“OH THIS? I MADE IT MYSELF!”
Fancy learning a wealth of garment sewing skills with Tilly?
In this workshop, Tilly will take you step-by-step through making a beautiful Nell blouse or dress, teaching you lots of fundamental garment sewing tips and techniques along the way – including sewing darts, gathers, buttonholes, set in sleeves… and lots more!
You will finish the class with a gorgeous garment you can be proud to say you made yourself, as well as an abundance of new skills and creative confidence that you can go on to use again and again in future sewing projects.
What equipment do I need?
• Sewing machine
• Sewing toolkit – a supplies list is included in the workshop
• Fabric and supplies for your Nell blouse or dress – listed here if you want to get a head start.
• Computer / tablet / smart phone and an internet connection to stream the videos
How long will this workshop take?
That’s up to you! The course is broken down into manageable, bitesize lessons that you can take at a pace that suits you. It includes 15 video lessons, from 4 to 30 minutes long. You may like to spread the lessons out over a few evenings or set aside a weekend for a binge sewing session.
What is the size range of the Nell pattern?
The Nell blouse or dress sewing pattern pattern is in sizes UK 6-34 / US 2-30 / EUR 34-62 / AUS 6-34.
View the UK 6-34 measurements chart for more information.
This online workshop contains fully captioned video lessons, written tuition and downloadable resources.
WHAT YOU'LL LEARN
Module
1
WORKING WITH FABRIC + PATTERNS
- Selecting suitable fabrics and understanding how they will impact the finished garment
- Taking accurate measurements and choosing your size
- Understanding garment ease
- Common fitting adjustments you may need
- Two ways of cutting your pattern – the speedy way, and an alternative method which preserves more sizes
- Transferring pattern markings accurately
Module
2
GARMENT CONSTRUCTION ESSENTIALS
- Creating shaping with darts – and how to sew them smoothly
- Setting in sleeves
- Adding structure with interfacing
- Constructing a neat neckline with a facing
- Attaching a gathered skirt
- Hemming a bodice, skirt and sleeves
- Pressing tips and tricks
Module
3
STITCHING TIPS + TECHNIQUES
- A refresher of basic sewing techniques, including pinning, stitching, trimming, grading and clipping seam allowances
- Adjusting stitch settings for different scenarios
- Finishing seam allowances using a regular sewing machine
- Securing bias cut and curved edges with staystitching
- Tips for topstitching and edgestitching
- Securing a facing with understitching and “stitching in the ditch”
Module
4
CREATING FASTENINGS
- Sewing buttonholes confidently – both one-step (automatic) and four-step (manual)
- Buttonhole troubleshooting checklist
- Marking fastening positions accurately
- Hand sewing buttons and hidden snaps
Module
5
OPTIONAL DETAILS
- Creating showstopping lined puffball sleeves
- Constructing narrow ties
- Adding patch pockets
- How to sew a bar tack
WORKSHOP BENEFITS
1
STEP-BY-STEP VIDEOS
Follow an in-depth programme, structured with our trusted format.
See the sewing in detail with our video lessons!
2
ON-DEMAND ACCESS
Learn at a pace that suits you, any time of day, with no deadlines.
Set your own timetable!
3
LEARN AT HOME
Take the workshop from the comfort of your own home, using your own sewing machine.
There's no need to travel to a class or book a date in your busy diary!
4
GREAT VALUE
Revisit the lessons as often as you like, whenever you need a refresher -
for a fraction of the price of attending a face-to-face class!
WHO IS THIS WORKSHOP FOR?
BUDDING SEWISTS
You’ve sewn simple projects before and are ready to learn lots of essential garment sewing techniques
RETURNEES
You’ve sewn clothes in the past and want a refresher to get back into it
LEARNERS
You’ve attended sewing classes and want a resource to refer to at home
QUILTERS
You are confident sewing homewares but want some help with making clothing
MEET YOUR INSTRUCTOR
Tilly Walnes is a best-selling sewing author, teacher and founder of Tilly and the Buttons. She has been writing about sewing, designing and teaching for over a decade.
Named 'Most Inspirational Sewing Personality' in the British Sewing Awards, Tilly’s teaching is down-to-earth, encouraging and packed full of helpful tips. She loves sewing, and wants you to love it too!
