Tilly and the Button's Ness Skirt

I hope you can see the purple top stitching thread!  I really got a lot of practice on top stitching with this Tilly and the Button's Ness skirt.  It is also made in the same stretch cotton twill from Mood Fabrics as the Cleo dungaree dress, so it's very stretchy and comfy, and the skirt fits me like a glove. 

I am wondering if I take away the pockets and do the top stitching in matching thread, I could try to make a skirt for work.  Something to ponder. 

Here is a close up of my top stitching work.  😊

 

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Tilly and the Button's Cleo Pinafore / Dungaree Dress

 

This is Tilly and the Buttons Cleo pinafore/dungaree dress. I really wanted this to be very simple and not attention seeking, so I chose this stretch midnight cotton twill fabric from Mood Fabrics.  The website says midnight navy, but it's very dark so it looks black.

It's very comfy, and it was really easy to make-- except the top stitching part.  I really have to practice top stitching and go slowly.  Thank goodness I did it in matching black thread, so you can't see it.  😆

I used rainbow thread for my overlocker, so you can see some happy colors inside, but outside is very simple.  Only thing I changed-- I made the straps tiny bit thicker so that it would fit the buckle properly.  

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Tilly and the Buttons Stevie Top

After making the Tilly and the Button's Indigo dress in this Liberty Tana Lawn fabric, I had some left over, so I made this Tilly and the Button's Stevie top.  It was really simple make and perfect for scrap busting.

Instead of a bow at the back, I decided to put a button so that if I wear a cardigan or a jacket, the ribbon doesn't get in the way.  I tried my best to match up the pattern in the back yoke, and I think it came out pretty well!

 

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Tilly and the Buttons Billie Sweatshirt Dress in Two Ways

I made a Billie Sweatshirt dress for my mom a while back in blue organic cotton jersey from Fabricworm.  She loved the design and the fabric so much, she requested a couple more for summer.  This white version with ballerina portraits is perfect for summer.  It's the classic Billie design but just with a couple more inches added for length.  

I was really happy with the way the stretch edge stitching came out along with the overlock stitching around the neck line.

I also made a maxi version with a slit on the left side for easy movement.  This is also organic cotton jersey from Fabricworm.  Their cotton jersey is so soft and not too thick or too thin.  And the ballerinas doing their dance moves is so cute! 

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Friday Pattern Company's Sagebrush Top in Cloud 9 Rayon

I saw Cath at MadebyCathCraft on Youtube make this Sagebrush top with Organic Cloud 9 fabric, and I had to make the same one!  The fabric is so soft and flowy, and Cath looked great in it, so I tried making one for myself too.  There is a ruffle detail in the middle which didn't come out so clearly in these photos.  I think next time I make it, I have to take the poofy-ness of the sleeves a bit down. I like the tie detail in the back.

This was my first time sewing with rayon.  It was very soft so cutting it accurately was a bit tricky but sewing it on my sewing machine was super easy.  

I think it will be really cute to wear with a skirt or even as a base for my work suits. 

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Tilly and the Buttons Indigo Dress in Liberty Tana Lawn

I love everything about this dress!  This Tilly and the Buttons Indigo pattern is in my #makenine2021 list.   It has pockets; it has major swooshy factor; it is loose and comfy; and yet it's neat and tidy up top.  I made it with my always favorite Liberty London Cotton Lawn (Strawberry Thief in Grey), purchased from Duckadilly Fabrics.   

I really took the time to make sure all the birds lined up horizontally before cutting the fabric out.  That took a while, but I think it was worth the effort, as all the birds lined up perfectly.  😍

In the below photo, the birds kind of look like butterfly wings or cat eyes.  😄

 

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Frugal Frocks 2021 Challenge: DIY Shirred Dress

I am participating in this month's #FrugalFrocks2021 Challenge by Frugalisama and The Yorkshire Sew Girl. 

The challenge is super simple-- sew a dress in March with fabric already in your stash and with a free pattern or by drafting your own pattern.  I chose the latter.   I really wanted to try making a shirred dress (a nod to Hill House Nap dress that seems to be super popular on Instagram), and after watching By Hand London's free instructions on their Instagram Stories, it seems very easy to make.  👍  Mine looks like a cross between this Hill House dress and By Hand London dress.

I just needed three rectangles (one for shirring/bodice making; and two for sleeves).  I had this beautiful pink cotton fabric in my stash from so long ago that I don't even recall when I got it.

Shirring was very easy.  I got some Gutermann elastic for bobbin and then regular pink thread to match the fabric and just had to play around with the tension on my sewing machine to get it right.  

The sleeves were just rectangles with 1/4 inch elastic inserted at both ends.  The top elastics make sure the sleeves stay on my shoulders, and the bottom elastics make sure the sleeves hold on to my upper arms.

The finished dress is very comfy. It is the queen of stretch because everything just fits according to the elastic parts.  When the weather gets warmer, I will be grabbing for this dress!   Thank you to the hosts for sponsoring this challenge! 

(Here is a sneaky peek of the shirring inside. I also finished all the edges with my pastel rainbow overlock thread)

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