Sewing Magazine inspiration

I received copies of some of my favorite sewing magazines this week. Nothing like some fresh, new sewing ideas! On the left is the new copy of the quarterly Bernina magazine. An inexpensive magazine that has full-size patterns for a variety of projects from clothing to household items and quite often, handbags. This issue has some lovely winter dresses inside. The one on the cover is my favorite.

Here is another dress inside the magazine. Often patterns featured in this magazine has machine embroidery detail which is not really my taste.

On the right of the first pic is the January 2010 copy of my absolute favorite Burda WOF magazine. I have been waiting excitedly for this issue as there are some stunning winter-white dresses in. Just look at this shirt-dress above. I must find some nice white fabric now.

This dress is first on my list! Isn't this beautiful? It is made with viscose, except the sleeves and insert on the bust is from jersey knit. Of course, I am planning to make the whole dress from jersey knit. I just need to find a thicker, good quality fabric.

My other favorite sewing magazine is the UK published Sew Hip. I have bought every copy since it launched in November 2008 and now subscribe to it. The magazine has a great mix of projects in, from quilts, pillows and clothing to bags, toys and features on new products, books and fabric. This month there is a full-size pattern in for this fabulous dress on the cover.

And this fabulous bag, among many other lovely projects.

I also spent some time selecting fabric for a new bag I want to make. I found this fabulous free bag pattern last night. I don't normally like small handbags, but I love bags made from fat quarters! This bag, the Simple Party Clutch, found here http://sewmamasew.com/blog2/?p=4419 is just so fabulous for a night out or lunch with a girlfriend. It is made with only two fat quarters! The designer is Elizabeth from http://www.ohfransson.com/. I have made some of her designs before and love her patterns. I plan to make a few of these cute bags for family and friends and then maybe I will enlarge the pattern and make a bigger handbag for myself.

Here is a picture of the Simple Party Clutch, from the Sewmamasew website. (Hope they don't mind.) Isn't it cute? The bag has several layers of iron-on interfacing to give it structure. I hope to make at least one this weekend and will share pics next week. Hope you all have a great, crafty weekend!