28 December 2017

Ten Favourite Posts of 2017

How to sew a mitred corner - Tilly and the Buttons

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 - Tilly and the Buttons
How to sew a mitred corner - Tilly and the Buttons

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.

26 December 2017

30% Off Online Sewing Workshops!


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


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!


Sale ends Sunday 7 January midnight GMT

20 December 2017

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

Sewing Space Tours - Selmin's Gorgeous Space! - Tilly and the Buttons

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.

Sewing Space Tours - Selmin's Gorgeous Space! - Tilly and the Buttons

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.

Sewing Space Tours - Selmin's Gorgeous Space! - Tilly and the Buttons

13 December 2017

Team Buttons Christmas Party Outfits - and a Discount Code!

Team Buttons Christmas Party Outfits

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!

Christmas party Cleo dungaree dress - Tilly and the Buttons

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.

6 December 2017

First Peek at My New Book!

Stretch! Make Yourself Comfortable Sewing with Knit Fabrics - Tilly and the Buttons

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!

29 November 2017

Free Pattern! Make Your Own Snuggly Slipper Boots

Free Sewing Pattern! Make Your Own Snuggly Slipper Boots - Tilly and the Buttons

With the holidays fast approaching, it's the time of year that calls for fleecy pyjamas, a bottomless tub of Quality Street... and how about a cosy pair of handmade slipper boots?

As a thank you for reading the blog this year, we wanted to treat you to super speedy slipper sewing pattern to get stuck into. This is a fab project if you’ve just got a few hours to dedicate to crafting time as they’re very quick to put together. They also don’t require much fabric, so are a great stash buster. Enjoy!

Download the free Slipper Boots sewing pattern


To ensure your pattern prints at the right size, be sure to open and print the pattern in Adobe Reader (you can download it for free) and print it at "actual size" or "100% scale" in the print settings. If you're new to digital patterns, read more about printing and assembling your pattern.

Free Sewing Pattern! Make Your Own Snuggly Slipper Boots - Tilly and the Buttons

You will need: 

  • 30cm (3/8yd) of main fabric - medium to heavy-weight sweatshirting, fleece, velour or woven cotton
  • Matching thread
  • 30cm (3/8yd) of lining fabric - cosy faux fur, fleece, jersey, fleece, velour or flannel
  • 30cm (3/8yd) of cotton wadding 
  • Optional: Anti-slip rubber dotted fabric (we found ours on Ebay)
  • Sewing machine and basic tools
15mm (5/8in) seam allowance is included in the pattern.

Cut out all the pieces you need in your size as noted on the pattern pieces. Cut short snips for the notches.

Free Sewing Pattern! Make Your Own Snuggly Slipper Boots - Tilly and the Buttons

In your main fabric, place the toe panel on top of the front panel, right sides together, and pin them together along the front panel seam. Stitch.

Trim the seam allowances down to about half their width, then notch little triangles into the curves every 30mm (1in) or so, being careful not to cut through the stitching. Press the seam allowances open. Repeat for the other boot.

Free Sewing Pattern! Make Your Own Snuggly Slipper Boots - Tilly and the Buttons

Place the back panel on top of the front and toe panels, right sides together. Pin them together along the inside and outside leg seams, matching notches. Stitch.

Free Sewing Pattern! Make Your Own Snuggly Slipper Boots - Tilly and the Buttons

Trim the seam allowances down to about half their width, then press the seam allowances open. Repeat for the other boot.

Free Sewing Pattern! Make Your Own Snuggly Slipper Boots - Tilly and the Buttons

Repeat the previous two steps with the lining fabric, but leave a 5cm (2in) opening in the middle of the inside leg seam.

Free Sewing Pattern! Make Your Own Snuggly Slipper Boots - Tilly and the Buttons

Place the wadding on top of the base panels in the main fabric, wrong sides together. Pin them together around the base panel seam, matching notches. Tack (baste) the layers of fabric together with a 10mm (3/8in) seam allowance.

Free Sewing Pattern! Make Your Own Snuggly Slipper Boots - Tilly and the Buttons

With the boot (the front, back and toe panels) turned wrong side out, place the base panel on top of it. Pin them together around the base panel seam, right sides together, matching notches. Stitch. Trim the seam allowances down to about half their width, then turn the boot right side out. Finger press the base panel seam to smooth it out.

Free Sewing Pattern! Make Your Own Snuggly Slipper Boots - Tilly and the Buttons

Turn the boot lining inside out and slip it over the main boot, right sides together. Pin them together around the top opening seam, matching notches. Stitch.

