7 April 2021

Meet the Lyra Dress - Our First UK 6-34 Sewing Pattern!

 Lyra dress - UK 6-34 sewing pattern by Tilly and the Buttons

Are you ready for a new swoonsome addition to the TATB collection? Say hello to the romantic yet comfy Lyra shirt dress which is the first pattern available in both our new UK 16-34 size range and our existing UK 6-24 size range - yay! 

Packed with beautiful details, Lyra is sure to capture your heart - especially those billowy long sleeves. With two sleeve and hem lengths to choose from, Lyra can be made at any time of the year, no matter what hemisphere you're in. Lyra is a great pattern to build your skills as you'll be tackling sewing a collar and beautiful buttonholes - you'll be so proud to say you made it yourself! 

Lyra dress - UK 6-34 sewing pattern by Tilly and the Buttons

NEW UK 16-34 SIZE RANGE

The Lyra shirt dress is available in our new UK 16-34 size range, which has a whole new size chart, going up to a 152.5cm (60in) bust, 134.5cm (53in) waist and 155cm (61in) hip, with different proportions to get the best fit. The most noticeable difference in the proportions from our current patterns is that the tummy is slightly fuller and the bust is curvier (a 10cm/4in difference between high bust and full bust, as opposed to 5cm/2in difference in our current chart). 

Want a little more help picking which size range is best for you? Check out this blog post which guides you through the differences.


Lyra dress - UK 6-34 sewing pattern by Tilly and the Buttons
Lyra dress - UK 6-34 sewing pattern by Tilly and the Buttons
Lyra dress - UK 6-34 sewing pattern by Tilly and the Buttons
Lyra dress - UK 6-34 sewing pattern by Tilly and the Buttons
Lyra dress - UK 6-34 sewing pattern by Tilly and the Buttons
Lyra dress - UK 6-34 sewing pattern by Tilly and the Buttons

THE DESIGN 

This ultra-cool shirt dress has an oversized, blousy bodice with bust darts, button front opening, two-piece collar and stand, and, of course, side seam pockets (where would we be without our pockets?!). 

The gathered skirt can be hemmed just above the knee, or add the midi panel for a trendy tiered look. Choose between short sleeves for easy-breezy summer style or full-length billowy sleeves with elasticated cuffs. 

You can choose to wear Lyra loose and floaty or add an optional narrow tie to cinch you in at the waist.

Lyra dress - UK 6-34 sewing pattern by Tilly and the Buttons
Lyra dress - UK 6-34 sewing pattern by Tilly and the Buttons
Lyra dress - UK 6-34 sewing pattern by Tilly and the Buttons
Lyra dress - UK 6-34 sewing pattern by Tilly and the Buttons

Endlessly versatile, pick a cooling cotton for the heat, cosy needlecord for the winter or a drapey viscose for added swish!

Lyra dress - UK 6-34 sewing pattern by Tilly and the Buttons

THE SEWING PATTERN

Our award-winning sewing patterns feature clear instructions with step-by-step colour photos to guide you through the project. The pattern pieces themselves are clearly labelled so you can see which seam is which and how they go together. 

Order the printed sewing pattern for sizes UK 6-24 and we'll send you a beautiful package in the post, with full-colour instruction booklet. Made in the UK, our patterns are printed on durable paper which you can use again and again without it tearing or scrunching up. 

As well as our online shop, you can buy them from fabric shops and department shops around the world - check out our list of stockists

Lyra dress - UK 6-34 sewing pattern by Tilly and the Buttons

Our PDF pattern is available in a choice of two size bands - either a UK 6-24 or a UK 16-34. You'll get an email in an instant with a PDF to download that you can either print at home on A4 or Letter size paper and stick the sheets together, or send the A0 version to a copyshop or pattern printer to print full scale.

Lyra dress - UK 6-34 sewing pattern by Tilly and the Buttons
Lyra dress - UK 6-34 sewing pattern by Tilly and the Buttons

TIPS AND TUTORIALS 

Lyra is suitable for improvers, so is a great pattern to build your skills as you'll be tackling sewing a collar and beautiful buttonholes - you'll be so proud to say you made yourself! It wouldn't be a Tilly and the Buttons' pattern without a little extra helping hand. 

We have a tutorial - with video - showing you how to make thread chain belt loops that will make that process easy-peasy. It's actually quite an addictive, and useful, technique to learn.

If buttonholes make you a little nervous (we all know this feeling), you might find our video tutorials for sewing one-step buttonholes and for sewing four-step buttonholes help take the fear away and replace it with super-skills!

Lyra dress - UK 6-34 sewing pattern by Tilly and the Buttons
Lyra dress - UK 6-34 sewing pattern by Tilly and the Buttons

FABRIC AND SUPPLIES

Lyra works with a wide variety of light- to medium-weight woven fabrics, such as cotton lawn, voile, seersucker, chambray, double gauze, viscose (rayon), Tencel (lyocell) or lighter weight needlecord. 

The choice of fabric really informs the silhouette, with more drapey fabrics being ideal for swishing, and those with a little more body to them being perfect for showing off the shape. 

You'll complete Lyra with 5 x 12-15mm (1/2-5/8in) buttons and the long sleeve version requires your wrist measurement x 2 in 10mm (3/8in) wide elastic. 

Keep your eyes peeled for Abi's inspiration and fabric picks blog post for making Lyra which is coming soon.

Lyra dress - UK 6-34 sewing pattern by Tilly and the Buttons

16-34 SIZE RANGE PLANS 

Lyra is just the first release we are planning for this year that will come in our new UK 16-34 size range. We will be launching TWO of our most popular patterns in a few weeks time (eek!) and are aiming to add another two popular patterns later in the year. 

Psst! We can also share that we have THREE more new designs in the works for this year that will be released in both of the size bands - UK 6-24 and UK 16-34. We are beyond excited about them and hope you love them as much as we do :)

Lyra dress - UK 6-34 sewing pattern by Tilly and the Buttons

Dreaming about swishing around in a sensational Lyra? We thought so! Buy a copy from our online shop - don't forget to choose the size range option you want. 

We always love seeing your makes and progress shots so don't forget to tag us on Instagram @TillyButtons using the hashtag #SewingLyra so we can see your lovely creations.

*****
Author: Louise Carmichael
Models: UK 6-24 size range - Marcela Solarte @mama.on.a.sew / UK 16-34 size range - Sarah Baillie @superbailles
Photographer: Jane Looker
Video: Filmed by Jane Looker, edited by Jenny Lingham-Doe
Hair & makeup: Marcela's by Laura Anne and Sarah did her own! 
Samples: Sewn by Lisa Obuchowska 

Marcela's samples:
1. Lady McElroy viscose challis in turquoise from Minerva Crafts 
2. Blue needlecord from Fabrics Galore (gifted) 
3. Lady Mcelroy artisan splash cotton lawn (multi) – Higgs and Higgs (gifted) 
Marcela is wearing a size 4 (UK12) 

Sarah's samples: 
1. Blue cotton lawn “Buzz” – Storrs London (gifted) 
2. White Viscose with black spots – Sew Me Sunshine (gifted)
Sarah is wearing a size 11 (UK 26)