Pattern Review: Sew Liberated Schoolhouse Tunic

Our latest pattern review is the Sew Liberated Schoolhouse Tunic reveiwed by Ali of Domesticali.  If you don't yet know Ali, go and visit her blog, it is a wonderful mix of family and creativity.

Ali made the tunic in a lovely orange shirting.  You can read the full review here in the articles section of our website.

Related Products:

Sew Liberated Schoolhouse Tunic

Patterns by Figgy's: New kids pattern range

We're excited to announce that we have expanded our pattern range and become the first UK stockists of boutique pattern label ‘Patterns by Figgy’s’.  Click here to view the patterns in the shop.

Patterns by Figgy’s is the creation of two seamsters, Shelly Figueroa and Karen LePage, who met online through a shared love of sewing. Their first collection came in the Spring of 2010 and they are planning three collections per year, with their third ‘Fall 2010’ coming later this summer.

The current pattern range includes dresses and skirts for girls aged 12m – 6yrs and shorts and hoodies for boys aged 18m – 14yrs. These stylish patterns are very accessible to all stitchers catering from beginners upwards, and customers are well supported with tutorials on the Figgy’s blog.

Patterns by Figgy’s are also unusual in their support for the home sewer in that they have a ‘Sharing’ policy. This policy permits their patterns to be handmade into products for sale by the individual crafter, just as long as you declare that it is a ‘Patterns by Figgy’s’ pattern.

Related Products:
Mary Go 'Round Dress
Ofelia Dress and Bloomers
Ella's Bubble Bottom Skirt
Beach Bum Hoodie and Board Shorts: 18m - 6y
Beach Bum Hoodie and Board Shorts: 8y - 14y

101 Great Ways to Sew a Metre - Prize Draw & Review

I have been lucky enough to review a copy of the book '101 Great Ways to Sew a Metre' published by David & Charles, and I am giving you the chance to win my copy.  It is a really great book.  A must for any sewing library.  You can read the full review in the articles section of the website.

From the book I tested the pattern for the Picnic-tastic Lunch Mats and had great fun making up the mats in Anna Maria Horners Fortune Chocolate and Erin McMorris' Brown Poppy Dot Floral, with coordinating Klona Cottons.  I altered the pattern slightly to use a combination of printed and plain fabric, and also added a ribbon tie.  These picnic mats have already been used on our first picnic of the summer with great success. 

How do I win a copy of the book?
In order to enter to win a copy of this book you need to follow Backstitch on Facebook, Twitter or on the Backstitch Blog and then let us know (as a comment on the blog or Facebook, or by tweeting with the @backstitchshop tag) which article on the Backstitch website you find most interesting/ useful.  You can enter up to three times into the draw.  One entry via each method.  Once the competition closes, at 12:00 BST on Mon 14 June 2010, we will pick one entry at random from all valid entries.

And, if you don't win a copy of this book you have the chance to purchase it at a greatly reduced price: David & Charles are offering Backstitch customers the chance to purchase the book at the reduced price of £7.99 (rrp £16.99) with free p&p (UK only), click here and quote code R11235 at the checkout.

Prize Draw Terms and Conditions
1. Entry to the competition is restricted to three entries per person please.
2. You must be a follower of the blog/ Twitter/ Facebook to enter via that medium.
3. Prizes can only be sent to a valid UK address.
4. Winners will be chosen at random from all valid entries.
5. Winners will be contacted via blog/ Twitter/ Facebook names displayed on our website.
6. The Judges decision is final and no correspondence will be entered in to.
7. The competition will run from 07 June 2010 12:00 BST until 14 June 2010 12:00 BST.
8. Backstitch is compliant with the data protection act. Our policy is such that we will not pass on your details to any third party without your prior consent.

Related Products
Anna Maria Horner Fortune Chocolate
Erin McMorris Poppy Dot Floral Brown
Klona Cotton Purple
Klona Cotton Pomegranate

Roundabouts and Empires: New patterns in!

We've just recieved in the two new dress patterns from Anna Maria Horner, the Evening Empire Dress and the Roundabout Dress. 

I always seem to prefer the alternative options for patterns, so it is worth looking at these. You can look at all the options if you click on the 'View more images' button on the product page.  Two great summer makes would be option A from the Evening Empire Dress which would be the perfect everyday summer dress, and the Roundabout Dress has a really lovely summer blouse.

Competition! Win fabric & patterns

Running all this week we have a competition running with The Sewing Directory.

