Tilly's next book Mini Makes is coming soon!

I'm excited to let you know that my fourth book is coming this spring, and it's all about sewing for little ones!

Mini Makes will be published by Quadrille (Hardie Grant) on 25 April 2024 – and you can pre-order it now!

If you pre-order directly from us by 25th March 2024, we'll send you a signed copy of the book plus an exclusive free gift when the book is released. This pair of woven sew-in labels have been designed by us and aren't available anywhere else. Perfect for adding the finishing touch to your mini makes!

Pre-order signed book + free gift

(Offer ends 25th March 2024. Your book and gift - along with any other items in the same order - will be dispatched when the book is launched in late April - so if you would like to order other items to arrive sooner, please place a separate order. Offer exclusively available for pre-orders from shop.tillyandthebuttons.com. Gift subject to availability.)

Five Shortcut Features on Your Sewing Machine

You read your sewing machine manual from cover to cover, right? Me neither. But it is worth taking another look as it may be hiding some time-saving buttons or attachments that you don’t know about…

1) Automatic thread cutter

Is there a little scissors button on your sewing machine? This is likely to be for the automatic thread cutter which, when pressed, will snip both spool and bobbin threads close to the fabric when you come to the end of a line of stitching.

Sure, it only saves a few seconds after each seam, but it all adds up, and makes the sewing process seem smoother once you get into the swing of using it. I resisted using this button on my machine for ages because it felt like cheating, but it changed my life once I’d surrendered to its charms.

My new book Make It Simple is out today!

It's here! After many months of planning, writing, scheming, drafting, truing, cutting, stitching, photographing, proofing and (ahem) fabric shopping, my new book Make It Simple is out today.

In case you missed our announcement to our email list members and on social media, this is earlier than previously advertised after the warehouse got a little bit over-excited and started sending books out to bookshops early - oopsie! After discussing with the publisher, we decided to bring the official launch date forward to make it fair to those of you who pre-ordered from our online shop (if this was you, check your letterbox!).

As you can imagine, it's made us a little frantic over here signing books (me), packing orders and getting them out in time (Frances and Kate), as well as bringing forward the schedule of extra content and pattern downloads that we've been working on behind the scenes (me, Louise, Jenny, Nikki and Kate). But it's a good problem to have as for you guys it means you get to start sewing earlier - hooray!



I set out writing Make It Simple with the aim of helping you fit more creativity into your life, no matter how busy you are with work, family and other life commitments.

With time being one of the biggest barriers to sewing, I want to share with you my approach to fitting sewing into the smallest windows of time, as well as time-saving tips and shortcuts to speed up your sewing without compromising the quality of your creations.

It's this approach that has helped me get my sew-jo (sewing mojo) back - nay, set it on fire! - since having my son and juggling being a mum with running a business.




The book includes six main sewing patterns, each with multiple variations totalling 24 projects. They're all easy to make, speedy to sew, simple to fit, with no fiddly fastenings or complex supplies lists.

The patterns come in ten sizes from a UK 6-24 (US 2-20) - having a wide range of sizes like this is unusual for a book, so something we're particularly proud to have pulled off with the support of our publishers. The patterns are included on printed sheets in the back ready to be traced off, or you can download them to print at home or at a copy shop if you prefer.



Over the next couple of weeks, I'm going to take you through each pattern in the book, the variations and supplies needed - so watch this space!

I am super proud of this book - in fact, I think it's the best thing I've done to date - so I really hope you enjoy reading and sewing with it :)

We would absolutely LOVE to see the book in your hands as well as your sewing plans, works in progress and finished makes, so please share with us on Instagram @TillyButtons with the hashtag #MakeItSimpleBook (and, if you make one of the patterns, #SewingSafiya or whatever the hashtag is for that pattern).

Happy simple sewing, everyone!



*****
Author: Tilly Walnes
Make It Simple is published by Quadrille (Hardie Grant)
Model photography: © Ellie Smith
Model shoot props and styling: Clare Nicolson
Models: Karen Arthur, Samantha Waude, Paige Joanna, Kristabel Plummer, Phoebe Nickalls

Behind the Scenes on Make It Simple

With my new book Make It Simple due out next month (and available to order now!), I thought I’d take a little trip down memory lane and share with you some of the behind the scenes process that went into creating it. Plus a video that Jenny shot at the model photo shoot - keep reading to see it...

