When the second UK lockdown kicked in last month (thanks, Covid), I decided to make a Billie sweatshirt dress to mark the occasion. A call to arms for us to do our part to stop the spread, as well as lifting our spirits through creativity. A souvenir for a point in time, perhaps, but actually I am a bit of a homebody anyway so this sentiment will still apply to me in years to come!
As my vision for this sweatshirt was multicoloured letters, I went with a simple black fabric to make them pop. I chose a fleece-backed sweatshirt fabric from Minerva, along with a black ribbing I found in my stash for the neckband, cuffs and hem band.
To make the letters, I wrote the text in Montserrat (one of TATB's brand fonts, as it happens) in extra large size in an Adobe Illustrator file and printed them out on paper. After cutting around them with paper scissors, I placed them face down on the back of some Happy Fabric iron-on vinyl, drew around them, then carefully cut out the vinyl (again, with paper scissors). Finally, I pressed them onto the finished sweatshirt and peeled off the backing following Happy Fabric's instructions, with a sheet of baking paper acting as a cover sheet.
One of the things I love love love about this pattern is how quickly it comes together. I whipped it up on the overlocker in a lunchtime!
If you're nervous about sewing with sweatshirt fabric, firstly, don't be - it really is very simple - and secondly, check out my tips on sewing with sweatshirt fabrics. And if you're interested in getting to grips with an overlocker or serger, a heads up that we have a new online workshop coming your way very soon, so watch this space ;) (Or if you're reading this after late December 2021, it should be live already!)
As you may have already spotted, not only am I sharing my latest make today, but also another creation growing in my belly! Keeping everything crossed that we will meet our second little boy in April 2021 :)
For this reason, I cut a size larger than my usual pattern size for extra growing room and comfort. I also cut the hemline slightly longer than I usually would - partly as it will rise up as the bump hopefully grows, and partly because sweatshirt fleece loves nothing more than shrinking in the wash, so better safe than sorry!
If you make your own Billie sweatshirt or dress, we would love to see it! Please do share with us on Instagram @TillyButtons #SewingBillie.
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Author: Tilly Walnes
Sewing pattern: Billie sweatshirt and dress
Fabric: Minerva
Muddy boots: Model's own (hehe)
