Tilly And The Buttons Make It Simple Quick Book Review

-
I recently purchased and finally received the "Make It Simple" Book by Tilly And The Buttons.

I have 2 of her other books I bought from a brick and mortar store.  What drew me to her books in the initially was the calming, pleasing color aesthetic.  What made me want to come back for this new one was 3 things.

  1. The expanded size range (what I affectionately call the "big girl" size) 
  2. The instructions and helpful tips that I knew would be there (based on her other books)
  3. The patterns
Lately I am finding myself wanting immediate sewing satisfaction (aka simple patterns) and this book did not disappoint.  The patterns have a simple elegance and are quick and easy to sew.  She gives you the basic pattern but also have a "Make It Your Own" section to kick it up a notch.  The patterns that I have sewn have a generous amount of wearing ease so you don't have to spend time making a lot of adjustments.  The only adjustments I had to make were shorten the length and raise the back rise.

She has even added the approximate time it should take to complete the project.  You only have 5 minutes to spare?  Believe it or not she has tips/suggestions on using those minutes wisely in your sewing room.

The instruction are spot on and there are plenty of pictures to help visual learners.  I really like the way the book is laid out - small easy chunks of dedicated sewing time.  I believe this book is extremely useful beginners, but also has enough information for the experienced sewer (shortcut steps).

See My Makes

  1. Tabitha T-Shirt
  2. Safiya Trousers
  3. Bertha Cardigan
  4. Suki Dress


Comments

Post a Comment

Enter comments here

Popular posts from this blog

Stylearc's Eme Dress

-
Image
 I bought this pattern when Stylearc had a sale.  What drew me to it was it's simple silhouette and the cocoon hemline.  You can dress the dress up or down and it looks good either way and it has pockets. How I Did It Look at the finished measurements for this dress, not your size.  This dress has a lot of ease and runs large.  I went one size down from my typical size and really could have gone down one size more possibly and still been fine. Fabric I ordered fabric for this make - surprise surprise.  I selected the Mod Spot Linen Shirting Print in Natural and Paprika  from Style Maker Fabrics. Pattern Alterations I would normally cut a 22 but based on the finished measurements I chose a 20. I struggled with that decision so much so that I added 1" to the hip area even though the finished measurements had more than enough room.  Big mistake and I had to remove it.  I continue to battle with loose and just too dang big. My Pattern Changes I r...
Read more

StyleArc's Londdon Woven Pant - Sheer Comfort

-
Image
One word says it all - comfortable.  When this pattern came out a few months back, I loved it but wasn't sure if I would like the pants on me.  I am so glad I went with my first reaction because I love them on me.  If you are on the fence about this pattern - don't be - you will look great in them just like me 😁. I did sew during August 2023 but had several disappointing sewing failures including this pattern.  The failures were all my fault.  Sometimes my brain checks out on me and forgets to tell me that it is on vacation😊. Londdon Woven Pant How I Did It I knew I needed a drapey fabric and had a fabric that I bought for another project - that was my failure pair.  Waist down I where a 22 in StyleArc patterns and I know this, but for some reason I decided I needed a size 24 and I was drowning in the pants.  The pants looked really really bad on me and it was my fault because I chose the wrong size. At first I gave up and thought I was right that th...
Read more

Total Comfort - Style Arc Kim Swing Top and Laura Knit Leggings

-
Image
The more I sew the more I want easy to sew and comfortable to wear.  These two patterns fit the bill.  I finished the top about a month ago and the leggings about 6 months ago but am just now getting around wearing it and taking pictures. StyleArc Kim Swing Top & Laura Knit Leggings How I did It I will only will focus on the top since I already reviewed the leggings here .  This top was only 3 pieces, front, back, and the sleeve. What really drew me to this pattern was its angle lines and length.  I have made about 10 pairs of the Laura Knit Leggings and I need some tops besides the 3  hoodies  I made to wear with them. Fabric I ordered some bamboo jersey knit for this top - OMG it is so soft against my skin.  I used some kind of ITY that I bought at my local fabric store for the leggings.  In other words I did not use anything from my stash of fabric (I already had some bamboo jersey in my stash). Pattern Alterations/Adjustments Shortened the...
Read more

Love Notions Crescendo Jeans

-
Image
I was a tester and I tell you this pattern took me way back to the 70's era I believe.  When I saw the 4 options, I knew immediately I wanted to make the flare version.  I ended up making 3 pairs with one going in the give away pile. This pattern has 4 leg styles (flare, boot, straight, and skinny), 2 butt options (curvy and straight) and 3 inseam options (petite, standard, and tall).  That is one of the things I love about Love Notions Patterns - you get multiple options. If you have been too afraid to make a pair of jeans - this is the pattern for you.  It has a faux zipper and an elastic waistband. Version 1 - Muslin Version 2 - Disaster Version 3 - Final The fabric requirements call for a 10 - 12 oz stretch bottom weight fabric with at least 25% stretch.  Fair warning, if you have lots of curves like me stay away from anything lighter than a 10 - 12 oz fabric unless you go up a size otherwise you get version 2 which is a hot mess. I did purchase fabric for t...
Read more