This is the third book I’ve written, and I can hand on heart say that I’ve found each one pretty easy to write. It’s a LOT of work, yes, plus there were some headscratching moments along the way figuring out how to make construction and fitting as simple as possible. The only major hiccup was when my toddler broke my nose a few hours before a big publishing meeting!

But I never faced writer’s block or lack of motivation, the words flowed, and I enjoyed every step of the process. It helps when you love the subject matter and feel genuinely passionate about sharing that :)

Make It Simple: The inspiration behind my forthcoming book

Have you ever caught yourself saying, “I’d love to sew, but I don’t have time”?

Me too. As a business owner and mum to a toddler, I don’t have big chunks of free time to sew. My week is divided between being in the office and being at home playing with my energetic little boy, and, once he’s in bed, quite frankly I’m wiped out! After he was born, I went through a spell of not sewing at all. But I soon missed my hobby and passion, so I decided to question the story I was telling myself about not having time to sew and reframe my thinking to make it achievable.

This was the inspiration behind my new book. I’m excited to be able to share the cover with you today!

Make It Simple will be out in February 2020, published by Quadrille (Hardie Grant). You can order it now from Amazon or pre-order a signed copy from our online shop. As you may know, pre-orders are so important for a book as they show potential stockists that the demand is there – and, in turn, help keep the book in stock so it’s available to more people. If you are able to pre-order my book, I’d be extremely grateful :)

Pitch over, let’s talk about what the book is all about and what you’re going to get out of it…



My goal in writing Make It Simple was to help you fit more creativity into your life, no matter what you’ve got going on.

The book is jam-packed full of my trusted time-saving tactics and secret shortcuts to make it easier for you to get your sewing fix.

Moreover, it features 24 gorgeous garment projects that you can whip up in a few hours, from a classic T shirt to a pretty playsuit, a cosy cardigan to an office-ready shift dress, comfy PJs to a stylish pinafore. They’re all easy to make, simple to fit, with no fiddly bits, and extremely wearable. I am obsessed with these patterns and hope you’ll love them too! I can't wait to share some sneaks of the patterns with you a bit nearer the launch.

Your Makes - Love at First Stitch Five Year Anniversary Special!

You may have seen Tilly’s first book Love at First Stitch has just had its fifth birthday - wowee time truly does fly! It’s Jenny here using this opportunity to celebrate the wonderful Love at First Stitch me-mades we’ve seen over the years. Nearly every day we find ourselves oohing and aahing over them and these are just a few of the goodies out there :)

Top left - Claire. Top right - Pamela. Bottom left - Johanna. Bottom right - @sharpneedles

The first project in the book is the easy-peasy Brigitte scarf. If you're new to using a sewing machine this is the place to start. Simple and speedy, this chic scarf will add the finishing touch to your outfit - just like Claire's mustard floral Brigitte. So seventies! Pamela is giving us nautical chic with her navy and red birds, and we love it.

Ohemgee Johanna, is this high-fashion polka dot scarf?! because *heart eyes*. We love how @sharpneedles (on Insta) has styled her Brigitte scarf, the bow looks lovely and so 1920s.

Love at First Stitch - Finalement en français!

Great news for French readers - my book Love at First Stitch is now en français! You can order Couture pour les grandes débutantes from Amazon.fr.

From the outset I've been dreaming of seeing the book in French, and it has finally found a publisher in Editions Marie Claire. Hooray! 

Behind the Scenes... Book 2 Progress

Hoooraaaaayyy! I've finished writing my second book!

It's been a ton of work, but everything has gone really well and I couldn't be more pleased with how it's turning out. All that's left to do now is proofing and planning the release. I'm soooo excited to share it with you when it's published next Spring!

In the meantime, I thought I'd give you some peeks behind the scenes at the recent garment photo shoots - the final three days of photography after the seven instructions shoots. For the garment shoots, we used the same photographer as my first book, Ellie Smith, and were back in the same studio in Bethnal Green that we used three years ago. It felt a bit like a déjà vu - but in a good way!

Big Project in the Works!

As you may or may not have already guessed from hints dropped here and there, I'm working on something BIG for 2018... my second book!

I know it's been a long time coming since the publication of my first book, Love at First Stitch, in May 2014, and that a lot of you have been asking for a second book sooner. The truth is that I felt so burnt out after writing the first one that I really needed a break. And then the sewing pattern and online workshop side of my business started growing... and growing... and the idea of trying to write a book alongside running a business seemed crazy!

