple hand stitching; intermediate projects involve curved seams, bound edges and relatively easy fastenings such as drawstrings or centred zips; the more advanced feature facings, interlinings, and matching fabric patterns and may involve assembling several different components. With these I’ve tried to give a taste of every type of sewing project you might be tempted to try, from craft work – how to make your own bunting or a beautiful puppet theatre, complete with puppets – to home furnishings, from a Roman blind to a boxed cushion cover. There are a number of dressmaking projects too, a range of items for both adults and children. These are linked to actual patterns that you can buy – and which you will need for the pattern pieces and full assembly instructions – but you don’t have to be restricted to these. My aim has been to try to bring them alive by focusing on particular techniques – such as how to insert an invisible zip or make a smocked panel for a little girl’s dress – which you can add to your repertoire and use again and again in other projects, building your skills all the time.

It is a privilege to be in a position to reach a wider audience and share what I’ve learned over the years. It has given me so much pleasure to teach others, helping and guiding them. I hope this book conveys some of that joy so that you in turn will be inspired to begin your own sewing journey.

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