Introducing Megan Nielsen Sewing Patterns

Back in November I rather failed to tell you about our new pattern designer Megan Nielsen.   Shocking and criminal, I know.  Well, we have just received in her new (and drop dead fantastic) Banksia Top pattern.

Banksia Top

Megan Nielsen is an Australian fashion designer living in the US. She designs the most sweet and feminine clothes.  Just in October last year, after seeing a gap in the market, she released a collection of seven maternity sewing patterns that she had perfected through her own pregnancies.  This has been swiftly followed by two non-maternity patterns which have been taken from her Fall 2010 clothing collection.

Megan Nielsen Maternity Patterns

The Darling Ranges dress is a button front v-neck dress with elbow length sleeves and gathered waistline. Includes large pockets (in my book a dress has got to have pockets) and ties at the back to allow it to be worn in a fitted or loose style.



Darling Ranges Dress

Both dressy & casual the Banksia Top is a great wardrobe addition. Semi fitted with button up placket front, and large Peter Pan collar it also features elbow length sleeves and shaping darts at the bust line.

Swoon!



Sewaholic Renfrew Top - The Perfect Tee

We've had this new pattern from the fantastic Tasia at Sewaholic for a week or so now, and it's set to be a favourite.  Tasia is busy designing a full wardrobe of patterns, and what wardrobe would be complete without your basic tee?

The Renfrew Top has three sleeve options and three neck options which are all mix and match giving a whopping nine different styles of t-shirt.  I didn't even know that was possible!

This top is destined to take the fear out of sewing with knits too, billed as 'the knit top pattern for people who dislike sewing with knits'. Instead of standard machine-stitched hems, the sleeve and body hems are finished with bands. These banded hems are easy to sew and finish the edge in a professional-looking way.

Not sold yet?  Well, go and take a look at the Sewaholic Flickr Pool... they're starting to pop up in there!

Clever Charlotte Sewing Patterns

We have a new pattern design house in the shop!  Clever Charlotte patterns are the creation of Carla and Erin, a dressmaking duo from Ohio.  The patterns are made for girls in sizes 2T-8, and there are currently eight fantastic modern sets to choose from.

Finch Shorts

Kestral Coat - collar unbuttoned

I'm not sure if my favourite is the Raven Hoodie and Pants, the Finch Shorts, or the Kestral Coat.  What do you think?  You can take a look at the full collection here.

Hoarding and Scrap Packs

I've got a crime to admit to.  I've rather been hoarding end of line scraps.  See this big pile here?  This contributes to nearly two years worth of bolt ends.  Yes, I know, something has to be done about it.  All these beautiful fabrics, just sitting there... Criminal.

So, I'm going to let them go in the form of the Backstitch 'Lucky Dip Scrap Pack'.  For the measly sum of £6 you get 100g of delightful fabric scraps from this stack.  100g is somewhere between 0.75m and 1m of fabric.  All pieces are of a useful size - no piece will be smaller than 4 inches wide or 4 inches tall.  You will get between 5 & 15 different prints (depending on their size).  As an example I have taken a photo of the contents of one of the packs.

There's a lot you could do with this bundle of goodness!

And... they all come prettily wrapped, so perfect as a gift too.

A Valentine Card

My husband was working late last night, so I seized the moment and made my valentine card.  I always go for the 'quick and simple, but effective' route and what could be simpler than a couple of hearts embroidered onto a card.  I also embroidered a little heart onto the  envelope... just as a little sneak preview!

I left the tails long and just tied them in a bow at the back.

Have you done yours yet?

Backstitch HQ on the move!

A quick notice to say that Backstitch HQ is on the move.  We are moving house tomorrow (eek) and so stock will be in boxes for a few days.

We will still be taking orders, but anything ordered after 10:00 this morning (Wednesday 11th January) will be dispatched on Monday 16th January when normal service will resume.

Wish us luck!

Coats, Coats, Coats (because it's cold out there)

We've got a new coat pattern in!  The very delicious Abbey Coat pattern from Jamie Christina.  This coat is semi-fitted and fully-lined.  It can be made with or without a flounce, features princess seams, 3/4 sleeves, and a peter pan collar... oh, and boy, is it cute!

It struck me as this pattern came in, that we have a number of coat patterns in the shop now.

We've recently had Sewaholics Minoru Jacket come in which is a great everyday coat.  Then there is the class that is Colettes Lady Grey.  Lisette also has a smart jacket in with the Passport dress pattern.

Then for the kids there is a whole selection.  These are those pictured:
Figgy's Patterns Nituna Jacket, Patterns by Figgy's Vien and Rue Jackets, The Mr B Rock Band Jacket, Reversible Girls Jacket and Reversible Baby Jacket all from Bettsy Kingston.

Is that enough jackets for you to be getting on with?!

