Beginner sewing class from Tilly and the Buttons

Learn to Sew a Button-Front Dress or Blouse

Online workshop with Tilly Walnes
Regular price£65.00
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“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 and the Buttons - Tilly Walnes

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

I have followed several of Tilly’s workshops. I find them easy to follow and very well done. Tilly explains everything perfectly while at the same time building your confidence that you will be able to succeed. Thank you for inspiring me.

Sandra

I absolutely love this workshop and pattern! They are so clear and concise I didn't feel overwhelmed once. Thank you so much, Tilly! I cannot wait to make more ;)

AFT

A clear and informative workshop which is detailed without being overwhelming. It’s a fabulous resource for me to return to again and again. I love the video format and this is the 2nd one I have subscribed to. Thank you!

Jude

Customer Reviews

Based on 11 reviews
100%
(11)
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L
Lisa
Great for every level of dressmaking

I am really enjoying this course. What I love is that Tilly encourages you to think for yourself, be more familiarised with the fabric you are working with and your sewing machine and most importantly, enjoy the whole process! Lots of handy tips which are transferable to other projects so well worth it

Hi Lisa, thank you so much for your lovely review! I’m so happy to hear that you’re enjoying the course and learning lots of new skills that will be useful in the future. Happy sewing! Virginija x

M
Myra Jeffreys
I surprised even myself!

I made the Nell longer length dress. This is the first significant garment I have ever made and I'm so impressed with the result - all down to such a good tutorial. I've always said that I know absolutely nothing about sewing but Tilly made every step so straightforward - easy to understand and to copy her instructions. A video tutorial is a brilliant way to learn as obviously one can replay a particular module as many times as necessary.
Visually, the video is very pleasing also. Very clear camera shots and beautifully coordinated colour schemes - that all helps the learning experience!

I shall definitely carry on with my sewing - am already eyeing up one or two other workshops!
I strongly recommend anyone who wants to take up sewing but is nervous about starting, to take the plunge and get a video tutorial

Hi Myra, thank you so much for your amazing review! I'm so happy to hear that the videos gave you the confidence to start sewing, and even more excited that you're now wearing the beautiful Nell dress you made - well done! :) We put a lot of care into creating these pre-recorded videos so that you can enjoy the process while learning and sewing along. Hope you have fun revisiting the workshop or diving into another one soon! Virginija x

J
Janet Conway
First time for sewing button holes

Easy to follow instructions and an enjoyable way to improve and learn new techniques.
I took my time and looked forward to each session.

Hi Janet, thanks for your review! Well done on building the courage to tackle buttons and buttonholes - yay! I’m so happy to hear you learned new skills and enjoyed the process. Hope you make many more Nell dresses or tops! Virginija x

J
Julie McAleer
Excellent

I have loved Tilly’s sew a button front dress workshop. Her teaching is easy to follow and she makes everything very clear and concise.
Thank you Tilly, I will definitely be back for more.

Hi Julie, thanks for your 5-star review! It's so lovely to hear that you enjoyed the workshop and will be back for more! We can't wait to see what you make. :) Happy stitching! Virginija x

E
Erica Tucker
First dress I have ever made.

This course was brilliant!! I am new to sewing at 63 years old and wanted in-depth easy to understand instructions and this is exactly what I got on the course and my Nell dress is perfect. I have learnt so much and have since made the blouse, a shirt for my husband and another dress. I have fallen in love with sewing and discovered my happy place.

Thank you Tilly and the Buttons x

Hi Erica, thank you so much for the 5 stars! We’re so happy you loved the course and found the instructions easy to follow. Congrats on making your first dress at 63 - that’s amazing! It’s astonishing to hear you’ve made a blouse, a shirt for your husband, and another dress since then!!! It's so lovely to hear you’ve found your happy place in sewing. :) Thanks for the kind words, and happy sewing! Virginija x

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

Buy Now
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)

Buy Now

Customer Reviews

Based on 11 reviews
100%
(11)
0%
(0)
0%
(0)
0%
(0)
0%
(0)
L
Lisa
Great for every level of dressmaking

I am really enjoying this course. What I love is that Tilly encourages you to think for yourself, be more familiarised with the fabric you are working with and your sewing machine and most importantly, enjoy the whole process! Lots of handy tips which are transferable to other projects so well worth it

Hi Lisa, thank you so much for your lovely review! I’m so happy to hear that you’re enjoying the course and learning lots of new skills that will be useful in the future. Happy sewing! Virginija x

M
Myra Jeffreys
I surprised even myself!

I made the Nell longer length dress. This is the first significant garment I have ever made and I'm so impressed with the result - all down to such a good tutorial. I've always said that I know absolutely nothing about sewing but Tilly made every step so straightforward - easy to understand and to copy her instructions. A video tutorial is a brilliant way to learn as obviously one can replay a particular module as many times as necessary.
Visually, the video is very pleasing also. Very clear camera shots and beautifully coordinated colour schemes - that all helps the learning experience!

I shall definitely carry on with my sewing - am already eyeing up one or two other workshops!
I strongly recommend anyone who wants to take up sewing but is nervous about starting, to take the plunge and get a video tutorial

Hi Myra, thank you so much for your amazing review! I'm so happy to hear that the videos gave you the confidence to start sewing, and even more excited that you're now wearing the beautiful Nell dress you made - well done! :) We put a lot of care into creating these pre-recorded videos so that you can enjoy the process while learning and sewing along. Hope you have fun revisiting the workshop or diving into another one soon! Virginija x

J
Janet Conway
First time for sewing button holes

Easy to follow instructions and an enjoyable way to improve and learn new techniques.
I took my time and looked forward to each session.

Hi Janet, thanks for your review! Well done on building the courage to tackle buttons and buttonholes - yay! I’m so happy to hear you learned new skills and enjoyed the process. Hope you make many more Nell dresses or tops! Virginija x

J
Julie McAleer
Excellent

I have loved Tilly’s sew a button front dress workshop. Her teaching is easy to follow and she makes everything very clear and concise.
Thank you Tilly, I will definitely be back for more.

Hi Julie, thanks for your 5-star review! It's so lovely to hear that you enjoyed the workshop and will be back for more! We can't wait to see what you make. :) Happy stitching! Virginija x

E
Erica Tucker
First dress I have ever made.

This course was brilliant!! I am new to sewing at 63 years old and wanted in-depth easy to understand instructions and this is exactly what I got on the course and my Nell dress is perfect. I have learnt so much and have since made the blouse, a shirt for my husband and another dress. I have fallen in love with sewing and discovered my happy place.

Thank you Tilly and the Buttons x

Hi Erica, thank you so much for the 5 stars! We’re so happy you loved the course and found the instructions easy to follow. Congrats on making your first dress at 63 - that’s amazing! It’s astonishing to hear you’ve made a blouse, a shirt for your husband, and another dress since then!!! It's so lovely to hear you’ve found your happy place in sewing. :) Thanks for the kind words, and happy sewing! Virginija x