Sewing pattern for a button-front dress with short straight sleeves and a button-front blouse with flutter sleeves. Tilly and the Buttons.
Sewing pattern for a blouse with faux bow ties, hidden snaps, and puffball sleeves. Tilly and the Buttons.
Sewing pattern for a blouse with faux bow ties, hidden snaps, and puffball sleeves. Tilly and the Buttons.
Sewing pattern for a blouse with faux bow ties, hidden snaps, and puffball sleeves. Tilly and the Buttons.
Sewing pattern for a blouse with faux bow ties, hidden snaps, and puffball sleeves. Tilly and the Buttons.
Sewing pattern for a blouse with faux bow ties, hidden snaps, and puffball sleeves. Tilly and the Buttons.
Sewing pattern for a blouse with faux bow ties, hidden snaps, and puffball sleeves. Tilly and the Buttons.
Sewing pattern for a blouse with faux bow ties, hidden snaps, and puffball sleeves. Tilly and the Buttons.
Sewing pattern for a button-front blouse with flutter sleeves. Tilly and the Buttons.
Sewing pattern for a button-front blouse with flutter sleeves. Tilly and the Buttons.
Sewing pattern for a button-front blouse with flutter sleeves. Tilly and the Buttons.
Sewing pattern for a button-front blouse with flutter sleeves. Tilly and the Buttons.
Sewing pattern for a knee-length dress with a button-front. Tilly and the Buttons.
Sewing pattern for a knee-length dress with a button-front and a gathered skirt, viewed from the back. Tilly and the Buttons.
Sewing pattern for a knee-length dress with a button-front. Tilly and the Buttons.
Sewing pattern for a button-front dress with short straight sleeves. Tilly and the Buttons.
Sewing pattern for a button-front dress with short straight sleeves. Tilly and the Buttons.
Sewing pattern for a button-front dress with short straight sleeves. Tilly and the Buttons.
Sewing pattern for a button-front dress with short straight sleeves. Tilly and the Buttons.
Technical drawings for the Nell sewing pattern: straight blouse, peplum blouse, and knee or midi-length gathered dress with various features and sleeve options. Tilly and the Buttons.
Cover of the Nell sewing pattern by Tilly and the Buttons, featuring a button-front dress with short straight sleeves and a button-front peplum blouse with flutter sleeves.
Back cover of the Nell sewing pattern by Tilly and the Buttons, featuring technical drawings, supplies list, fabric suggestions, body measurements, and fabric requirements.
Nell sewing pattern body measurements and finished garment measurements chart. Tilly and the Buttons.

Nell Blouse + Dress

Printed or PDF Sewing Pattern
Regular price£18.50
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Tax included.
PATTERN FORMAT

ONE PATTERN, MULTIPLE ME-MADES

Meet your new favourite sewing pattern! Nell is a timeless, easy-to-wear blouse and dress that will be on regular rotation in your wardrobe. Simple to sew, this mix ‘n’ match pattern includes four blouse and dress options and four sleeve styles to choose from, plus optional patch pockets and choice of button-front style or on-trend tie opening. The only question is which version will you make first?

Fancy sewing along with Tilly? Take our online workshop!

  • Straight blouse, peplum blouse, knee-length or midi-length gathered dress
  • Relaxed fit bodice with bust darts
  • V neckline finished with a facing
  • Choice of button-front opening or faux bow ties with hidden snaps
  • Four sleeve options: short and straight, bracelet-length, flutter, or lined puffball
  • Optional patch pockets on the bodice or skirt

SKILL LEVEL - Confident Beginner

PATTERN SUPPORT - Need extra help sewing Nell? Take Tilly's online workshop! 

MODEL GARMENT SIZES - Sinead (green blouse and navy dress) is wearing a size 9 (UK 22). Man Yee (yellow dress and pink blouse) is wearing a size 2 (UK 8). 

                  Sewing pattern sizes are labelled with generic numbers from 1 to 15. Use the body measurements to determine your size.

