If you're anything like us, Wednesday nights are firmly in the calendar as 'Bee-time'! We were sceptical about how season nine of The Great British Sewing Bee could top season eight, but, as ever, Esme, Patrick and Sara haven't let us down. The final's set to air on 26th July (sob!) and we've heard some whispers about those final garments… You won't want to miss it. For more Bee buzz, follow the latest at gathered.how/sewing-bee and join the chat on our 'Great British Sewing Bee Fans' group on Facebook.
OWN POCKET
Oh, how we love that instant confidence we get when we wear a dress with pockets! The Austin dress from the Grainline Studio fits the bill. It's semi-fitted and can be sewn mid or knee length. Pockets are optional, but we won't take no for an answer! Buy from hantexonline.co.uk.
FOR YOU!
▼ If you've got a friend who is hooked on GBSB and ready to dip their toes into the wonderful world of dressmaking, why not treat them to the ultimate me-made wardrobe bible? The Beginner's Guide to Dressmaking covers everything you need to get started, plus 15 gorgeous paperless tutorials and three paper patterns – all for just £9.99. It's available to buy in newsagents and online from buysubscriptions. com/special-editions or download it via the Simply Sewing app.
SPLASH OF COLOUR
If you haven't already got a pair of snips in your stash, or even if you have, we're sure your eyes will be drawn to these colourful beauties to brighten up your sewing corner. With precision blades, it's easier to reach those tricky parts than with traditional embroidery scissors. These handy snips will be by your side for each sewing session. They're a snip at just £4.95! Get yours at cottonclara.com.
LATEST DROP
This year, Minerva is celebrating 25 years of inspiring sewists, and it's not stopping there. The Exclusive Cotton Sateen is the latest addition to their fabric range. The 100% cotton material is non-stretch and has a beautifully silky smooth finish, which isn't shiny like satin but has a wonderfully lustrous finish. The versatile fabric is easy to sew with and has a lovely blend of drape and structure. With 20 brand-new designs to choose from, you're bound to find something for your next dress, blouse, skirt, jumpsuit, summery trousers and more. Take a peek at all of the 20 fabrics in the range at minerva.com.
MINI PROFILE VANIA SOUCY @WARDROBESCHOOL
The lockdown in the spring of 2020 was a changing point in many people’s lives and none more so than for Vania Soucy. It was the catalyst that led to her pursuing her dreams a
