Behind the Scenes...

It's been a little while since we took you behind the scenes at Tilly and the Buttons HQ, so today I thought I'd share a few snap shots of what we've been up to. Please excuse the mess - the studio gets in such a state when we're busy!!

As well as working on my next book, we've also spent much of the first half of this year developing the Etta sewing pattern and online dressmaking workshop. Our pattern cutter Vanessa managed to stay sane while making toile after toile and tweaking the fit. The dress has so many darts - which is what gives it such a lovely shape!

The most fun stage of the pattern development process is the photo shoots. While our set up may not look like much, our photographer Fanni always does such a great job of making the photos in our instructions booklets look amazing. Behold...

And then there's the model shoot, of course. Our gorgeous model for the Etta pattern, Vissolela, was such a babe. I screamed so much during this lemons dress shoot - soooooo perfect. (Take a look at the finished shots if you haven't seen them.) 

As well as directing the shoot, my other jobs on the day include buying "the spread" (our traditional shoot buffet - mostly cheese-based products) and holding up light reflectors when needed - looking most unglamorous next to our models (see top photo!!).

I did get in front of the camera to film our video workshop, Sew Your Own Knockout Dress. After weeks of planning and scripting, we shoot workshops in three extremely intense days using a brilliant professional filmmaker, Lara. She then spends a few weeks editing the lessons into the fun videos you'll see when you sign up to one of the classes.

In January, our team welcomed a new part time Studio Assistant, Louise. She loves sewing with our patterns and is regularly sporting beautiful handmade clothes - like this teal denim Cleo dress, made with one of our sewing kits. If you order something from our shop, it's usually Louise who has packed and sent out your parcel.

In February and March, we exhibited at three shows in quick succession - CHSI Stitches trade show in Birmingham, Knitting and Stitching retail show (ie. open to the public) in London and H+H trade show in Cologne. It's always so lovely to spend time talking to our customers face-to-face. Even though it's tiring planning, setting up, selling at and breaking down a show, I always feel energised afterwards, with fresh ideas and motivation. Here I am with the lovely Rumana (who you may recognise from the Sewing Bee) and Emily (wearing a kitty pocket Cleo dress - eep!).

And last but not least, over the last six months I've also been working on my greatest make to date - a little person! If you follow me on Instagram you may know that I have lost two babies before, so it's been a tough few months full of extreme anxiety. But now I'm in my third trimester the fear is beginning to ease and I'm hoping to meet my little boy in September :)

This photo was taken a couple of weeks ago on a mini babymoon to Venice. You know when people say Venice is overrated? It's not!!! It's the most beautiful city I've ever seen!

Thanks for letting me share what we've been up to. Now it's back to work!