Ten Favourite Posts of 2017

I love this time of year, when we get to slow down, take stock and look back at what we've done over the past twelve months. We've shared lots of juicy posts with you on the blog this year, from sewing tips and tricks, through free patterns, to peeks behind the scenes at Tilly and the Buttons HQ. Here are ten favourite posts from 2017...

How to sew a mitred corner

Create a lovely neat finish on exposed corners, such as blouse hems, napkins and the kick pleat on the Etta wiggle dress.

30% Off Online Sewing Workshops!

Fancy joining me for some sewing time over the holidays? Get 30% off online workshops in our big sale!

Enter the code SEWINGSKILLS at the checkout to get 30% off

Choose from five different classes in which I share my sewing techniques, tips and tricks - from beginner to advanced classes. The beauty of the online format is that the video lessons give you a close up view of the sewing in action, and you can pause, rewind and rewatch them whenever you like, as many times as you like. You don’t have to leave the house or get out of your PJs!

Enter the code SEWINGSKILLS at the checkout to get 30% off

Sale ends Sunday 7 January midnight GMT

Sewing Space Tours... Selmin's Gorgeous Space!

For today's Sewing Space Tour, where someone creative shows us where the crafting magic happens, we're in Germany, with one of our favourite bloggers. We love seeing Selmin's makes, and are totally in love with her gorgeous space, too! Over to this talented crafter for more...

Hi! I’m Selmin from Cologne in Germany, and I am really happy to show you around my sewing space today. I only discovered sewing five years ago, and got excited about it straight away. Two years later, I took a year off from my sales and marketing job at an IT consulting firm for a professional re-orientation.

Whereas others would start travelling, I took my sewing machine and started a year long "sewbatical", which I also used to start my sewing blog, Tweed & Greet. I loved this time, and it not only led to 35 handmade garments, but also to full-time blogging and working as a freelancer on creative projects that combine my two favourite activities: sewing and writing.

Team Buttons Christmas Party Outfits - and a Discount Code!

With Christmas just around the corner, Joanne and Katie of Team Buttons have been stitching up their festive party outfits ready to strut them on the dancefloor!

We partnered with Spoonflower for their Holiday Blog Hop for this post and they kindly sent us the beautiful fabric we used. Let’s hear from Joanne and Katie about their gorgeous new Christmas dresses!



Joanne here! My go to for a festive party dress is something that sparkles, so this was where I started my search on Spoonflower. I picked the Gold Glitter Palm Leaf print in the Celosia Velvet. The design doesn’t state that actual glitter will be printed, but the imitation of the golden leaves gives a stunning appearance of a twinkling glow.

Super happy with my choice, the velvet has a good weight and is super soft – ideal for whipping up an elegant Cleo dungaree dress.

First Peek at My New Book!

It’s been a secret for far too long… I’m so excited to finally share with you the title and cover of my new book - Stretch! Make Yourself Comfortable Sewing with Knit Fabrics.

Published by Quadrille, the book will be out in early March 2018 – and you can pre-order it NOW from Amazon.co.uk (UK) or Amazon.com (North America)!

Pre-orders really help by showing potential stockists that there’s interest in the book – so I really really appreciate it when anyone orders their book in advance :)

So what’s the book about? Two key words in the title say it all – “stretch” and “comfortable”. A perfect follow on to my first book Love at First Stitch, it’s about stretching your skills by learning to sew stretchy knit fabric; and getting comfortable with these fabrics so you can make clothes that are so comfortable you’ll want to wear them every day!

Stretch! is jam-packed full of techniques and tips for choosing, cutting, fitting and stitching jersey, double knit (or ponte), sweatshirting, sweater knits, stretch velvet and sequin knits. Knit fabrics have a reputation for being tricky to sew – but I want to show you that, with a few tricks up your (handmade) sleeve, they’re actually not that difficult after all. In fact, once you know how, knit fabrics are speedy to sew, a dream to wear – and totally addictive!