Meet the Skye sundress - available in sizes UK 6-24 and UK 16-34!
Picture this. You wake up and it's a beautiful, sunny day. You wish you had an easy-breezy, throw-it-on sundress to wear. And then it hits you, you do - the Skye sundress! We're delighted to share with your our latest sewing pattern, which is available in two size bands - sizes UK 6-24 and UK 16-34 - yay! We think you're going to love her :)
Skye is the ultimate sundress (if we do say so ourselves), with three hemlines and delicious details to see you through the warmer months in style. Dress Skye down in the day with trainers and sunglasses, or pair it with some wedge heels in the evening to sashay to a dinner date.
Excited to learn about Skye? Let's go...
NEW UK 16-34 SIZE RANGE
The Skye sundress 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.
THE DESIGN
The Skye sundress was designed with hot, sticky, summer days in mind. You know, those days where you want to wear something fuss-free whilst sill feeling ultra-cool. And for those days when it's a bit cooler, Skye also looks gorgeous layered over a simple t-shirt.
Skye has an easy-fitting empire waist bodice, which is gently shaped with bust pleats, and the neckline and armholes are finished on the inside with bias binding (new skill alert!). The neckline has a gorgeous, slightly square scoop shape, and is designed to cover a bra. Speaking of bras, there's also an option to sew bra stays to the dress' straps for extra added security - it's the little details that make sewing your own clothes so special :)
If you want to add an extra touch of whimsy to your dress, there's an option to add cute faux ties to the straps. We've been going wild for these in the TATB office!
Skye has a flowy, gathered skirt with mini, knee and maxi hem lengths to choose from. And, last but by no means least, the Skye sundress has deep, in-seam pockets for all of your essentials, and by essentials we of course mean ice-cream money.
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.
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.
TIPS AND TUTORIALS
The Skye sundress is suitable for confident beginners. If you've made a couple of garments before, you're ready to sew Skye! If you're feeling a little apprehensive (we've all been there), pick a stable fabric such as a cotton lawn or cotton poplin, as opposed to something swishy and draper like a viscose, as cotton fabrics tend to be easier to work with.
Our instructions will hold your hand every step of the way, but if you need a little more guidance we have some additional resources on our dedicated Skye blog page to help you further. We have some existing blog posts and videos with extra info on some of the techniques used in the pattern instructions, such as gathering, understitching and how to make a threadchain. Keep your eyes peeled for Abi's fabric inspiration blog post for making Skye (it's a goodie!), a blog post with guidance to common fitting alterations you might want to make to your sundress, and a video all about getting a neat bias binding finish. These will go live over the next few weeks so keep an eye on the Skye sundress blog page so you're the first to know when they're released!
FABRIC AND SUPPLIES
Skye works with a wide variety of light- to medium-weight fabrics such as cotton lawn, poplin, seersucker, lighter-weight linen and blends, double gauze, viscose (rayon), lyocell (Tencel), silk or poly crepe de chine.
The fabric you choose for your Skye can really inform the silhouette and overall look of the dress. This means you can make the pattern several times in different fabrics, and get a different overall look each time - result! Cotton poplin, linen and seersucker are slightly structured fabrics, which will look great when made in the mini-length version. For the knee- and maxi-length versions, something a bit drapier and softer will look utterly fab - try a viscose, viscose/linen blend, lyocell (tencel), silk or poly crepe de chine for fabrics with an irresistible swoooosh.
Aside from fabric and thread, you'll need very little in the way of supplies for the Skye sundress. You have the choice of either buying pre-made bias binding or making your own. The instructions cover how to sew with both so we've got you covered whatever you choose, however if you're a beginner (or time poor like me), buying bias binding will speed up your sewing time and make things a bit simpler. Look for a 10-13mm (1/8-1/2in) wide single fold bias binding if you want to buy it pre-made, or a lightweight cotton if you want to make your own. You may even have some offcuts of a suitable fabric in your stash to use - winner!
We also recommend stabilising the neckline and armholes with iron-on seam tape if you're using a delicate, shifty fabric such as viscose. It's super easy to apply and is available at loads of haberdasheries and fabric shops in the UK. We used this tape which was very easy to use and apply.
If you want to make the optional bra stays (to attach your bra to the dress straps), you'll need 2 small sew-on snaps and a hand sewing needle. All of our supplies are listed in detail on the Skye shop page - check it out for more info :)
16-34 SIZE RANGE PLANS
The Skye sundress is the second brand new sewing pattern design that we've launched in our new UK 16-34 size band, with the first design being the Lyra shirt dress. We've also launched our best selling Billie sweatshirt and sweater dress, and Jaimie PJs in the UK 16-34 size range too.
We're delighted to share that we're working on two new designs to be launched in both of our UK 6-24 and UK 16-34 size bands, as well as two more of our best selling designs. We can't wait to get these out into the world!
Fancy sunning yourself in a Skye sundress? Us too! 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 process shots so don't forget to tag us on Instagram @TillyButtons using the hashtag #SewingSkye so we can see what you've made.