Last Summer I decided that the time had come, and I started getting excited again about the idea of writing a second book. I wrote the proposal and outline over the Summer and designed all the projects, then pitched the book in September 2016. In the Autumn, I started fleshing out the content - this time with the invaluable help of Vanessa, our pattern cutter, on the patterns themselves.

The book will be published in Spring 2018 by Quadrille. So far I've designed all the projects, outlined the structure and content, written three chapters, sourced the fabrics, sewn lots of samples, had two photo shoots, and Vanessa has drafted the majority of the patterns. We've still got quite a bit to do before the deadline at the end of June, but it's really getting there.

Now in Even More Languages!

Exciting news - you'll soon be able to get hold of my book about making your own clothes in four more languages - Finnish, Danish, Czech and Swedish!

As far as I can tell (alas not being able to speak these languages), the only differences between the books are slight changes to the covers and back covers. It's interesting to see how publishers in different countries tweak them slightly to their preference and what colours and styles they think will go down well in their country.



The Finnish edition will be published on 16 February 2015...



The Danish version will be available from 17 February 2015...



The Czech edition will be published in early February (I'm not sure of the exact date, sorry)...



And the Swedish edition will be available from 5 March 2015.

If you know other places to buy the book in these countries, do leave a link in the comments. Thanks so much!

The book is also available in UK English, North American English, Dutch and German. And there's at least one more foreign edition in the works for later this year - I'll let you know when I know more about release dates. Still keeping my fingers crossed for French and Japanese editions!

Love at First Stitch in North America!

Today's the day - zips become zippers, tacking is now basting, overlockers morph into sergers... The North American edition of my book, Love at First Stitch, is released today - hooray! You can order the book from Amazon.com now...

Love at First Stitch is the book I wish had existed when I started sewing. It takes you from the absolute basics of threading your sewing machine through to creating a wardrobe full of clothes you'll be proud to say you made yourself. Since the best way to learn is to get stuck in, rather than being overwhelmed with theory, each chapter is structured around a project and teaches you just enough techniques to make it.





The projects start off really simple - a headscarf and pajama pants (pyjama bottoms to Brits!) - and build in complexity so before you know it you're confidently stitching up a chic Chelsea collar blouse with pleated sleeves and a lined party dress with scallop neckline (and not a cushion cover or apron in sight). Since sewing should be fun, the tone of writing is encouraging and down-to-earth, hopefully inspiring you to just go for it :)

If you already know how to sew, you can skip over the techniques sections and focus on making up the patterns. There are five patterns included on full scale sheets in the back of the book (some of them require tracing off) - Margot pyjamas, Delphine skirt, Megan dress, Mimi blouse and Lilou dress - plus instructions on how to draft your own simple pattern for the Brigitte scarf and Clemence skirt.

Each chapter also includes a section called 'Make It Your Own' which demonstrates variation ideas for all the projects - making 21 projects in total. The 'Make It a Lifestyle' sections feature (slightly tongue-in-cheek) musings on hot topics around becoming a DIY dressmaker, such as how to fit sewing into a busy life and how to behave in a fabric store.

The book has received over 100 five star reviews on Amazon.co.uk (thank you!) and has been nominated as Best Sewing Book 2014 in the British Sewing Awards (please vote if you haven't done so already!).

I can't wait to see what you make from the book - do send me a photo (or Tweet me), and I'll add it to the other lovely creations in the Maker Gallery.

Order the book from Amazon.com now!

#LoveAtFirstStitch Day!

Today's the day! My book is in the shops (incl my shop, Amazon UK, haberdasheries and all good bookshops) AND it's the #LoveAtFirstStitch Online Book Launch Party! 

Stitching enthusiasts old and new are sharing pictures of themselves online today posing in their Brigitte scarf, using the hashtag #LoveAtFirstStitch. It's so wonderful to have you join in the celebrations with me! I've started adding the pics to the gallery on Pinterest - everyone is looking fab. How do you wear yours? Do join in! Tweet me a link to your photo and I'll add it to the gallery.

I like to tie a scarf around my neck, but today I'm using the Brigitte scarf as a morning-after-the-night-before-hair solution. Last night I celebrated the launch of my book with the publishers, everyone who worked on it, family and friends. I'll share more on that tomorrow, but all you need to know for now is that today I'm teaming the Brigitte scarf with one of the Mimi blouses from the book plus a whole tube of concealer under my eyes!

Hang on a minute... something is missing from this #online party... what could it be? Oh yes...

WE HAVE GIFS!!!

WOAH!!