StyleArc's Tommie Jeans Skirt Is Singing My Love Language Today

-
Image
When this pattern came out I knew I wanted to make it and bought it immediately.  Well it's been a few months since I purchased and I am so glad I finally got a chance to sew it up.  I like it even more than I thought I would. Tommie Jeans Skirt This skirt is singing my love language today and I am feeling myself in it.  BTW this skirt was pressed but I did not have time to take pictures before I went out so excuse the wrinkles. How I Did It Fabric I bought this fabric sometime ago from JoAnn's in the kids Pop section.  I didn't have a specific pattern in mind, I just liked the fabric.  It is called  light tie dye denim knit - a 8 to 10oz I believe.  I didn't realize it had any stretch until I went to JoAnn's site to look it up.  It has very little stretch though. Pattern Adjustments I shortened the length 3" Yoke and waistband - I have shared this information before and where I got it in previous posts.  Once you get a good fit on a yoke an...
Read more

StyleArc's Logan Shacket - Version 1

-
Image
I have an Air Force jacket that I bought about 10 years ago.  It's roomy, comfortable, and ridiculously warm.  It has been my go to coat/jacket since I bought it.  It is now beginning to fall apart and I needed something to replace it.  When I saw StyleArc's Logan Shacket I thought it would be the perfect replacement. Logan Shacket What I Needed to Replace How I Did It Fabric I saw this beautiful rich merlot corduroy and wanted to use it, but they were sold out of it at the time.  The weather was changing and I didn't want to wait for the fabric to be restocked.  So I chose a reversable quilted jersey knit instead. It wasn't the color I wanted but I loved that it was quilted.  The pattern calls for a woven (non stretch), so I knew I was taking a risk by choosing a knit. I knew I was in trouble, when I tried to stitch on the top pockets.  The fabric moved all over the place and I couldn't stitch a straight line if my life depended on it.  I...
Read more

Stylearc Jara Knit Tunic

-
Image
 OMG - this pattern was an absolute joy to sew. StyleArc Jara Knit Tunic How I did It I can't explain why I had fun sewing this tunic - I can only say I just did.  I remember saying to myself after completing it "this was so much fun".  It is feels amazing next to my skin.   Every time I buy a directional fabric (something with letters or numbers) I always forget that I need to lay every piece in the same direction 😄.  The great thing about this fabric is it is so busy that unless you really look at it you will miss my "design" feature. Fabric I bought fabric specifically for this pattern.  I purchased Butterfly Letter Silhouette Sweatshirt Fleece from my at the moment favorite fabric store Style Maker Fabrics, but I no longer see it on their website. I really love the fabric and I really love the pattern.  What drew me to the pattern was the pleat detail at the sleeve hemline and hipline.  This was one time fabric really mattered.  I n...
Read more

Noodlehead Oxbow Tote

-
Image
My sewjo still has not completely returned, so I am having to find ways to force myself to sew. I have a friend who is moving and I decide to make her the Oxbow Tote by Noodlehead as a parting gift.  I chose to make the "regular" version.  I call it the "happy tote" because with all the colors it just made me happy to look at it. I thoroughly enjoyed making this bag - it was therapeutic for me.  After I made it, I wanted to keep it so bad 😂.  When I gave it to her I was hoping she didn't like it so I could keep it. How I Did It I am drowning in fabric and broke, but I wanted to buy fabric so bad for this project, but I refrained and forced myself used what I had in my stash.  All notions needed came from stash as well. I don't have many construction pictures because the pattern designer has a sew along video that shows the detail.  I mainly focused on showing the handle and dealing with the leather. Fabric The outer fabric and fabric used for the strap (b...
Read more

Amanda Stretch Short by StyleArc

-
Image
I really, really, really love this short pattern.  They are comfy, stylish, the perfect length, and easy to sew.  I believe I got this pattern during one of the StyleArc sales. Amanda Stretch Short How I Did It This was an easy sew for me and I enjoyed the process!  A girlfriend ordered this pattern, made them, and said they looked like gaucho's on her.  When I viewed the pattern I liked it and decided to try them for myself.  When I showed her mine she figured she had probably cut the pattern to big for her size 😊.  I used either a 12wt or 30wt cotton thread for topstitching - BIG mistake.  With stretch fabrics your told to use the wobble or lightning bolt stitch to keep your thread from breaking when the fabric is stretched.  I hate those stitches because if you have to remove the stitches they are a nightmare to get out.  Should have used it this time - just putting them on causes stitches to "pop". Fabric This light weight stretch d...
Read more

StyleArc's Brooklyn Knit Pant

-
Image
One word for this pattern - COMFORTABLE.  I love wearing this pair of pants.  You can move freely in them and not worry about eating too much 😂. How I Did It NOTE :  The seam allowance on this pattern is not a standard seam allowance (not 1/4", 3/8", etc) - major annoyance. I actually made 2 pair both in black.  I was so excited to get started on this pattern that on version 1 I forgot to lower the front rise and raise the back rise, but I did remember to shorten them 3".  It was in the middle of my sewing them that I realized I had forgotten. It was bad when I tried on version 1.  The pattern design had a longer crotch than what I am used to so they looked bad in the front.  I probably could have fixed that issue but the back - I was afraid that if I bent over the would fall down (the fabric is a bit heavy) 😂 so this version is in the give away pile. Fabric I had purchased 2 different beautiful plush corduroy velour knit to make this pattern.  ...
Read more