Free Sewing Pattern! Make Your Own Snuggly Slipper Boots - Tilly and the Buttons

If your sewing machine has a free arm, you can remove the cover to understitch the seam allowances of the top opening to the lining. Understitching will help keep the lining tucked inside the boot. This step isn't essential, so feel free to skip it if your machine doesn’t have a free sewing arm!

Free Sewing Pattern! Make Your Own Snuggly Slipper Boots - Tilly and the Buttons

Pull the bottom of the boot lining out through the opening in the inside leg seam. Place the lining base on top of the boot lining, wrong sides together. Pin together around the base panel seam, matching notches. Stitch. Trim the seam allowances.

Free Sewing Pattern! Make Your Own Snuggly Slipper Boots - Tilly and the Buttons

Turn the lining right side out through the opening along the inside leg seam. Machine or hand stitch the opening closed. Finger press the base panel seam to smooth it out.

Free Sewing Pattern! Make Your Own Snuggly Slipper Boots - Tilly and the Buttons

Finally, push the lining inside the main boot. You might need to wiggle the lining around inside the boot to get it to sit in the right place. You can fold the top down to show off a jazzy contrasting lining!

Free Sewing Pattern! Make Your Own Snuggly Slipper Boots - Tilly and the Buttons

Enjoy! These boots would be perfect paired with our Jaimie pyjamas or the Juno PJs from our Make It Simple book.

22 November 2017

Black Friday Sale - 25% off!

https://shop.tillyandthebuttons.com/collections/sewingpatterns
It's time for our biggest sale of the year! Grab a bargain in our Black Friday sale with a massive 25% off our printed and digital sewing patterns - woohoo!

Stock up on Christmas presents for crafty friends or treat yourself.

Visit the shop and enter code FRIYAY at checkout
Offer ends Monday 27 November midnight GMT

Go forth and shop! xxx

https://shop.tillyandthebuttons.com/collections/sewingpatterns
https://shop.tillyandthebuttons.com/collections/printed-sewing-patterns
https://shop.tillyandthebuttons.com/collections/printed-sewing-patterns
https://shop.tillyandthebuttons.com/collections/printed-sewing-patterns
The discount code is not valid on pattern bundles, sewing kits, books, buckles or online workshops. 25% discount ends Monday 27 November 2017 at midnight GMT.

8 November 2017

How to Make a Padded Coat Hang


So you’ve poured your heart and soul into your handmade dress, snipped the final thread, heaved a satisfied sigh, squealed with delighted pride…and then promptly hung it up on a natty wire coat hanger!

If this sounds like you, consider giving your dressmaking projects the badge of honour they deserve by whipping up one of these beautiful, silky, padded coat hangers. Vanessa here today, with the steps to show you how. I was inspired to make this hanger for my Etta dress - far too special for a regular hanger!

Not only do these hangers protect your delicate clothes from the lumps, bumps and indents that wooden and wire hangers can make, but they also allow you to channel your inner 1950s boudoir goddess, (or “inner Nana” as Tilly says, but let’s ignore her!).



1 November 2017

2017 Christmas gift guide!

Tilly and the Buttons crafty Christmas gift guide 2017!
Hello Sailor Heavy Interlock fabric from Tilly and the Buttons from £8.50
Pink Dressmaker Shears 8" from Ernest Wright and Son £40

Christmas is fast approaching which means it's time for mince pies, decorations, and presents! Do you know what you're getting for your crafty friends? Browse our top selection of gorgeous gifts and stocking fillers for your nearest and dearest. Don't forget to treat yourself too :)

Tilly and the Buttons crafty Christmas gift guide 2017!
17-Month Agenda - No Bad Days from Ban.do $28
Etta Dress Kit from Tilly and the Buttons from £45

25 October 2017

Sewing Space Tours... Hayley's Girly HQ!

Sewing Space Tours... Hayley's Girly HQ!
Sewing Space Tours... Hayley's Girly HQ!

Today is a good day - it's a Sewing Space Tour kinda day! Today's creative sewist, who has allowed us a look around where the crafting magic happens, sends out boxes full of sewing goodies to lucky recipients around the UK. Let's hear more from the lady herself...

Hey! Welcome to my little sewing room!

