Loved The Great British Sewing Bee? Want to show the public your makes? Well, you’ll be please to hear that Love Productions is on the hunt again for enthusiastic talented sewists…

“We’re looking for UK-based men and women who enjoy sewing to take part in the second series of BBC2’s The Great British Sewing Bee. So if you’re at home behind a sewing machine, and you know godets from your gussets, we’d love to hear from you.”

• To find out more, contact: 020 70674822 / sewing@loveproductions.co.uk
• Or for an application form go to: loveproductions.co.uk/be-on-tv

Wonder what being on The Great British Sewing Bee might be like? Read our interview with Tilly and The Buttons from series one 

Brush up on your sewing skills with tips from GBSB judge, May Martin

More about the first series of GBSB

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Say hello to Tilly, aka Tilly and The Buttons

Great British Sewing Bee contestant Tilly and the Buttons talks about her TV experience, what it was like to make a dress in 7 hours, and reveals the best kept sewing secret

Please tell us a little bit about yourself and where you’re from

Hi! Thanks for having me. My name is Tilly, aka Tilly and the Buttons, and I’m from the internet. Well, that’s how it feels in any case! I’m really from Brixton, in South London.

What’s your earliest craft memory?

I only got into sewing a few years ago, but as a child I was constantly covered in paint and glitter and glue and clay. I had a particular penchant for Fimo in those days… I still use it occasionally!

We love this polka dot Mathilde blouse!

What was it about sewing that appealed to you?

The reason I began sewing was to put my hands to a more creative use than simply typing on a computer all day. I was always daydreaming about dresses, so I loved the idea of being able to turn those daydreams into a reality.

What inspires you?

The maker attitude that you don’t have to leave everything to the experts – you can make stuff yourself. Yes!

You’ve got a gorgeous handmade dress collection – do you have a favourite one and why?

Why thank you! I love making fancy dresses with trimmings and embellishments, but really the ones I’m most fond of are the homemade garments I wear on a regular basis.

The Miette Skirt is super simple and quick to make

I have a serious soft spot for my Miette Skirt. I designed the pattern in response to what I saw was a lack of suitable patterns for novice stitchers. Miette is seriously easy to make, with no zippers, no buttonholes, super-simple fitting and in-depth photo tutorials.

It means a lot to me to be able to help get new people into sewing. Plus it just looks really awesome 70s chic!

What’s the best-kept sewing secret?

That it’s not as difficult as some people would have you believe! It seriously frustrates me when I hear/read anyone trying to make out that you can only sew if you’ve been doing it since you were in the womb. Or, worse still, nitpicking at someone else’s creative work.

Personally, I want to encourage everyone to give sewing a try. It doesn’t take much to start creating clothes that you love to wear. The details may not be exactly perfect, but who cares? You made it yourself!

The scalloped neck dress – one of Tilly’s projects from The Great British Sewing Bee

Why did you decide to enter the Great British Sewing Bee?

Some of my lovely blog readers encouraged me to apply, and it sounded like a fantastic opportunity to be part of something that would spread the sewing bug to a mass audience. And it really had an impact!

Previously, most people would look at me like I was completely crazy if I told them I sewed my own clothes, but suddenly it’s become acceptable!

The Great British Sewing Bee’s set looked amazing! What was it like being on TV, rummaging through all that incredible fabric?

Oh my goodness, it was so hard to restrict fabric-browsing time – especially when you only had an hour to make something! We would spend quite a while stroking the fabrics, help each other find matching zippers and thread…

Making a dress in 7 hours sounds utterly terrifying – how did you manage it?

The timescales were pretty ridiculous, but the whole point was that it was meant to be challenging. It would have been a totally different show if we’d been given enough time to finish everything properly – more like Project Runway!

It was pretty stressful, particularly as you had to give the cameras a running commentary on everything you were doing, but we had a good giggle at the same time.

What has happened since the Great British Sewing Bee? Do you still stay in touch with the other contestants?

Yes, I’m still good friends with the other contestants – we bonded instantly. I speak to Lauren and Stuart quite a bit.

