Join in our fun little sew-along challenge for each week that the new series of the Great British Sewing Bee is on, and expand your skills while getting the chance to win money to spend on sewing goodies! 

#mysewingchallenge Week 2: Heavier Weight Fabrics

Week 1 of our sew-along challenge is over, and it has been so amazing seeing all of your entries - who knew zip projects were so versatile? We've had some fantastic entries, with everything from make up bags to skirts with a fly, and you've all done really well. Watch out for our Facebook and Instagram pages tonight when we announce our winner!

This week, we thought we'd steer away from any specific technique and look at fabrics that lots of people steer clear of because they don't know how to work with them or are scared they won't be able to sew with them. So this week's theme for the challenge is heavier weight fabric!

Boiled Wool with Viscose - Forest Green

Whether it's wool, canvas, denim, leather, coating or fleece fabric, we want you to challenge yourself (and your machines) to making something with a weightier fabric - trust us, you'll feel so amazing when you've done it! 

How it works

Don't forget to share your make on Instagram or Facebook with #mysewingchallenge and to tag us so we can see your entry!

You have one week to make your garment and share/tag us on social media, we will pick our first winner on Tuesday next week before the show... and they will receive a £25 gift voucher to spend on sewing goodies of their choice!

Need some inspiration?

For our heavy weight project, we decided to go for a simpler design this week, as we didn't have a lot of time and really wanted to get to grips with how to best work with the fabric instead of working out a complicated pattern! So this week Amy had a go at this fun and cosy little poncho cape, using some of our boiled wool with viscose and New Look pattern 6475. It was great fun, easy to make and although my machine struggled a little bit on the shoulder seams when I was sewing through 4 layers at once, I discovered it could manage it if I slowed my speed down a little. It's the perfect throw-over for sunny but cool spring days and I love the drape - I just want to swish around all the time with it!

 

Not sure what fabric to go for?

Take a look at some of our favourites in the heavier weight category!

Boiled Wool with Viscose - Forest Green

Boiled Wool with Viscose

Printed Faux Suede - Oriental Blush

Printed Faux Suede - Oriental Blush

Fryett's Owl Fabric PVC - Oilcloth Fabric Online Children

Owls Blue PVC Oilcloth

Faux Leather - Blush Pink

Faux Leather - Blush Pink

More Inspiration

Each week, we are also putting together a Pinterest board full of ideas on the theme of the challenge to help inspire you and give you some project ideas - check out our heavy weight fabrics board here!

Don't miss our fantastic Sewing Bee Steals...