I’m Hayley and you can find me here most days either working on my sewing subscription box company SewHayleyJane, which involves planning each box, vlogging, blogging, writing emails, posting to Instagram... or sewing!! Working in this little space definitely makes it very enjoyable. I live near Winchester in Hampshire with my husband Andy, but due to renting our house, it’s a pet-free zone. As soon as we moved in, this room had my name on it as my sewing and craft room, and I’m very lucky to have a dedicated space where I can be as girly as I like, and cover the walls with bunting and fairy lights!

Sewing Space Tours... Hayley's Girly HQ!

11 October 2017

Your Makes!

Tilly and the Buttons – Your Makes

Hello there friends! It’s Katie here, the newest member of the Tilly and the Buttons team, ready to show your latest creations some love! I must say I’m super inspired by all of your stunning makes of our sewing patterns from the past few months. You all make me want to run to my sewing machine pronto! But without further ado, bring on the sewing loveliness!

We were thrilled to see Anna’s maternity Bettine dress,  doesn’t it look perfect for her pregnancy photoshoot? We're also swooning over the beautiful floral fabric that Anna used for her Bettine dress.

Tilly and the Buttons – Your Makes

We have more floral love for Ginny’s Arielle! Isn’t this tropical print wonderful? If wild prints are not your thing, Ellie shows us that Arielle looks just as good in classic denim, plus she gets extra points of pairing it with stripes (one of our fave styles!)

Tilly and the Buttons – Your Makes

Cleo fever is still taking over our Instagram and we can’t get enough of your makes! We particularly love Liz’s cute Dino print Cleo and the stunning topstitching on Reana’s.

4 October 2017

Five Design Hacks for the Cleo Dungaree Dress

Five Design Hacks for the Cleo Dungaree Dress - Tilly and the Buttons

Following on from the popularity of our post on hacks for the Bettine dress, I thought it high time we shared some of the amazing design variations you’ve been making to the Cleo dungaree dress! One of our most popular sewing patterns, Cleo is quick to make and easy to wear. How about trying out one of these design hacks next time you make it?

Five Design Hacks for the Cleo Dungaree Dress - Tilly and the Buttons
Five Design Hacks for the Cleo Dungaree Dress - Tilly and the Buttons

1) Button front panel

Inspired by dungaree dresses spotted on the high street, Abi added a button down opening to the front of her dungaree dress. I love this style – so seventies! Want to make one just like it? You’re in luck, as she’s shared a tutorial on how she did it.

27 September 2017

Behind The Scenes at the Shows

Tilly and the Buttons: Shows Update!

Tilly and the Buttons recently exhibited at not one, but two shows here in London town. Lexy here, to give you a peek behind the scenes, and tell you more about them!

First up, we were at The Handmade Fair. This was our third time exhibiting at this event, and it's one that we always look forward to, as it's always such fun to meet so many lovely crafters... and there's the alluring promise of prosecco at the end of a long day!

Tilly and the Buttons: Shows Update!

Jo and I had a fantastic time greeting visitors to the show, Jo wearing her Bettine dress and I in my Etta dress (also known as Favourite Dress Ever).

Tilly and the Buttons: Shows Update!

20 September 2017

Sewing Space Tours... Jade's Kitsch Haven!

Sewing Space Tours... Jade's Kitsch Haven!

Hello! Lexy here, to bring you another lovely Sewing Space, where a crafter show us around their creative area. Today we have a sweet space in South Wales, belonging to a dressmakers who has an enviable 60s style handmade wardrobe - we love seeing her makes on Instagram. Let's hear more from the lady herself...

Hello! I’m Jade, welcome to my little sewing sanctuary in sunny South Wales. I am relatively new to the realms of dressmaking and have only really been getting to know my way around a sewing machine for the past three years. By day I work in an office-based role in Bristol but by night can be found in my little sewing haven, musing over my next big make.

Sewing Space Tours... Jade's Kitsch Haven!
Sewing Space Tours... Jade's Kitsch Haven!

I have always been a creative individual and have enjoyed crafting from a young age. At university I studied Graphic Design, which instilled my admiration of beautiful craftsmanship and contemporary design. There was a time when I believed my love for fashion and textiles would be limited to high street trending ready-to-wear garments. Learning of the wonderful indie sewing makers movement really changed all of this for me and after pouring over many inspirational sewing blogs (including Tilly and the Buttons!), I wanted in! In the beginning I attended a brilliant beginners dressmaking class and learnt basic skills and techniques but soon realised that if I was going to take the next step I’d need to make some room at home to build upon these skills!