After our first two very successful Sew-A-Long’s – featuring the Oliver and S Bucket Hat and the Made by Jacks Mum Speedy Pants – we decided to go the extra mile for September’s Sew-A-Long. There will be not just ONE Sew-A-Long pattern, but TWO! Awesome right?!? I know. I can’t wait to get started!

Taking on board feedback from our Sewing Room group on Facebook, we have chosen two very different patterns. The first one, revealed exclusively in yesterday’s Newsletter, is a fabulous FREE pattern and something for Mum, a ‘Selfish Sew’ if you like. The second, details of which are currently being finalised and will follow in a few days, is a BRAND NEW Children’s pattern – with a limited time discount (perfect timing for a Sew-A-Long) and is a perfect next project for those who made the Speedy Pants last time around.

So, without further delay….scroll on to see Part 1 and your SHOPPING LIST!

Drumroll please…..for the

Made for Mermaids – Mama Chloe Skirt & Maxi!

This pattern is a newly found firm favourite of mine, it comes with some great length options and is VERY simple and a really quick sew. This beginner friendly pattern comes in size Grey to Red (29″ to 53″ preferred waist).

This is the perfect project for someone who is new to sewing or has been afraid to try a knit pattern, it’s a flattering a-line skirt with only 4 seams and a hem. Mama Chloe comes in two lengths- slightly above the knee and maxi. Choose from a normal waistband or yoga, fold-over waistband. You can wear the fold-over waistband folded over OR worn up as a high-waisted skirt.

You can download the pattern from the Made for Mermaids website and as I mentioned above, you can get hold of it for FREE using a special discount code from the Made for Mermaids Pattern Group on Facebook. Just join the group and you’ll find the code in the pinned post. Easy Peasy!

To sew this project you will need…..

•  Knit Fabric with at least 30% stretch for the main part of the skirt, from 5/8 of a yard to 1.5 yards depending on the size.

• Four way stretch fabric for the waistband (with at least 50% stretch horizontally and good recovery), 1/4 of a yard for a regular waistband or 1/2 a yard for the fold over waistband.

• Ballpoint or Stretch Needle

• Optional Twin Needle for hemming

• Co-ordinating Thread

• Sewing Clips or Pins

• Ruler or tape measure

• Scissors or Rotary Cutter/Mat

• Needles/Sewing Machine/Overlocker

• Printer

• Glue/Tape to assemble the pattern

That’s it, a pretty small list and hopefully everything is easy for you to get hold of. You can find all of the haberdashery in the Shop section of our website. There are lots of places you can find suitable fabric (and I’d love to hear if you have any recommendations!) but don’t forget you can find a discount code to use at Caboodle Textiles if you join our Sewing Room group on Facebook. They have a great range of knit fabrics, including some fabric solid coloured cotton lycra and ribbing that’ll work great for the waistband.

What Next?

This time around there wont be step by step photos being added automatically for each of the Sew-A-Long projects, the instructions for both of the patterns chosen are very detailed and clear (the made for mermaids pattern even has an instructional video!). If you do get stuck, please shout up – drop me an email to Jennifer@littletshaberdashery.com or if you’re in our Sewing Room on Facebook, post with photos and ask for help. I’ll be happy to share photos of my projects and talk you through any tricky bits.

There is no deadline for completing the projects, do them at your own pace! Make one or make twenty, whatever you want to do! I’ll be sharing photos of my completed projects on Facebook, Instagram, and of course, on the blog and I’d love to see yours too. The more the better in-fact.

I hope you’re all pleased with the pattern choice and are all as excited as I am about Part 2 of September’s Sew-A-Long which will be revealed ASAP. Any questions, drop me an email or a message – I promise I’ll reply and I am actually quite friendly to chat with.

Until then, Happy Sewing!