We have searched the sewing pattern database to bring you the best selection of patterns inspired by the the second episode of the Great British Sewing bee #gbsb. If you haven’t already seen our dedicated Sewing Bee page do take a look, we’ve got loads of exciting things planned for the next few weeks. Take a look at what everyone is saying about the first episode in the forum Great British Sewing bee chit-chat.
If you fancy sewing up one of these pattern beauties for yourself, why not take a look at the list of tips and tutorials from your favourite bloggers and designers at the end of this post to get that perfect finish.
Here are tutorials from indie designers and bloggers to help you get to grips with the techniques used to make the patterns used in the show.
Task 1 – Sewing with jersey and poppers
Sewing with knit fabrics
There are lots of tips and tutorials out their about sewing with knit fabrics, which have become really popular in the sewing community. Here are a few of our top picks.
Check out the BIG LIST of tips for sewing with knits from Sewaholic.
If you want to know more about the fabrics and tools used in the show, check out the Sewing Directory’s post.
How to cut knit fabrics
Tilly and the Buttons has some great tips for how to cut knit fabrics accurately.
Sewing with knits on a regular sewing machine
Tilly and the Buttons also has advice for sewing knit fabrics on a regular sewing machine.
Binding knit edges
Once you’ve got to grips with sewing knit fabrics, the next thing to tackle is finishing the edges. Baby clothes often necklines and hems that are finished with bias binding. Colette give you the tutorials for no less than four options here on finishing knit edges.
Shopping for knit fabrics
Seamwork with Melissa Fehr (Fehr Trade patterns) have put together a shopping guide to buying knits.
Tutorial for using poppers
It’s much easier to dress babies if their clothes have poppers, check out VeryKerryBerry’s tutorial on how to fix them in place.
Get to grips with your gusset
Sewaholic has a tutorial on how to insert a gusset as part of their Pacific leggings sew-along.
Memories
If you’ve got lots of baby clothes that your little ones have outgrown, why not use the special ones to make a memory quilt. Read Megan Nielsen’s inspiring project tutorial.
Task 2 – Refashioning a bridesmaids dress (skill: working with slippery fabrics)
Working with the dreaded ‘slippery’ fabrics
The ladies at By Hand London have a great tutorial on taking charge of those slippery fabrics.
Sewing with silky fabrics
Jennifer Lauren Vintage has some tips for sewing with silk fabrics.
Cutting silky fabrics
Grainline Studio also some some tips and tricks (plus a video) on sewing with silks.
Shirrrrrring
Made By Rae has a step-by-step guide on their website for adding some shirring detail to children’s outfits.
Task 3 – Sewing a child’s wool cape
Which wool fabric to pick
Get all the info on what wool fabric to buy and how to prepare it for sewing from Rachel of House of Pinheiro @houseofpinheiro
Working with wool
Grainline Studio have some tips for choosing and working with wool fabrics.
Lining a jacket
Grainline studios also has a tutorial for lining a jacket and bagging it out.
Cape patterns through the ages
Fancy a bit of selfish sewing and want to make a cape for yourself? Get inspired by how cape styles have changed through the ages from McCalls.
A scalloped hem
Megan Nielsen has a great tutorial on creating a scalloped template and adding this detail to a hem.
How to make a giant Pom Pom!
If you want to add pom poms to your cape then Mollie Makes has a great tutorial for creating giant ones … go big or go home!
My youngest (16 yr old) daughter was very taken with the idea of a cape with a hood and pockets – does anyone have any suggestions for a pattern for one with these features please?
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