If you haven't yet caught the bug for our
latest pattern Romy, that may be about to change!
It's Louise here, and I'm going to share some inspiration and fabric suggestions for making a wardrobe full of this stylish - and comfy! - top or dress. The envelope neckline, optional contrast binding and optional back ties make it a lovely pattern to get creative with. There is so much to tell you about Tilly's favourite pattern to date, so be sure to check out
our blog post giving you all the deets.
When choosing fabric for your make, shop for a medium-weight low stretch knit fabric such as jersey or interlock. As the pattern has a modern, looser fit, you don't need to worry about picking a fabric with a certain amount of stretch - yay! Tilly's tip is to avoid any fabric that is too clingy or drapey (like a viscose jersey) to avoid neckline droop. And, if you are making the back tie version, steer clear of anything thick so the knot doesn't end up bulky. A medium weight cotton jersey would be perfect.
I can share a little insider knowledge with you - there may or may not be Romy kits coming to the shop in the next few weeks with perfectly picked fabric to make a gorgeous Romy. But you didn't hear that from me : )
 |
| Clockwise L-R: 1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5 / 6 / 7 / 8 |
When designing the pattern, Tilly had her head in the French Riviera clouds - can you tell? Romy and stripes are a match made in heaven, but she looks lovely in all kinds of prints and plains.
 |
| Clockwise L-R: 1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5 / 6 / 7 / 8 |
Make a striped Romy and you will wear it
all the time! If you choose to make a classic Romy without the back ties, you can have fun playing with a contrast neck binding like
we did for the cap sleeve sample (I
love no. 4 with the red stripe and red binding). There are so many types of stripe to pick from, from Breton to wide stripe to variegated - we love them all.
Here's a lovely selection of droolsome stripes that would work perfectly for your everyday Romy.
 |
| Clockwise L-R: 1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5 / 6 / 7 |
You could make a technicolour dream Romy by choosing a fabric that is bright, bold, and fun. I love the bold coloured stripes and the confetti spots stripe - you could use fabric paint to add spots like this to your top.
We love love love all the colours of the rainbow, and making a multicoloured Romy would leave you with a permanent smile on your face.
 |
| Clockwise L-R: 1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5 / 6 |
Make your ice cream dreams come true with a pastel striped Romy. It's a lovely choice if you want to imagine yourself strutting along the sea front on a South of France jaunt with a cup of gelato.
This selection of pastels is almost edible - don't ya think? I really love the candy coloured pink stripes (no. 1) and no. 5 makes me think of munching on a bag of liquorice allsorts - mmmm!
 |
| Clockwise L-R: 1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5 / 6 / 7 |
Your basics no longer have to be basic with the gorgeous details you'll find on Romy. If you wanted to step them up a gear, you could make a plain Romy with a contrast neck binding. It's sure to become your favourite tee.
 |
| L-R: 1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5 / 6 |
Here's some inspiration for some not so basic basics. Choosing a nice bold colour will make your Romy the highlight of your outfit, but allow you to still go to town with a print on your bottom half. I especially love the idea of trying a Romy in a ribbed fabric (no. 3).
 |
| Clockwise L-R: 1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5 / 6 |
Playful prints are the most fun to work with. Whether you choose to add a chic detail to your stripes, or go all out floral, the choice is yours.
I want ALL of these prints so please somebody make them! You can't go wrong with a fun fruit (no. 4 and no. 6) and I love the seaside vibes of no. 1 and no. 3.
 |
| Clockwise L-R: 1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5 / 6 / 7 |
Another idea I think would be super fun is to play with contrast panels. You could do a solid and stripes with the Romy dress like no. 2, or do a contrasting body and sleeves. The possibilities are endless!
Now the question is, what to make first? Grab your sketchbook and get planning! And don't forget to share your
Romy makes with us on Instagram using
#SewingRomy We're so excited to see them :)
