Tilly Walnes created Tilly and the Buttons in the UK after only sewing for 5 years. She developed her skills and talents through trial and error, by reading blogs, in courses at the London College of Fashion, and finally by blogging herself. What makes her patterns special is they are very wearable fun clothes and the patterns don't assume you understand complicated sewing terminology. If you're making your first garment, or it's been a long time, this is a great place to start.
The Françoise dress is a chic and easy-to-wear mini dress, inspired by sixties fashion yet always in style. The design features striking French darts and raglan seams. Choose from two-piece three-quarter length sleeves or a sleeveless version, with optional collar and waist tab.
With its simple flat sleeve construction method and jargon-busting instructions, this pattern makes a great first dress project for beginner sewists. More experienced stitchers can add the optional collar and play around with design variations - how about adding piping to the raglan seam lines?
FABRIC SUGGESTIONS - Medium weight cotton, sateen or light twill, preferably with a bit of stretch; double crepe; linen; double knit. The sleeveless version would also be great in gabardine, quilting weight cotton, light wool or brocade.
SUPPLIES
- Fabric - 1.8m x 150cm wide (2 yards x 60in) OR 2.4m x 115cm wide (2 5/8 yards x 45in) (less for sleeveless version)
- Matching thread
- 56cm / 22in invisible zip
- Iron-on interfacing (about 30cm / 12in, similar weight to your fabric)
- Optional: 2 x 2.5cm / 1in buttons for the tab
- Optional: 1.2m x 35mm bias binding for sleeveless version (or you can make your own)
- Sewing machine and basic tools, incl invisible zip foot
SIZES (body measurements)
Note - please measure carefully before you cut out your pattern. These are not standard North American sizes but measurement based sizes.
| PATTERN SIZE |
BUST |
WAIST |
HIP |
| 1 |
76cm (30in) |
61cm (24in) |
84cm (33in) |
| 2 |
81cm (32in) |
66cm (26in) |
89cm (35in) |
| 3 |
86.5cm (34in) |
71cm (28in) |
94cm (37in) |
| 4 |
91.5cm (36in) |
76cm (30in) |
99cm (39in) |
| 5 |
96.5cm (38in) |
81cm (32in) |
104cm (41in) |
| 6 |
101.5cm (40in) |
86.5cm (34in) |
109cm (43in) |
| 7 |
106.5cm (42in) |
91.5cm (36in) |
114cm (45in) |
| 8 |
112cm (44in) |
96.5cm (38in) |
119.5cm (47in) |
