13 February 2020

My new book Make It Simple is out today!

Make It Simple - Tilly and the Buttons

It's here! After many months of planning, writing, scheming, drafting, truing, cutting, stitching, photographing, proofing and (ahem) fabric shopping, my new book Make It Simple is out today.

In case you missed our announcement to our email list members and on social media, this is earlier than previously advertised after the warehouse got a little bit over-excited and started sending books out to bookshops early - oopsie! After discussing with the publisher, we decided to bring the official launch date forward to make it fair to those of you who pre-ordered from our online shop (if this was you, check your letterbox!).

As you can imagine, it's made us a little frantic over here signing books (me), packing orders and getting them out in time (Frances and Kate), as well as bringing forward the schedule of extra content and pattern downloads that we've been working on behind the scenes (me, Louise, Jenny, Nikki and Kate). But it's a good problem to have as for you guys it means you get to start sewing earlier - hooray!

Safiya playsuit sewing pattern - Make It Simple - Tilly and the Buttons

I set out writing Make It Simple with the aim of helping you fit more creativity into your life, no matter how busy you are with work, family and other life commitments.

With time being one of the biggest barriers to sewing, I want to share with you my approach to fitting sewing into the smallest windows of time, as well as time-saving tips and shortcuts to speed up your sewing without compromising the quality of your creations.

It's this approach that has helped me get my sew-jo (sewing mojo) back - nay, set it on fire! - since having my son and juggling being a mum with running a business.

Juno pyjamas sewing pattern - Make It Simple - Tilly and the Buttons
Juno pyjamas sewing pattern - Make It Simple - Tilly and the Buttons

The book includes six main sewing patterns, each with multiple variations totalling 24 projects. They're all easy to make, speedy to sew, simple to fit, with no fiddly fastenings or complex supplies lists.

The patterns come in ten sizes from a UK 6-24 (US 2-20) - having a wide range of sizes like this is unusual for a book, so something we're particularly proud to have pulled off with the support of our publishers. The patterns are included on printed sheets in the back ready to be traced off, or you can download them to print at home or at a copy shop if you prefer.

Bertha cardigan sewing pattern - Make It Simple - Tilly and the Buttons

Over the next couple of weeks, I'm going to take you through each pattern in the book, the variations and supplies needed - so watch this space!

I am super proud of this book - in fact, I think it's the best thing I've done to date - so I really hope you enjoy reading and sewing with it :)

We would absolutely LOVE to see the book in your hands as well as your sewing plans, works in progress and finished makes, so please share with us on Instagram @TillyButtons with the hashtag #MakeItSimpleBook (and, if you make one of the patterns, #SewingSafiya or whatever the hashtag is for that pattern).

Happy simple sewing, everyone!

Make It Simple - Tilly and the Buttons

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Author: Tilly Walnes
Make It Simple is published by Quadrille (Hardie Grant)
Model photography: © Ellie Smith
Model shoot props and styling: Clare Nicolson
Models: Karen Arthur, Samantha Waude, Paige Joanna, Kristabel Plummer, Phoebe Nickalls