Meet the Leah Sewing Pattern

One model wears the Leah peplum top with tie sides, in white with black spots. The other model wears a Leah tiered midi dress with tie sides in lilac. With the title text 'Meet Leah, size makes in one pattern'

Looking for a sewing pattern you’ll want to make on repeat? Meet Leah – a versatile design that can be sewn as a simple shift top, easy-wear dress, playful peplum top or floaty tiered midi dress.

With clean lines, wearable silhouettes, and optional side ties for an on-trend detail, Leah is the kind of pattern that can look completely different depending on your fabric and styling choices.

Designed for confident beginners, Leah combines satisfying sewing techniques with Tilly and the Buttons’ signature clear, beginner-friendly instructions to help you create a handmade wardrobe staple you’ll love wearing again and again.

Available in 15 sizes (UK 6–34 / US 2–30 / EUR 34–62 / AUS 6–34) in printed, PDF, and projector formats.

GET THE LEAH SEWING PATTERN

Left image: Model wears the Leah shift dress in a black and white check fabric against a purple background. Right image: Model wears the Leah shift top in burgundy and blue gingham, sitting in a chair against a turquoise background.
Left image: Model wears the Leah peplum top with tie sides, in white with black spots, against a blue background. Right image: Model wears the Leah tiered midi dress with tie sides in lilac against a turquoise background.

Leah sewing pattern design details

Here’s what makes the Leah sewing pattern such a versatile addition to your handmade wardrobe:

  • Choice of shift top, shift dress, peplum top or tiered midi dress
  • Optional side ties on the peplum top and tiered dress versions
  • Semi-fitted, slightly A-line silhouette that’s easy to wear
  • Sleeveless bodice with bust darts for shaping
  • Bias binding finish on the neckline and armholes
  • Keyhole back opening with button and loop fastening
  • Award-winning photo-rich instructions to guide you every step of the way

Whether you love clean, minimalist dressing or softer, more romantic silhouettes, Leah gives you plenty of options to make it your own.

Left image: Front cover of the Leah sewing pattern. Right image: technical drawings of the Leah sewing pattern

Leah sewing pattern sizes and format options

The Leah sewing pattern is available in two formats:

Printed pattern – Receive the pattern printed on durable white paper, along with a full-colour photo instruction booklet, delivered to your door.

PDF pattern – Instant download includes A4/Letter version to print at home, A0 version to print at a copyshop or pattern printing service, and projector file to project directly onto your fabric. PDF files include layered sizes so you can select only the size(s) you need. Learn how to use digital sewing patterns with our complete guide.

Every pattern includes 15 sizes (UK 6–34 / US 2–30 / EUR 34–62 / AUS 6–34) and our signature step-by-step photo instructions to guide you every step of the way.

GET THE LEAH SEWING PATTERN

Best fabrics for the Leah sewing pattern

One of the best things about Leah is how differently each version looks depending on your fabric choice.

Model wears the Leah shift dress in a black and white check fabric against a purple background.

For the shift top and dress versions, medium-weight woven fabrics with a little structure work beautifully, such as:

  • Linen
  • Cotton twill
  • Lightweight canvas
  • Jacquard

These fabrics help create the clean, sculptural shape of the shift styles.

Model wears the Leah tiered midi dress with tie sides in lilac against a turquoise background.

For the peplum and tiered versions, choose softer, lighter-weight woven fabrics that gather easily. If you want a fluid silhouette, try a drapey fabric such as:

  • Cotton lawn
  • Seersucker
  • Viscose (rayon)
  • Double gauze

Or if you want to hold the shape of the skirt out a bit more, go for a crisper fabric such as:

  • Cotton poplin
  • Linen and blends

You’ll also need:

  • Matching thread
  • 1 x 8-10mm (5/16-3/8in) button with shank
  • 2.5m (2¾yd) x 5-12mm (¼-½in) wide iron-on stay tape or bias-cut strips of lightweight interfacing
  • 2.5m (2¾yd) x 12mm (½in) wide single fold bias binding OR 0.4m (½yd) of cotton lawn or poplin to make your own bias binding
  • Sewing machine and basic tools (a 12mm [½in] bias binding maker can be helpful if making your own binding)

Check the full fabric requirements and notions list on the Leah product page.

A flat lay of the construction of the Leah front bodice, featuring hands and an iron applying interfacing tape.

Is the Leah sewing pattern beginner-friendly?

Leah is designed for confident beginners and is a brilliant project if you’ve sewn a few simple garments already and want to build your skills.

You’ll learn techniques including sewing darts, finishing edges with bias binding, and sewing gathers, all with the help of Tilly and the Buttons’ famously clear step-by-step instructions.

Left image: Model wears the Leah peplum top with tie sides, in white with black spots, against a blue background.

The side tie versions will appeal to lovers of stylish and fun details (we're looking at you, Nell). The openings are less revealing than you might think – even the sceptical members of our team were pleasantly surprised when they tried them on!

And if you love the bow detail but would prefer a little more coverage, you can simply sew the side seams closed with the ties sandwiched into the seam.

As always, you’ll also have access to our sewing pattern support page packed with extra tips, tutorials and fitting advice.

EXPLORE LEAH SEWING SUPPORT

Model wears the Leah shift top in burgundy and blue gingham, against a turquoise background.

A great scrap-busting sewing project

The Leah shift top is also brilliant for using up treasured fabric leftovers.

Its clean lines make it perfect for showcasing special fabrics, statement prints or embroidered cottons without lots of extra design details competing for attention. Now every time you sew a skirt or trousers, you'll be wondering if you can squeeze a Leah shift top out of the leftovers!

In particular, our beginner-friendly Winnie trousers make a great Leah co-ord:

Model wears the Leah shift top in burgundy and blue gingham, with matching Winnie trousers, against a turquoise background.

Share your Leah makes!

We LOVE seeing your creations. Share your handmade Leah on Instagram by tagging @TillyButtons and using the hashtag #SewingLeah – we can’t wait to see what you make.

GET THE LEAH SEWING PATTERN

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Fabrics used:

Models: Megan Pawson and Rita Fitchett
Photographer: Jane Looker
Hair and make up: Louise Heywood
Sample sewist: Susan Young

Sewing
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Hi, I'm Tilly!

I started sewing in 2010 and instantly fell in love with turning fabric into wearable creations. Combining my professional background in education with my passion for DIY fashion, I set about to rethink sewing resources for the new wave of makers. Today, my team and I continue to share the joy of sewing with makers worldwide.

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