Exciting news about our next sewing pattern release, which is coming next week – the printed pattern, as well as the PDF version, will come in 15 sizes from UK 6 to 34!
Until now, Tilly and the Buttons patterns that come in sizes UK 26 – 34 (US 22 – 30 / EUR 54 – 62 / AUS 26 – 34) have been available in PDF format but not in print. For our next release, as well as for future printed patterns and reprints of our existing designs, we are delighted to be offering these sizes in print too. The body measurements go up to 152.5cm (60in) bust, 134.5cm (53in) waist and 155cm (61in) hip.
To make this happen, we have combined our two size bands (UK 6 – 24 and UK 16 – 34) into one (UK 6 – 34). The benefits of this approach are:
- a wider range of sizes in print as well as PDF
- a more diverse range of bodies on our printed pattern covers
- no distinction needed between two size ranges in our communications
- a wider range of pattern sizes will be available to buy from fabric shops and department stores around the world
Hooray!
To create a better fitting pattern than if we were to simply size up and down from one shape or “block”, we are still putting the extra work in to draft, fit and grade the lower and upper sizes in the range separately to account for different proportions.
The main differences in shaping are that sizes UK 6 – 16 (US 2 – 12 / EUR 34 – 44 / AUS 6 – 16 / TATB 1 – 6) are drafted with a 5cm (2in) difference between the high bust and full bust (AKA a “dressmaker’s B cup”, NOT to be confused with a B cup bra size, which is based on the difference between your under bust and full bust), while UK 18 – 34 (US 14 – 30 / EUR 46 – 62 / AUS 18 – 34 / TATB 7 – 15) are drafted with a 10cm (4in) difference between the high bust and full bust (AKA a “dressmaker’s D cup” - again, this is NOT the same thing as your bra cup size), as well as a little extra room at the waist.
For this reason, you may notice that the shaping of the pattern pieces changes from TATB size 7 up. Where necessary, we are laying some pieces out separately and printing some of the cutting lines in a different colour to make it easier for you to differentiate your size.
The first printed pattern in the new-and-improved printed size range is coming next week – and it’s a goodie!
Without wanting to give too much away, it’s a pattern that works well in a huge variety of fabrics, from wovens to knits, and we predict it will be pretty popular with fans of cute 'n' comfy clothing. Email list members will get first access to the pattern, as well as a limited edition free gift while stocks last – sign up today so you don’t miss out.
We’ve also been squirrelling away behind the scenes to update designs in our existing collection too! Two of our most popular patterns will be printed in the extended sizing in a few weeks’ time, with more coming out later in the year as designs come up for reprint.
We are a small team, so it’s taking us a while to work through the updates, but it’s one of our work priorities at the moment as we are so excited to be able to offer a wider range of sizes in print. By the end of the year, you should see a nice collection of Tilly and the Buttons patterns printed in all 15 sizes.
Looking forward to sharing the first one with you next week!
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Author: Tilly Walnes