What makers are saying
Customer Reviews
Based on 5 reviews
100%
(5)
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K
Well I have just completed the Nell Peplum blouse workshop it was very enjoyable and very easy to follow and instructions were very clear I thoroughly enjoyed it and cannot wait to make some more Nells think I will be having a wardrobe full Nells Thank you Tilly
Hi! How exciting to hear that another Nell is out there - yay! We made sure to include plenty of variations (sleeves, buttons, or ties) so you can have a wardrobe full of Nells. We can't wait to see them all! Thanks so much for your lovely feedback! Happy stitching! Virginija x
M
I loved the workshop for the Nell button front dress. It gave clear and detailed instructions. Tilly’s presentation was calm and given at the right speed. I loved how the dress came together and the experience has given me confidence to attempt more projects with a greater degree of difficulty. Thank you Tilly.
B
This was the first garment I've ever made and I found the instructions really easy to follow. The video tutorials are really worth purchasing and really helped me understand all the new techniques and terms that I hadn't heard of before. I made the dress version but I've now bought fabric to make the peplum blouse version!
T
I decided to take this course as I saw it on instagram. I have sewed my whole adult life (self taught) and I wanted to make a piece of clothing for myself. I mostly make other sewn items (homewares/bags/) and do repairs for family and friends. From the moment I downloaded the pattern, I felt accomplished having never ever put a pattern together. The course was really easy to follow. I was hooked straight away. I did a wearable toile. I felt amazing that I had produced a professionally made dress with Tilly’s expert guidance. I have already signed up to another course called the knockout dress. I can’t wait to get started. Tilly is an amazing teacher. Thank you 🤩
J
I have quite a few of Tilly’s patterns and all of her books. Tilly is fantastic at explaining the instructions in her videos and keeping them extremely clear and easy to follow. Highly recommend to try her online workshops if you haven’t already, she holds your hand all the way, giving me the confidence to have a go at her latest Nell pattern.
Sign Up Today
LEARN TO SEW A BUTTON-FRONT DRESS OR BLOUSE
£55
Includes:
Instant, on-demand access
15 video lessons
Closed captions available on all videos
Written tuition + downloadable resources
Nell Blouse + Dress PDF sewing pattern in sizes UK 6-34 / US 2-30 / EUR 34-62 / AUS 6-34
LEARN TO SEW A BUTTON-FRONT DRESS OR BLOUSE+ PRINTED PATTERN
£65
Includes:
Instant, on-demand access
15 video lessons
Closed captions available on all videos
Written tuition + downloadable resources
Nell blouse and dress sewing pattern printed sewing pattern in sizes UK 6-34 / US 2-30 / EUR 34-62 / AUS 6-34 (PDF pattern is also included)
Customer Reviews
Based on 5 reviews
100%
(5)
0%
(0)
0%
(0)
0%
(0)
0%
(0)
K
Well I have just completed the Nell Peplum blouse workshop it was very enjoyable and very easy to follow and instructions were very clear I thoroughly enjoyed it and cannot wait to make some more Nells think I will be having a wardrobe full Nells Thank you Tilly
Hi! How exciting to hear that another Nell is out there - yay! We made sure to include plenty of variations (sleeves, buttons, or ties) so you can have a wardrobe full of Nells. We can't wait to see them all! Thanks so much for your lovely feedback! Happy stitching! Virginija x
M
I loved the workshop for the Nell button front dress. It gave clear and detailed instructions. Tilly’s presentation was calm and given at the right speed. I loved how the dress came together and the experience has given me confidence to attempt more projects with a greater degree of difficulty. Thank you Tilly.
B
This was the first garment I've ever made and I found the instructions really easy to follow. The video tutorials are really worth purchasing and really helped me understand all the new techniques and terms that I hadn't heard of before. I made the dress version but I've now bought fabric to make the peplum blouse version!
T
I decided to take this course as I saw it on instagram. I have sewed my whole adult life (self taught) and I wanted to make a piece of clothing for myself. I mostly make other sewn items (homewares/bags/) and do repairs for family and friends. From the moment I downloaded the pattern, I felt accomplished having never ever put a pattern together. The course was really easy to follow. I was hooked straight away. I did a wearable toile. I felt amazing that I had produced a professionally made dress with Tilly’s expert guidance. I have already signed up to another course called the knockout dress. I can’t wait to get started. Tilly is an amazing teacher. Thank you 🤩
J
I have quite a few of Tilly’s patterns and all of her books. Tilly is fantastic at explaining the instructions in her videos and keeping them extremely clear and easy to follow. Highly recommend to try her online workshops if you haven’t already, she holds your hand all the way, giving me the confidence to have a go at her latest Nell pattern.