                  Size range: UK 6-34 / US 2-30 / EUR 34-62 / AUS 6-34

                  BODY MEASUREMENTS
                  SIZE BUST WAIST HIP
                  1
                  UK 6 / US 2 / EUR 34 / AUS 6
                  76cm
                  (30in)
                  61cm
                  (24in)
                  84cm
                  (33in)
                  2
                  UK 8 / US 4 / EUR 36 / AUS 8
                  81cm
                  (32in)
                  66cm
                  (26in)
                  89cm
                  (35in)
                  3
                  UK 10 / US 6 / EUR 38 / AUS 10
                  86.5cm
                  (34in)
                  71cm
                  (28in)
                  94cm
                  (37in)
                  4
                  UK 12 / US 8 / EUR 40 / AUS 12
                  91.5cm
                  (36in)
                  76cm
                  (30in)
                  99cm
                  (39in)
                  5
                  UK 14 / US 10 / EUR 42 / AUS 14
                  96.5cm
                  (38in)
                  81cm
                  (32in)
                  104cm
                  (41in)
                  6
                  UK 16 / US 12 / EUR 44 / AUS 16
                  101.5cm
                  (40in)
                  86.5cm
                  (34in)
                  109cm
                  (43in)
                  7
                  UK 18 / US 14 / EUR 46 / AUS 18
                  112cm
                  (44in)
                  94cm
                  (37in)
                  114cm
                  (45in)
                  8
                  UK 20 / US 16 / EUR 48 / AUS 20
                  117cm
                  (46in)
                  99cm
                  (39in)
                  119.5cm
                  (47in)
                  9
                  UK 22 / US 18 / EUR 50 / AUS 22
                  122cm
                  (48in)
                  104cm
                  (41in)
                  124.5cm
                  (49in)
                  10
                  UK 24 / US 20 / EUR 52 / AUS 24
                  127cm
                  (50in)
                  109cm
                  (43in)
                  129.5cm
                  (51in)
                  11
                  UK 26 / US 22 / EUR 54 / AUS 26
                  132cm
                  (52in)
                  114cm
                  (45in)
                  134.5cm
                  (53in)
                  12
                  UK 28 / US 24 / EUR 56 / AUS 28
                  137cm
                  (54in)
                  119.5cm
                  (47in)
                  139.5cm
                  (55in)
                  13
                  UK 30 / US 26 / EUR 58 / AUS 30
                  142cm
                  (56in)
                  124.5cm
                  (49in)
                  144.5cm
                  (57in)
                  14
                  UK 32 / US 28 / EUR 60 / AUS 32
                  147cm
                  (58in)
                  129.5cm
                  (51in)
                  150cm
                  (59in)
                  15
                  UK 34 / US 30 / EUR 62 / AUS 34
                  152.5cm
                  (60in)
                  134.5cm
                  (53in)
                  155cm
                  (61in)

                  Supplies

                  • Fabric (see below + back of envelope)
                  • Matching thread
                  • 0.9m (1yd) iron-on interfacing (similar weight to your fabric)
                  • 10-15mm (⅜-⅝in) wide buttons or sew-on snaps (for faux tie versions): 6 for straight blouse, 7 for peplum blouse, 10 for knee-length dress, or 11 for midi dress
                  • Sewing machine and basic tools, incl buttonhole foot

                  Fabric Suggestions

                  Light-to medium-weight woven fabrics such as cotton lawn, poplin, chambray, flannel, linen blends, Tencel (lyocell), viscose (rayon). For the puffball sleeve, choose a fabric with body that will hold its shape. The straight sleeve dress could also be made in needlecord or lighter-weight denim.

                  Fabric Requirements

                  Lengths listed are for puffball + bracelet sleeve – see notes below for other sleeves.

                  140cm (56in) wide

                  Straight blouse:

                  • sizes 1-6: 1.8m (2yd) - with any sleeve
                  • sizes 7-11: 2.1m (2⅜yd)‡
                  • sizes 12-15: 2.6m (2⅞yd)§

                  Peplum blouse:

                  • sizes 1-6: 1.8m (2yd)†
                  • sizes 7-11: 2.3m (2½yd)*‡
                  • sizes 12-15: 2.7m (3yd)§

                  Knee-length dress:

                  • sizes 1-6: 2.4m (2⅝yd)†
                  • sizes 7-11: 2.9m (3¼yd)*‡
                  • sizes 12-15: 3.3m (3⅝yd)§

                  Midi dress:

                  • sizes 1-6: 2.9m (3¼yd)†
                  • sizes 7-11: 3.3m (3⅝yd)‡
                  • sizes 12-15: 3.8m (4⅛yd)§

                  115cm (45in) wide

                  Straight blouse:

                  • sizes 1-4: 2.2m (2½yd)§
                  • sizes 5-8: 2.4m (2⅝yd)§
                  • sizes 9-12: 2.6m (2⅞yd)§
                  • sizes 13-15: 2.7m (3yd)§

                  Peplum blouse:

                  • sizes 1-4: 2.2m (2½yd)§
                  • sizes 5-8: 2.6m (2⅞yd)§
                  • sizes 9-12: 3m (3¼yd)§
                  • sizes 13-15: wider fabric needed for peplum blouse

