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 here.
- Older patterns and books: Three size bands – UK 6–20, UK 6–24, 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. Always choose your size based on your measurements for the best fit.
Cup sizes:
- 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)
Dressmaker’s cup ≠ bra cup – 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 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 PDFs let you select only the size you want to print, so you don’t have to print overlapping sizes.
- Projector files can be used with projectors to display your pattern directly on your fabric without printing.
You can find links to the layered PDF collection and projector file collections here:
For each pattern, check the “Pattern Format” tab on the product page before purchasing to see whether that pattern is available in your preferred format.
All book patterns are printed and you'll find them in the back of your book. They are double-sided to keep the price 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. You’ll be asked to log in or create a shop account, then enter the password 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.
A foreign language publisher buys the rights from our UK publisher. 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 included, PDF patterns are emailed separately and also available in the Gather Your Supplies module when logged in.
If you are unsure which workshop is right for you, you can contact us with details about the skills you'd like to learn, and we can recommend the most suitable course 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.
All online workshops that revolve around a sewing pattern, include a PDF version of the pattern in the cost, so there is no need to purchase it separately.
If you would like a paper version, you can simply select it from the dropdown option - only if the paper sewing pattern is still in stock.
No. Tilly and the Buttons sewing patterns are licensed for personal use only – gifts are fine, selling is not.
Yes! Please submit your enquiry via our wholesale page and we'll send you our latest wholesale information.
Yes! Each student will have to buy their own copy of the pattern or book as they are licensed for individual use only - this applies to PDF patterns as well as paper patterns.
If you plan to include our patterns/books in the price of the course, we can offer a wholesale discount on bulk purchases Please submit your enquiry via our wholesale page and we'll send you our latest wholesale information.
Always credit Tilly and the Buttons and use the correct pattern/book name in class descriptions.
It may have already been spotted! Known errors are listed on our errata page.
Our printed sewing patterns come with detailed instructions that walk you through each step, and colour photos to show you exactly what we mean. We also include extra sewing tips to help you out.
If the sewing problem you're having isn't covered there, check out our blog where we share tons of tutorials and sewalongs.
If you can't find the answer, email sewing@tillyandthebuttons.com for more help. Please be aware we're a small team so it might take us a little while to get back to you during busy periods.
To access your order history and download PDF patterns, you need to have a customer account.
- To create an account, click “Create account” at checkout or on the login page (top right), and follow the instructions.
- Once your account is set up, you can log in to view your past orders and download any PDF patterns associated with them.
Important: If you try to reset your password before creating an account, you won’t receive a password reset email. Make sure you’ve created your account first, then you can use the password reset option if needed.