If that wasn’t exciting enough, I’ll take you through all the steps to make it in my brand new online workshop – Sew Your Own Knockout Dress.
Plus you can easily get hold of all the bits and bobs you need to make the dress with our limited edition Etta sewing kits.
So many good things to tell you about today! Let’s start with the design of the dress…
THE DESIGN
Etta is a classic, sixties-inspired fitted dress that everyone needs in their wardrobe.
The kind of dress you can wear to a fancy party of wedding and lap up the compliments (“Why thank you, I made it myself!”).
Or impress your colleagues by wearing it to the office when you've got an important meeting or presentation… and pretend you’re in the cast of Mad Men, hehe ;)
- Darts at the bust, waist, shoulders and elbow create a sleek, flattering silhouette
- Invisible zip closure at the back
- Choose from darted three-quarter length sleeves or self-lined cap sleeves with bias bound armholes
- Make it with a high-back or V-back neckline, with optional striking V-back collar
- Add the optional faux pockets at the waistline
- The elegant hemline hits the bottom of the knee, with a kick pleat for easy movement
THE WORKSHOP
If you want some help making your Etta dress, sign up to my online workshop, Sew Your Own Knockout Dress.
Through video lessons, I’ll show you all the steps to sew the dress. I'll also share with you a wealth of dressmaking tips, tricks and techniques that you can use again and again on future sewing projects – from setting in sleeves to inserting a tidy invisible zip.
Haven’t taken an online workshop before? It’s like participating in a structured sewing course, but even better!
Firstly because you can see the sewing up close, and pause and rewind the videos anytime you need to.
And secondly because it’s so convenient – you can take it whenever it’s a good time for you, using your own sewing machine, and you don’t even have to leave the house.
Plus it’s only a fraction of the price of attending a face-to-face class!
There are no deadlines for the workshop, so you can watch and rewatch the lessons whenever you fancy, and anytime you need a refresher. Yessssss!
THE SEWING PATTERN
Our sewing patterns are award-winning, and our customers frequently tell us they’re refreshingly clear to use. The pieces are clearly labelled so you can see how they fit together. The instructions translate the sewing jargon and show you each step in colour photos so you can see what the project is supposed to look like as you’re making it. Plus the instruction booklet looks as pretty as the fabric and notions on your sewing table :)
If you sign up to the workshop, you’ll get the PDF pattern included in the course materials - or you can choose to get the printed pattern delivered to you with a 20% discount and free shipping!
When you order the kit, you'll get the fabric and notions to make the dress, plus you can choose whether to include a printed pattern or not, again with a 20% discount. So if you've bought the pattern with the workshop, you can leave it out. See below for details of the kits.
Confident making dresses like this and want to choose your own fabric? Order just the printed sewing pattern and we’ll send you a gorgeous package in the post, printed on durable paper which you can use again and again without it tearing or scrunching up (yesss!).
Prefer to print and assemble your pattern at home? Buy the digital pattern and you’ll get an email in an instant with a PDF to download.
Etta is also available from fabric shops and departments stores around the world. If your favourite shop doesn’t stock it, please do ask them to!
THE KIT
To make it easy for you to get your hands on everything you need to make the dress, we’ve put together limited edition Etta sewing kits.
Choose from four different colourways of amazing quality stretch cotton sateen fabric. This fabric is really easy to sew, with a subtle surface sheen for glamour, and a little bit of stretch making the finished dress comfortable to wear – hooray!
The kits also include matching thread, my favourite brand of YKK invisible zip, woven iron-on interfacing, hooks and eyes, and bias binding to finish the armholes on the cap sleeve version. There’s enough fabric in each kit to make either the cap sleeve dress with the collar or the three-quarter sleeve version without the collar.
And you can choose whether to include the printed sewing pattern in the kit – or leave it out if you’ve already got it with the workshop.
Our sewing kits sell out quickly, so if you want one, grab it before it’s gone!
SIZING AND SUPPLIES
The pattern includes eight sizes – from UK 6 – 20, US 2 – 16, or EUR 34 – 48. You can see the exact body measurements on the sizing chart. We've got a blog post coming up on choosing your size and making fitting adjustments if you need some extra help in that department.
If you want to choose your own fabric, pick a medium weight, non-drapey fabric – preferably with a bit of stretch for comfort. Try stretch woven cotton, sateen, triple crepe, crepe-back satin, ponte di roma or jacquard knits. The cap sleeve version would also work nicely in brocade.
Find out how much fabric and other supplies you’ll need for each version on the shop page.
I’m soooo excited to see you on the Sew Your Own Knockout Dress workshop, and our team is all prepped to send out your patterns and sewing kits!
We’re also itching to see what you make – please share your makes with us on Instagram, tagging @TillyButtons and using the hashtag #SewingEtta so we can see. Can’t wait!
SIGN UP TO THE WORKSHOP (pattern included)
GRAB YOUR SEWING KIT (optional pattern)
or ORDER THE ETTA SEWING PATTERN on its own
Hair and make up: Lynn for Natalie Guest
Model: Vissolela Lucas
Huge thanks to our awesome pattern testers for your help! x x x