What’s next for you?

I’m now working harder than ever on some super-exciting projects to help spread the sewing bug… watch this space!

Visit Tilly’s blog

Top sewing tips from Great British Sewing Bee judge, May Martin

Free projects

All images © Tilly & The Buttons

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Selina Lake is an interior stylist and author based in the UK. She recently celebrated the launch of her fourth book, Pretty Pastel Style, with cupcakes and a vintage fair in Kingston Upon Thames. Mollie Makes editor, Lara Watson, went along to the event and interviewed Selina to find out more.

Read our full report on Selina Lake’s Pretty Pastel Style book launch in issue 27 of Mollie Makes, which is out now. Have a look through the latest issue here.

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We all need to treat ourselves once in a while. So when a girls’ night or friendly gathering presents itself, trying new recipes is at the top of our list. So, cocktails, ladies?

Try a fruity favourite, perfect as both an aperitif and an accompaniment to a Mexican meal, by Californian-based chef, John Lee Simpson. And remember peeps, no treats before 12pm and be drinkaware.co.uk. Cheers!

Strawberry & mint margaritas

Serves 6

300g fresh or frozen strawberries

2 tbsp honey

240ml tequila

Half a bunch of mint leaves

Step 1: Fuse the honey, tequila and strawberries in a blender – add a little ice if using fresh, or a splash of water if using frozen.

Step 2: Garnish with chopped mint and strawberry slices.

All images taken by Simon Weller.

This recipe was originally published in The Simple Things, issue 8. For the full Mexican menu, grab an issue here.

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Flor Panichelli makes beautiful creatures from clay and screenprints in her London-based studio. They represent the imagination and creativity of self-taught maker Flor. Originally from Argentina, this former historical archivist, freelance journalist and teacher talks to us about how and why she creates.

What inspires you and your work?

Many things: nature, memories, other people… I feel particularly inspired by works that denote sensitivity, magic, humour, criticism of modern society, childhood reminiscences, and political (ethical) principals. I’m thinking of Jim Henson, Nick Park (especially Creature Comforts), Tim Burton, Maurice Sendak, Italian writer Stefano Benni, Argentinean writer Julio Cortázar, among others.

How do you create your mini sculptures? Talk us through a little of the creative process.

It depends on the type of creature, but in general: I use paper clay to sculpt, wait for it to dry, then sand it, paint it with acrylics and protect it with either gloss or matt varnish. I’ve only recently started to sketch before putting my hands in clay.

Why did you decide to set up your own business? What has the experience been like?

I knew at some point I needed to go back to a more creative life (the one I had experienced in my childhood and early youth) but never thought of that as setting up my own business. Even today, I struggle to see it as a business; it’s just something I do. Maybe that’s why it’s the most chaotic work experience in my life so far. I guess a bit of planning wouldn’t hurt!

Read the full interview in Gathered by Mollie Makes issue 7 or view Flor’s workspace in issue 12

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Once Deputy Art Director at Vogue Living, Hello Sandwich now runs regular classes in Tokyo, making all manner of pretty things – from fabric book covers (adorned with pom-poms) to handmade letter writing sets and envelopes. We popped along to her Photo Collage Workshop for a chat.

What first drew you to Japan?
Before I moved here in 2010, I’d been to Tokyo nine times on holiday! I thought it would be cheaper to just move over. I’ve always had a fascination with the creative culture in Japan, which started when I saw a book on Tokyo street fashion.

What are your top three craft shops in Tokyo?
Tools and Sekaido in Shinjuku for stationery and art supplies. Tokyu Hands is my one-stop shop for masking tape, envelopes and stickers.

What are your favourite blogs at the moment?
send more mail, Design Love Fest and Oh Happy Day.

Where do you get your inspiration?
Everywhere. Blogs, magazines, books, packaging, cafés, shops, galleries… Being a foreigner in Japan, everything is fresh and a great source of inspiration.

Interview taken from issue 18 of Mollie Makes.

