27 November 2020

Team Makes - The Billie Sweatshirt Edition

Billie Sweatshirt Team Makes - Tilly and the Buttons

Our latest sewing pattern release, the Billie sweatshirt and sweater dress, has been super popular with our lovely customers. And it's been highly coveted by Team Buttons too! 

The Billie sweatshirt is the perfect thing to wear when you want to look on-trend and feel comfortable at the same time. Better yet, Billie is endlessly versatile, with loads of different design details and opportunities to add your unique twist. Choose between making a sweatshirt or sweater dress, add regular or balloon sleeves, and if you fancy it, go wild by adding with pre-made patterned cuffs and vinyl motifs. Suffice to say, the Buttons have opted for all of these options for their Billies :)

Kate, Frances and I (Nikki) have each stitched up a very different Billie and want to show them off to the world. Carry on reading to see what we've been making...

Billie Sweatshirt Team Makes - Tilly and the Buttons

I don't know about you but when I saw Frances's Billie sweatshirt I was blown away! Our Office and Wholesale Assistant had the initial idea for it over a year ago, long before Billie came into being. 

Billie Sweatshirt Team Makes - Tilly and the Buttons

She was inspired by the sweatshirts worn by the dancers in a scene from the film Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, and couldn’t get the sweatshirts out of her head! She became obsessed and, with the help of Hayley from Happy Fabric, hunted down the perfect shade of orange iron-on vinyl for the “Hullabaloo” slogan. She also found the snuggliest fleece-back sweatshirting with matching ribbing from Etsy. Isn't it so satisfying when a great sewing plan comes together?

The only change Frances made to the pattern was to shorten the bodice by 5cm (2in) for a more cropped length. This was the first time she'd used iron-on vinyl and, although hand-cutting the lettering took a bit of time and patience, she's so pleased with the result! Her sweatshirt has quickly become one of her most worn makes and she loves pairing it with high-waisted, flared jeans for a full 70s look. It also looks super cute worn with her black cord Bobbi skirt.

Billie Sweatshirt Team Makes - Tilly and the Buttons


I (Nikki, Product Manager) stitched up this green and black sweater dress with black ribbing during the development stage of the Billie pattern process. As soon as I put it on I was in love. Since I made this dress, the main features of the pattern have stayed predominantly the same, however, the pockets are higher on the final version, and the dress is a touch shorter than pictured here. Otherwise, it's very close to the finished product. 

Billie Sweatshirt Team Makes - Tilly and the Buttons
I can't get enough of how comfortable this dress is. I picked up this organic sweatshirt fleece from Fabric Godmother, and beady-eyed readers might notice it's a different colourway of the fabric we used for the balloon sleeve dress in our model shoot. Not only is the fabric super snuggly on the inside, the shape of the dress is also massively comfortable too. It's the perfect Goldilocks-esque fit - not too tight, not too loose, but just right. The sort of outfit you could wear to work or out with friends and feel comfortable and smart in at the same time. 

Billie Sweatshirt Team Makes - Tilly and the Buttons


I can't wait to make more Billies, and have four planned at the latest count! There's a gorgeous dusky rose sweatshirt fabric in my stash which is begging to be made into a regular sleeve Billie sweatshirt when I can find a spare couple of hours. I've just bought my first flat (eeek!) so I'm very time poor at the moment whilst we pack and decorate, but this will be the first thing I'm going to make as soon as I can.

Billie Sweatshirt Team Makes - Tilly and the Buttons

Our Office Manager Kate loves a dramatic sleeve, so I wasn't surprised at all when she said she'd made a Billie sweatshirt with balloon sleeves so she can - and I quote - live her "best Dynasty life!". She made her Billie sweatshirt in a black French Terry from Stoff and Stil, and added some orange leopard print cuffs (her favourite colour combined with her favourite print) on the sleeves from Sister Mintaka for a fun contrast against the dark fabric. 

Billie Sweatshirt Team Makes - Tilly and the Buttons


Kate thinks her Billie is the perfect sweatshirt to wear in the coming winter months as it will keep her sensibly warm during the cold weather and make her feel glamourous at the same time. Is there a more perfect combination? She's planning on wearing this on Christmas Eve, with a glass of fizz in one hand and gesticulating wildly with the other to show off those sleeves! 

Billie Sweatshirt Team Makes - Tilly and the Buttons




Are you as besotted with Billie as Team Buttons are? Don't forget to tag your creations on Instagram @TillyButtons with the hashtag #SewingBillie. We can't wait to see what you make! 

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Author: Nikki Hoar