22 December 2021

Top Ten Blog Posts of 2021

Top Ten Blog Posts of 2021
Bethany Rutter by Jane Looker Photography

What a rollercoaster of a year 2021 has been! Before the end of the year is up Tilly will be sharing her reflections on the blog, but today we're sharing our top ten blog posts of 2021, as read by YOU!

The Tilly and the Buttons blog continues to be our place to share handy sewing tips & tricks, inspiration for your makes and a whole host of other crafty content. Keep your eyes peeled, because for 2022 we've got BIG plans for this blog and we can't wait to get stuck in - eek.

Here are some of the most popular blog posts from the last 12 months in case you've missed them or just want to take another look :) 

FREE PATTERN! OVERSIZED DETACHABLE COLLAR

FREE PATTERN! OVERSIZED DETACHABLE COLLAR

Try a cute detachable collar to style up your outfits this season! Perhaps you're loving the oversized and statement collar blouses that are popping up but aren't ready to commit to the full look? We've got you covered with our FREE detachable collar pattern download. Perfect for pairing with our Billie Sweatshirt or Indigo Smock sewing patterns for some on-trend layering.

TILLY'S SEWING BOOKS AND WHAT YOU CAN MAKE WITH THEM!

TILLY'S SEWING BOOKS AND WHAT YOU CAN MAKE WITH THEM!

Since releasing her first book in 2014, Tilly has written three titles - all published by Quadrille (Hardie Grant) - that pass on her tips and tricks. They all contain a range of sewing patterns, so you can practise techniques while making gorgeous clothes that you will be proud to say you made yourself! This blog post showcases all the sewing patterns across all the books - wow!

THE FAST WAY TO THREAD YOUR OVERLOCKER OR SERGER (WITH VIDEO!)

THE FAST WAY TO THREAD YOUR OVERLOCKER OR SERGER (WITH VIDEO!)

Let's face it, threading an overlocker or serger isn't the most fun you could be having while sat at your sewing table. The good news is that it's actually quite rare that you'd need to thread it from scratch. More often than not, you can get away with this easy, speedy method of changing the threads - a method that doesn't require you to navigate all those hooks and loopers. Hooray!

TEN TIPS FOR SEWING A NEAT SHIRT COLLAR

TEN TIPS FOR SEWING A NEAT SHIRT COLLAR

When you advance your sewing beyond the basics, making a shirt or shirt dress can make you feel like a sewing ninja! And there's something particularly satisfying about the intricate steps involved in crafting the perfect shirt collar. Sure, it may be one of the fiddlier aspects of making your own clothes, but it's also super rewarding to put on that collar and know that you made it yourself.

HOW TO ADD IN-SEAM POCKETS TO A GARMENT

HOW TO ADD IN-SEAM POCKETS TO A GARMENT - updated with a NEW video tutorial!

Hands up if you love clothes with pockets? Show me a DIY dressmaker who doesn’t! What if the pattern you’re making doesn’t include pockets? No problemo – as well as topstitching patch pockets to the outside of a skirt, it’s easy to add in-seam (hidden) pockets to dresses, trousers, skirts and more. 

SEVEN SEWING PROJECTS YOU CAN MAKE IN AN AFTERNOON

SEVEN SEWING PROJECTS YOU CAN MAKE IN AN AFTERNOON

Find yourself with small pockets of sewing time and want to see a project through from start to finish? Yep, we all know this feeling. A satisfyingly speedy make can leave you feeling motivated and encouraged by being able to complete something in an afternoon.

HOW TO MAKE YOUR OWN PERIOD UNDERWEAR!

HOW TO MAKE YOUR OWN PERIOD UNDERWEAR!

Are you ready to try sewing your own eco-friendly period underwear? Want to make your own reusable knickers for that time of the month without sacrificing pretty or fun designs? Well, look no further than this period underwear sewing tutorial using the Iris knickers sewing pattern, thanks to this guest post by the pattern's designer, Hannah of Evie La Lùve.

View 'Iris Knickers Period Pants Hack! Part 1: Fabric & Alterations'

View 'Iris Knickers Period Pants Hack! Part 2: Cutting Your Fabric & Sewing'

CHOOSING YOUR TILLY AND THE BUTTONS SIZE BAND

CHOOSING YOUR TILLY AND THE BUTTONS SIZE BAND

We're thrilled to announce the launch of our new UK 16-34 (US 12-30 / EUR 44-62) size band! All patterns that are released in this new size band will also be available in our current UK 6-24 (US 2-20 / EUR 34-52) sizes too. This blog post will explain the difference between the two size bands, and provide more information about our sizing in general. So if you're wondering what size band to pick, or want to find out more info about our new sizes, then read on! 

HOW TO SEW BIAS BINDING (+ VIDEO TUTORIAL!)

HOW TO SEW BIAS BINDING (+ VIDEO TUTORIAL!)

Bias binding is a lovely, tidy finish for your makes, concealing your raw edges and neatly tucking them away. It's useful for creating a neat finish on seams that aren’t attached to anything else and don’t have a facing. In this blog post and accompanying tutorial video, we’ll be showing you how to sew your bias binding to the neckline and armholes of our Skye sundress sewing pattern. But this tutorial will apply to any garment where you need to sew with single fold bias binding - woo!

TATB X EVIE LA LÙVE IRIS KNICKERS & NEW ONLINE WORKSHOP!

TATB X EVIE LA LÙVE IRIS KNICKERS & NEW ONLINE WORKSHOP!

It's our pleasure to introduce our first underwear sewing pattern, the Iris knickers, along with a brand new online workshop. The Iris knickers have been created in collaboration with our favourite lingerie designer Evie la Lùve, and the workshop is taught by the lovely Hannah herself! The Iris knickers are available in TWO size bands: UK 6-24 and UK 16-34 - yay!

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We hope you enjoyed that little round-up :) You can subscribe to our email newsletter so you never miss a post. We have lots of exciting things in store for 2022, including a long-overdue blog overhaul (OMG) that we cannot wait to share with you!

Stay tuned for Tilly's 'Looking Back At 2021 at Tilly and the Buttons' blog post, coming next week.