Must-Sew Summer: Sew News June/July 2020 Editor Faves

✓Enjoy patterns, articles, and secret surprises! Become a Charter Member of our brand-new digital sewing membership Makers Club.

Every year I say it and every year it’s true: the Sew News summer issue is one of my favorites! The Sew News June/July 2020 issue is packed with summer sewing inspiration and techniques to keep you sewing.

Inside, find everything from a free swimsuit pattern (with accompanying video sew along!) to roomy-yet-comfy belt bag pattern perfect for summer wandering to patio perfect fruit slice pillows to an easy ruffle tank dress hack that is perfectly picnic ready. Don’t forget to check out the free sewing patterns from the issue, available for a limited time!

We on the Sew Daily staff always have our favorites . . . and we always know what we’re sewing next! Read on for our favorite projects from the issues and what is making it to our summer must-sew list!

Kate’s Pick: Wearable Yet Dramatic

I love the Tee Tie hack that’s on the cover of the June/July issue. It’s such a neat effect: taking a basic boxy top like the Fen Dress & Top from Fancy Tiger Crafts or the Antero Shell and giving it some flair and shape by adding a wide tie. I love the way the tie crosses around back before tying in front—talk about drama! Who wouldn’t love floating through a summer day in this striking look?

Meg’s Pick: A New Swimsuit Technique

I love how summery this issue is, so it was quite hard to pick just one favorite. Aside from my ruffled Niagara Skirt (at least I already have that one made to wear), I absolutely love the Melon Mood swimsuit modification by Heather Paulson.

Swimsuits are one of my sewing specialties. The lace-up front hack using grommets on the Megan Nielsen Cottesloe Swimsuit is something I have never done before, and it looks so chic and on trend. That project is on my summer sewing list for sure, and I may even try that hack on a tank too, or I can easily just wear the modified swimsuit as a bodysuit and have a lace-up tank. Win, win.

Amanda’s Pick: Easy, Breezy, Linen

Is it cheeky to pick your own pattern as fave? There are truly so many great projects and techniques in the Sew News June/July issue, but the first thing I’m making is another Paonia Pinafore Dress. I made the prototype last summer, and it was my summer MVP.

Pinafore dresses in general are just amazing: so comfortable and you can wear them over anything. I love that they can help extend the life of slightly-too-tight tanks and tees — I like pairing this flowy dress with a tighter top underneath to balance out the silhouette. I also love that you can pair it with any shoes, from artful sandals to slip-on tennis shoes.

Summer sewing is kind of the best, isn’t it?

We can’t wait to see what projects from Sew News June/July 2020 inspire you! If you make one of our patterns, hack a pattern using one of our articles, or learn a technique from one of our tutorials, we hope you’ll tag @sewnews on Instagram or on Facebook so we can see what you’re up to.

Happy Sewing!