Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to common questions about our products and services.
- Newer individual patterns: UK 6-34 / US 2-30 / EUR 34-62 / AUS 6-34 - see our size chart here and shop the collection of available patterns in this size range.
- Older patterns and books: UK 6–20, UK 6–24, and/or UK 16–34. Each sewing pattern and book lists its size range on their individual product pages.
Our pattern sizes are numbered 1–15 to avoid confusion with ready-to-wear sizing, which varies from brand to brand. These sizes roughly translate to UK 6-34/US 2-30, but always choose your size based on your measurements for the best fit.
Dressmaker's cup sizes:
- Patterns in UK 6–34 sizing:
- UK 6-16 = B cup (5 cm / 2 in difference between high bust and full bust)
- UK 18–34 = D cup (10 cm / 4 in difference)
- Patterns in UK 6–20/6-24 sizing:
- B cup (5 cm / 2 in difference between high bust and full bust)
Dressmaker’s cup is NOT the same as your bra cup size – see our free pattern fitting tutorials for help.
Height:
- 5' 5" (165cm)
Learn how to lengthen or shorten a sewing pattern in our tutorial.
Both! Every pattern and book includes metric and imperial measurements.
We have updated the most popular patterns from our back catalogue into our improved size range, and will continue to release new patterns in this full size range - but we won't be updating any more patterns in our back catalogue. Shop all the sewing patterns in our UK 6-34 size range.
No! Email us with your proof of purchase, and we’ll send you the updated PDF version.
As a small business, we have limited print runs - so it's always worth buying a printed pattern whilst it's in stock.
Some of our stockists may still have copies available, so it's always worth checking around online!
Discontinued printed patterns remain available as digital PDF-only patterns.
See our in depth guide for how to use digital sewing patterns.
Yes! A selection of our PDF patterns are available in layered PDF format and some in projector file format.
- Layered PDF patterns let you select only the size you want to print, so you don’t have to print overlapping sizes.
- Projector patterns can be used with projectors to display your pattern directly on your fabric without printing.
Each pattern indicates what formats it's available in on the “Pattern Format” tab on the product page.
All book patterns are printed and you'll find them in the back of your book. They are double-sided to keep the price of the book down, so we recommend tracing the pattern before cutting.
Note: Patterns included in the books are exclusive and are not sold separately.
PDF versions of the patterns are available with all book purchases, but they are not automatically added to customer accounts. You can request access, and you’ll be able to download either copyshop (A0) or print-at-home files – whichever you prefer.
Just follow the link on each book product page to get the PDFs (see the 'Description' tab). Then enter the ISBN found on the back of your printed book.
Please note: our PDF files are password protected. You can print them at a copyshop, but your chosen copyshop must not need to edit the file in order to print it. Check this with your copyshop before placing your order to avoid issues.
Important for customers with books printed outside the UK: these editions have a different ISBN number, which is used as the password for PDF access. Please contact us with a copy of your purchase receipt so we can provide the correct ISBN/password.
We'd love to publish our books in as many languages as possible, but we don't publish the books ourselves so unfortunately this is not something we control. If you know of an international publisher who might be interested, please do tell them about the book!
Books are currently available in these languages:
Love at First Stitch
UK English, US/Canadian English, French, Czech, Danish, Dutch, Finnish, German, Norwegian and Swedish.
Stretch!
English, Czech and German.
Make It Simple
English, French and German.
Mini Makes English.
You will access your classes on our dedicated online workshop website.
After purchasing your workshop, you’ll receive an email separate to your order confirmation with instructions on how to access your course.
If you have purchased workshops previously (using the same email address), you can access newly purchased workshops with the same login credentials and do not need to reset your password.
If you can’t find it (or it’s vanished into the email abyss), just follow these steps:
- Head to www.tillyandthebuttonsworkshops.com and select 'Login' at the top right
- Click “Forgot your password?”
- Enter the email address you used at checkout
- Click “Get New Password” and check your inbox
- Follow the link to set your password and you’re in
Once logged in, you can start your workshop anytime.
If a PDF pattern is included in your workshop, it will be emailed to you separately, and also available in the Supplies module of the class.
Our workshops are divided into three levels - Absolute Beginners, Confident Beginners, and Improvers. If you are unsure which workshop is right for you, you can contact us with details about your current sewing experience and the skills you'd like to learn, and we can recommend the most suitable courses for your needs.
Visit our online workshops collection, where you'll find all our available workshops broken down by skill level, along with some more workshop specific FAQs.
Each workshop page details what's included in the class, so make sure to read through thoroughly before signing up.
Workshops that focus on a particular sewing project include a PDF version of the pattern in the cost, so there is no need to purchase it separately. Some also have a paper pattern available - select this option from the dropdown menu at purchase.
No. We invest a lot in our patterns, and they are licensed for personal use only. Making gifts with them is fine, but selling what you've made for commercial gain is not.
Yes! Please submit your enquiry via our wholesale page and we'll send you our latest information.
Yes! Each student will have to buy their own copy of the pattern or book as they are licensed for individual use only and cannot be reproduced or shared for commercial gain - this applies to PDF patterns as well as paper patterns.
Many sewing schools include a copy of a pattern or book in the price of the course - if you choose to do this, we can offer a wholesale discount on bulk purchases. Please submit your enquiry via our wholesale page and we'll send you our latest information.
Always credit Tilly and the Buttons and use the correct pattern/book name in class description.
Known errors are listed on our errata page. If it's not there, please do drop us a line so we can look into it - thank you!
Our sewing patterns come with detailed instructions that walk you through each step, and colour photos to show you exactly what your project should look like at each stage. We also share more in-depth tutorials for particular techniques on our blog.
If you're still struggling with a step related to one of our patterns, you can email sewing@tillyandthebuttons.com for more help. Please be aware we're a very small team, so it might take us a little while to get back to you during busy periods.
To access your order history and/or download PDF files, you need to login using the same email address you used to place your order. A passcode will be sent to your email to complete the login process. From there you will be able to view all your previous orders and access your files.