Introducing the Bettine Sewing Pattern

Exciting times as we launch not one but two new sewing patterns – wardrobe staples to see you through Summer days and Summer nights...

For Summer days, meet the Bettine dress.

Bettine is an easy-peasy throw-it-over-your-head dress that’s cute, comfortable and very wearable. The dress features a blousy bodice with scoop neckline, grown-on sleeves, turn-up cuffs, elasticated waistline and tulip skirt. Choose from a plain skirt or pocket skirt, and choose to add optional cuff tabs to the sleeves.

The plain skirt version is a perfect project for beginners. It's simple to sew, with no fiddly darts or fastenings to grapple with. Just throw it on over your head, and the elastic does the job of cinching the dress in to fit your waist. Hooray!

You don’t have to worry about setting in sleeves either. Grown-on sleeves are cut and sewn in one with the bodice, draping softly at the underarm for a casual look.

If you’re a more experienced stitcher, try the pocket skirt version for a speedy, satisfying project. I say “more experienced” because the pocket version involves some precision understitching to keep the facings on the inside - if you’ve sewn a few things before you should be fine. You can also choose to add the cuff tabs to the sleeves – so cute!

One of my favourite design features is the tulip-shape of the skirt. It has extra ease at the hips so you can move about and lounge around comfortably in hot weather. And then it goes in slightly at the hem so the skirt won’t fly up in the Summer breeze and flash your frillies – hooray!

This dress is seriously wearable – in fact, I’ve been living in Bettine dresses pretty much non-stop these past weeks! You can throw it on with sandals for casual days, or dress it up with a necklace for the office or evenings out. It also looks cute layered over long sleeves and woolly tights for the cooler months. It’s one of those dream dresses that allow you to feel comfortable and look put-together at the same time.

Make the Bettine dress in a light- to medium-weight drapey fabric, such as viscose (rayon), cotton voile, lawn, chambray, double gauze... If you’re a confident stitcher, you could try something more delicate (and slippery!) such as crêpe or georgette.

You can see how differently the two sample dresses in the pictures hang – the red fabric is very drapey, giving it a floaty, feminine look; while the chambray has less drape, holding the shape of the dress more for a modern, utilitarian look.

We’ll talk more about suggested fabrics in a future post, so watch this space.

The pattern comes in eight different sizes. Take a look at the sizing chart, supplies list and fabric requirements. Bettine is an easy pattern to fit as it's a relaxed, semi-loose style. We'll talk more about choosing your size and making simple fitting adjustments in a future post.

Like all Tilly and the Buttons sewing patterns, Bettine includes jargon-busting instructions, helpful sewing tips, and colour photos showing you each step – making it easy for you to create gorgeous clothes you can be proud to say you made yourself.

Order the printed pattern and we’ll send you a beautiful pattern in the post, with full size pattern sheets and colour booklet. We ship around the world, or in the next few days you’ll also be able to order the pattern from one of our lovely stockists. (If you prefer, you can order the digital pattern and we’ll email you instantly with a PDF version of the pattern and instructions to print and stick together at home.)

So that’s your Summer days sorted… and Summer nights?

Meet Fifi!

Order the Bettine sewing pattern 

Photography: Fanni Williams
Hair and make up: Elbie van Eeden
Model: Kamay Kan
Fabric: Blue chambray and gold anchor buttons courtesy of Minerva Crafts; red floral viscose from Tilly’s stash
Special thanks to our fantastic pattern testers for your discerning eyes and invaluable feedback x x x

*Offer expires Sunday 19 July 2015 at midnight GMT. Offer only available at shop.tillyandthebuttons.com on the Bettine and Fifi printed (not digital) sewing patterns, by ordering the Bettine + Fifi bundle.