We have donated 2 bundles of fabric and 2 bag patterns as prizes.

In order to enter you need to follow either Backstitch or The Sewing Directory on Facebook, Twitter or our blogs (links below) and then let us know which bundle and bag pattern you would like to win.

We will be picking 1 lucky winner from people who reply on The Sewing Directory's Facebook, Twitter or Blog, plus 1 lucky winner from those who reply on the Backstitch Facebook, Twitter or blog. Each of those winners will get the bundle and bag pattern of their choice.

If you want more chance of winning then you can enter on both of ours, getting a maximum of 6 entries if you enter on all 3 methods for both companies.

How will winners be chosen?

All replies to Backstitch will be put into a spreadsheet; all replies to The Sewing Directory will be put into a separate spreadsheet. A random number generator will choose one lucky winner from each spreadsheet.

Terms and Conditions

Friends and family of The Sewing Directory and Backstitch are excluded. There will be a maximum of 6 entries per person. Only one prize per person, if someone happens to win both draws another winner will be drawn. You must be a follower in order to enter. Prizes will only be posted within the UK. All entries must be received by 6pm on Tuesday 18th May 2010.

Pattern Review: Oliver + S: Birthday Party Dress

This is introducing the first of a series of pattern reviews by lovely bloggers. The idea is to give you a useful resource for when choosing patterns from the shop. 

The first of our pattern reviews is by Helen of Angharad Handmade. If you don't already know Helen, she has a lovely blog as well as an Etsy shop where you can buy all the nice things she makes.

The review gives you some great information about the pattern, as well as some inspiration... who could not be inspired by this lovely spotty number?!

The full review is available here within our articles section on the Backstitch website.

Related Products:
Oliver+S Birthday Party Dress 6m – 3T
Oliver+S Birthday Party Dress 4 – 8
Kaffe Fassett Periwinkle Spots

New season Oliver + S patterns now in stock

 

 
We are really excited to announce that we now have in stock two of the three new season patterns from Oliver+S.  The Ice Cream Dress (6m - 4 & 5 - 12), and the Sketchbook Shirt and Shorts (6m - 4 & 5 - 12).  Two great new patterns both available in the new larger size ranges, and both excellent staple summer outfits.
 

 
The Ice Cream Dress is a loose-fitting, pull-on smock dress or blouse featuring a one-piece V-notch yoke and button loop closure. Pattern includes three views: a dress with double-thickness hem and matching pockets, a color-blocked dress in the same style, and a blouse-length version of the dress.  What about a version in Filigree Plum and Leaf Dots Fuschia?
 
 

 
The Sketchbook Shirt and Shorts is a boy’s or girl’s classic shirt and shorts pattern featuring a shirt in two versions: a cuffed, long-sleeve option with a one-piece collar and chest pocket or a band collar and short sleeve option. Both styles include button front placket and shirt-tail hem. Below-the-knee length elastic-waist shorts include front pockets and mock fly.  Would look great with Navy Klona shorts and a shirt in Poppy Dot Floral Navy.

Sew Liberated Schoolhouse Tunic - back in stock!

The Sew Liberated Schoolhouse Tunic went out of stock two weeks ago, and after a little (ash related) delay we are glad to say we now have it back in stock. 

This is a great one for summer: stylish, flattering, and quick to sew.  Make the tunic-length to wear as a dress or over jeans - or make a shirt-length version. 

Why not try in Green Martini Spots or Filigree for a fresh summery look... ready for all those barbecues we are promised to have this year!

Oliver+S Bubble Dress - last of 2T-5 stock

Did you know that Oliver+S are discontinuing their Bubble Dress Pattern?  They currently have good stocks of the birth-24m size, but the last of the larger 2T-5 size patterns has now all been distributed to retailers. 

We have 2 of these currently in stock, and 1 final copy of the pattern coming with our next delivery. 

If you have always wanted this for your collection, now is the time to buy.

V&A, Quilts: 1700 – 2010

Elizabeth Chapman (detail) 1829, © V&A Images

I made the trip to London at the weekend in order to visit Quilts: 1700 – 2010 at the V&A. It was well worth the trip and I highly recommend the exhibition. A great mix of styles and eras, with an interesting narrative working you through influence, function, and historical significance.

Sara Impey, Context, 2005 (detail). © quiltart.org.uk

There were several pieces that got me really enthused, of the more contemporary ones. ‘Punctuation’ by Sara Impey topped my exciting list. You can learn more about Sara Impey here.