Sewing Blogger of the Year 2011

Well, what a year! It's been a busy one at Backstitch HQ... and we're really looking forward to the next.  In the reflective nature of New Years, we have an exciting event planned for January 2012.

We have teamed up with The Sewing Directory to bring some recognition to all those hardworking sewing bloggers out there. We would like you to vote for your favourite sewing blog of 2011, and we will reward the winner with £50 credit in the Backstitch shop to spend on whatever they wish!

There will also be 2 runners up prizes plus one voter will be picked at random to win a prize too.

How cool is that?!  Everyone gets one nomination, so you will have to think hard about who has really inspired you this year.  Perhaps it is a new blogger who is breaking ground or an old favourite.  And, you never know, somebody may even vote for you...  Gosh, I don't think I can take the excitement!

Prizes
1st: £50 voucher for Backstitch
2nd & 3rd: Prize bundle including fabric pack, sewing book & handmade ceramic buttons.
Voter prize: £15 voucher for Backstitch

How to vote
You can send your nomination using this entry form on the Sewing Directory website, or you can put your nomination on The Sewing Directory Blog or this Backstitch blog in the comments below our posts about the awards. Please do let us know why you love your chosen blog. We know you may have many sewing blogs that you love but I’m afraid we have to limit to 1 nomination per person. You have until midnight 31st January 2012 to get your vote in.

Please do feel free to post about these awards on your blog to encourage your followers to vote for you.

You can 'grab' the Sewing Blogger awards button using the code below, then your followers can go straight through and vote!

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Terms & Conditions
One vote per person, multiple votes will result in all of that person’s votes being removed. All nominations must be received by midnight GMT on Tuesday 31st January 2012; winners will be announced on the 1st of February 2012. There is no geographical limit, you can enter from anywhere in the world, and vote for a blogger based anywhere in the world too. Postage costs for your order on Backstitch will be taken out of your voucher credit. The nominated blog doesn’t have to purely focus on sewing so long as at least 25% of the posts relate to sewing. In the event of a tie break we will use a random number generator to pick the winner. A voter will be selected at random to win the voter prize.

New in: Hoodie's 'Catch of the Day' Collection

I love this new range of fabrics.  The prints are beautifully designed, and with such fun.  They are seasidey, and kitcheny, and great for kids too.

Hoodie is a Japanese American working for Timeless Treasures. Her collections are cute and kitschy with a style blended from memories of her childhood in Japan in the 1950s and 60s as well as inspiration from her current life in the United States.

We have six of the prints in, and have a fat quarter bundle which we have named the 'Shark Bite'.

I hope you like them!

Related Products
Shark Bite Bundle
All Hoodie Fabrics

Figgy's: A new look and three new patterns

One of our most popular children’s sewing pattern brand ‘Patterns by Figgy’s’ has had a total refresh and has rebranded as ‘Figgy’s Patterns’. A subtle difference in name, but a grand difference in actuality. 

Ayashe

Designer Karen LePage is no longer working with the brand, leaving to pursue new projects and Shelly Figueroa has teamed up with a new partner, Daniela Caine to bring a new aesthetic to the label.  I spoke to Shelly about the change and she said “What's great about running your own business is you get to evolve naturally. Rebranding was like being given a second chance but with wisdom on your side. I feel the brand is authentic to my taste and style and I am lucky to share this with Daniela. Simple, modern and contemporary is exactly Figgy's and exactly us.”
Figgy’s will be releasing two collections a year, Spring and Fall, in the size range 18m to 8/9yrs. And, in Summer each year a baby line for ages Newborn – 12m will be released.

The new patterns that have been released are really refreshing. There are two outfit sets and a Jacket, and we're really excited to have them at exclusively available Backstitch. Within the UK you will always be able to get Figgy's Patterns here first.


Ayashe

Ayashe is a blouse and skirt set, there are two collar options to the blouse, two sleeve options and several hem options – you will definitely be making more than one of these blouses. The pleated skirt that completes the Ayashe set has deep pockets, and instructions for an ingenious way to insert elastic that can actually grow with your girl!

Nituna

The Nituna jacket is a swing coat that will make your heart skip a beat. Easy to put together and less time consuming than you would expect. The jacket has options for a fully reversible version with bound edges or a lined version.



Sunki

Sunki is a dress and leggings set. The pocket dress is brilliantly styled with great potential for contrast fabric highlights. The dress includes special pleated shoulders that give a lovely feminine touch. The leggings go together in a snap and before you know it you have an outfit.
Figgy’s Patterns will be reprinting just two of their most popular patterns from the original brand, with the remainder of the ‘Patterns by Figgy’s’ out of print and in limited stock.

Related Products

All Figgy's Patterns
Ayashe Blouse and Skirt
Nituna Jacket
Sunki Dress and Leggings