Pattern Review: Colette Sencha Blouse

Our latest pattern review has been written by Joanne of Today We Made. Go and visit Joanne, she is lovely!

Joanne reviewed the Colette Sencha Blouse.  Her version is made with the gorgeous Blue Kaffe Fassett Spots.  You can read the full review and nosey at all the pictures here in our articles section on the website.

Related Products
Colette Sencha Blouse
Kaffe Fassett Spots Blue

Pattern Review: Anna Maria Horners Multi-Tasker Tote

Read our latest pattern review... the Multi-Tasker Tote from Anna Maria Horner.  Reviewer, Lucy, has given some good tips!

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Anna Maria Horner Multi-Tasker Tote
Erin McMorris Leaf Dots Teal
Erin McMorris Poppy Dot Floral Navy

Also in our recent delivery is these Denyse Schmidt prints from her 'Hope Valley' collection.  These prints would be great for dresses with a vintage feel. I would really love to make the Colette Ceylon from the blue... perhaps when I have a little more time!

Related Products
Denyse Schmidt Wall Flower Piney Woods
Denyse Schmidt Wall Flower New Day
Denyse Schmidt Wall Flower Fiesta
Colette Ceylon dress pattern

Nest - Valori Wells

We've just had a fabric delivery, including some of the 'Nest' collection from Valori Wells.  The 'Little Birds' print is really lovely and will be great for kids clothes and accessories.

Related Products
Valori Wells Little Birds Sage
Valori Wells Little Birds Rose
Valori Wells Little Birds Teal

Fast Fabric Gifts: Review and Giveaway

The latest book that I have reviewed from publishers David & Charles is 'Fast Fabric Gifts' by Sally Southern, and again I am giving you the chance to win my copy.  This book has a number of cute projects that encourage trying new and varied embellishment techniques.  You can read the full review in the articles section of the website.

From the book I made the ‘Pretty pencil case’, a zip-up case with an appliqué bird using Amy Butlers Wild Flowers in Navy. I found the appliqué and embellishing really very enjoyable. The book encouraged me to try something a little different to what I would have done without instruction, and for me this was a pleasant surprise. I’m really pleased with the end product and use it in my handbag.

How do I win a copy of the book?
There are two ways to enter the competition:

1.  Follow Backstitch on Twitter, and tweet the following text: 'Do you sew? @backstitchshop is giving away craft book 'Fast Fabric Gifts' over here http://tinyurl.com/sew-fff RT and follow to win'

2.  Leave a comment on this post telling us what the last fabric gift you made was.

You can enter two times into the draw.  One entry via each method.  Once the competition closes, at 12:00 BST on Mon 12 July 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 reduced price: David & Charles are offering Backstitch customers the chance to purchase the book at the special price of £6.99 (rrp £14.99) with free p&p (UK only), click here and quote code R11235 at the checkout.

Related Products
Amy Butler Wild Flowers
Klona Cotton Purple

Prize Draw Terms and Conditions
1. Entry to the competition is restricted to two entries per person please.
2. You must be a follower on Twitter 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 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 05 July 2010 09:00 BST until 12 July 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.

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.