                  Knee-length dress:

                  • sizes 1-4: 2.8m (3⅛yd)§
                  • sizes 5-8: 3.2m (3½yd)§
                  • sizes 9-12: 3.9m (4¼yd)§
                  • sizes 13-15: wider fabric needed for dress versions

                  Midi dress:

                  • sizes 1-4: 3.3m (3⅝yd)§
                  • sizes 5-8: 3.6m (4yd)§
                  • sizes 9-12: 4.6m (5yd)§
                  • sizes 13-15: wider fabric needed for dress versions

                  *0.3m (⅓yd) less for flutter sleeve | †0.4m (½yd) less for flutter sleeve | ‡0.5m (⅝yd) less for short straight sleeve | §0.5m (⅝yd) less for flutter +
                  short straight sleeve

                  Printed or PDF

                  Printed Sewing Pattern

                  You will receive a gorgeous printed package containing full-scale pattern sheets and a colour booklet with step-by-step instructions.

                  PDF Sewing Pattern

                  You will receive an email immediately after purchase with a link to download the PDF files. Find out more about digital pattern delivery.

                  Print at at home on either A4 or US Letter paper, or use the A0 copyshop files for professional printing. 

                  You will need Adobe Reader to print the pattern to the correct scale (free to download).

                  Customer Reviews

                  Based on 26 reviews
                  96%
                  (25)
                  4%
                  (1)
                  0%
                  (0)
                  0%
                  (0)
                  0%
                  (0)
                  S
                  Skyeskye
                  Comfortable stylish dress/top with options

                  I am on my third Nell, I love it and each one I have adjusted a bit. A viscose version seemed to look quite roomy compared to a cotton version. Not the fault of the pattern just fabric choice. I am 5' 10" with long body so lengthened the body by 2" I also lengthened the skirt by 2" and thought about pocket placement. The instructions were super easy to follow both with words and pictures and prompts to check the website if there ws something you needed extra help with. I love that the skirt is not too gathered as the Nell skirt is very flattering. I have sized down for the last make and as I am making it in a cotton lawn I decided to line it all to give it a bit more body. I have had no problems with the making up and would highly recommend this a really lovely dress and top.

                  Hi Skyeskye, thank you so much for sharing your experience with the pattern! Wow - three already, yay! It’s fantastic that you’ve noticed how different fabrics can give such varied results with the same pattern. That’s the beauty of it - you can end up with completely unique garments each time! I hope you make many more Nells, and happy sewing! Virginija x

                  C
                  Christina Dore
                  Pretty tops

                  I’ve made two straight tops so far. I did a 4 and moved the bust dart down 1’’ and the fit is perfect. I loved sewing the puffball sleeve and in 100% cotton it looks very dramatic. I’ve yet to tie all the bows so that they lie in the same direction however!
                  The second top has a simple short sleeve sewn in a viscose and is very comfortable to wear. I will be making a dress next!

                  Hi Christina, thank you so much for your lovely review and for sharing your me mades! :) I’m so glad to hear that you figured out how to move the darts for the best fit for your shape and preference. And yes, those puffball sleeves are absolutely outstanding! ;) I hope you enjoy making the dress you’re planning, and we can't wait to see many more blouses and dresses from you in the future! Happy stitching! Virginija x

                  K
                  Kim Jacobs
                  Awesome pattern

                  It sews up wonderfully and the instructions are great! Good if you want to start stretching your skills as a beginner.

                  Hi Kim, thanks so much for your 5-star review - yay! Glad to hear that you found our instructions easy to follow and that you enjoyed sewing up the Nell pattern! Happy sewing! Virginija x

                  C
                  Claire Murray
                  Gorgeous Dress and easy to sew

                  I usually have fitting problems with sewing patterns and always make a mock up of the bodice however the Nell Dress fit perfectly. The instructions were very easy to follow and the dress came together in a day. I’m going to make different versions of the dress as I love it.

                  Hi Claire, thank you so much for taking the time to share your experience! I’m so pleased to hear the fit was perfect and that the easy-to-follow instructions helped you save time - yay! We can’t wait to see what you create next. Happy sewing! Virginija x

                  A
                  Anon
                  Nell Pattern

                  This is an excellent pattern and, as always, really good instructions. So many variations too. Currently sewing my second dress (one of each length) after sewing 2 blouses (one with puffball sleeves and one with flutter sleeves). There will be more.

                  Hi Anon, thank you so much for your review! Wow, four Nells already - that’s amazing! I’m so glad your wardrobe will be filled with unique pieces from this pattern, each with its own style. Have fun making even more! Virginija x

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