Meet more inspiring, crafty people

Free craft projects

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Three years ago, Zeena Shah finally decided she’d had enough of designing print textiles for other people and set out to start her own company. Today, her work is in demand from boutiques and galleries around the world. Zeena also teaches classes in her London-based workshop. We caught up with her to find out more

How would you describe your style?

Fun, cheerful and colourful. Products include everything from cushions called Fred, Clive and Steve to Trevor totes and Luke lavender bags. All our materials are sourced in the UK, we used water-based inks and fill our lavender bags with lavender grown in the UK.

Each product is truly unique as it really depends on the fabric we have in and what ink we mix up that day, as everything is made to order.

What inspires you?

Scandinavian and Japanese textiles! I’m also a bit of a hoarder and collect far too many things, from vintage textiles and scarves to tins, ribbons, trays and more.  These bits of pattern all inspire new collections.

Do you enjoy teaching in your workshops?

I love it! They are so much fun and it really doesn’t feel like work at all. It’s such a nice feeling to be able to inspire others and teach them to create nice things they thought they couldn’t!

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Read more about Zeena’s lino printing workshops, and get an 10% off her courses in April 2013, with the latest issue of Mollie Makes. Issue 25 is available from all good supermarkets, newsagents and from our official online store.

Interview taken from issue 8 of Gathered by Mollie Makes.

Get your mitts on issue 25 of Mollie Makes

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Photograph and styling © Amanda Thomsen (www.amandathomsen.com)

Brittany Watson Jepsen is a talented gal. Not only does she run the beautiful website The House That Lars Built, her work also appears on top blogs such as design*sponge, Etsy Weddings and Brooklyn Bride. We caught up with her to find out more.

Describe your style in a few words

Colourful, bold, layered

You’re well known for your great DIY projects, how do you come up with your ideas?

Well, it’s different each time. Sometimes I’ll see a material and think about the ways I can use it. Or sometimes I’ll think of the end goal: do I need a project for a newborn baby, or am I creating something for a bride’s mother? Then I’ll think about all the things that the person would need. I admit, a lot of my projects are happy accidents. Sometimes it’s just plain luck that they even work out.

Photograph and styling © Amanda Thomsen (www.amandathomsen.com)

How do you create your beautiful paper flowers?

I use a lovely textured paper, and have found a store downtown that has a vast array of colours. I cut each petal out individually – as well as the stamen and leaves. Then I shape each petal and leaf to give it the volume. Each one contains loads of love and care, and once it’s finished I have a huge bag of packing peanuts that I use to secure it in a big box. The recipient must be floored when they receive such a huge package in the mail!

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Read the full interview with Brittany in the latest issue of Mollie Makes. Get issue 25 from all good supermarkets, newsagents and from our official online store.

Get your mitts on issue 25 of Mollie Makes

Flick through the latest issue of Mollie Makes online

Meet more inspiring, crafty people

Free craft projects

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[Clockwise for top-left] Editor Lara Watson; Production Editor, Sarah Montrose; Production Assistant, Nina Camacho and Digital Editor, Sarah Gane all with Mum. Happy Mother’s Day! MM xx

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[Clockwise from top-left] 1. Mollie Makes Editor Lara enjoys a spot of tea and crochet in the sunshine. 2. Kitsch deer ahoy! Art Ed Helena adds another ceramic gem to her collection. 3. Cats in bags? Amazing! Car boot discovery by Digital Ed Sarah.

4. Beautiful, vintage beaded earrings found in a local charity shop. 5. Stompin’ new kicks on a pretty, thrifted blanket. 6. Two felt Grubers chilling on a desk in the office. Find the Felt Mistress pattern in issue 7 of Mollie Makes.

7. The two Sarahs head out fabric shopping in Bath. 8. Designer Lu whips up a stunning crochet cushion. 9. Another lovely crochet project, this time by Production Ed Sarah.

What craft adventures have you been on this month? We want to see! Tweet us @MollieMakes, share them on the Mollie Makes Facebook page, or tag with @MollieMakes on Instagram.

More inspiration

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Have a look at the latest issue of Mollie Makes

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