I’d call this ‘Last of the summer gingham’ but I’ve already named a dress that.
Hello friends! How are we all doing? It’s been a few weeks since my last post — well, because honestly I’m having a crisis in whether or not I want to carry on having a traditional blog. Doing the whole blogger/influencer thing in a world where social media is actively working against you sucks. I do enjoy writing and doing little photoshoots for my blog, however, so maybe things aren’t so bad. And today I wanted to show off something I’ve made for once! So here is my plus size Lyra dress from Tilly and the Buttons.
Tilly and the Buttons Lyra Dress
When the Lyra pattern was released back in April — I was instantly in love. I love a shirtdress, and have done for years. Usually I go for a 50s shirtdress styles with massive ol’ skirts attached, but there was something about the floaty skirt and bishop sleeve that I was nigh-on obsessed with. Of course, since it’s me — I had to make it in a light gingham fabric!
I actually cut out the entirety of this dress back in May. I even filmed the whole of the cutting out for a reel I was planning on doing. And then… it sat there. Until the end of August, when I finally got my arse into gear and sat down and made the whole thing in just over two days.
I’ve never actually made a Tilly and the Buttons pattern before, even though I’ve followed Tilly’s journey since her early blogging days. I’ve always just been outside of their pattern sizing. But with the addition of the UK16-32 size range, I finally can get the TATB style I’ve always loved! The Buttons’ style is super cute; much lighter, floatier and looser than my usual style, and something I’m playing around with more recently.
Being my first TATB pattern, I decided to do something I don’t usually do — which is actually follow the instructions for once, haha! I’m a nightmare for actually following patterns instructions usually, but these were so straight-forward and easy to follow! I’d definitely recommend their patterns for beginner sewists to dip their toes into more intermediate projects; I haven’t made a shirt collar since 2010 at least, and it made putting it together a real breeze.
Tilly and The Buttons Plus Size
For sizing, I cut the TATB size ’11’; which is roughly a UK26, based off my bust measurement more than anything else. I’m usually a UK22/24, and the bust of this fits perfectly, but I definitely should have graded down to the size ’10’ on the waist and arm scythe. I figured a blousey look was absolutely fine with this style, though — so I’m not exactly mad at it. It’s certainly a comfortable fit! The TATB ’10’ / UK24 would probably fit perfectly, so there’s a good amount of ease added into the pattern, so feel free to size down if you’re in between sizes!
The amusing part is that I added in a whole bunch of these vintage celluloid buttons to combat gaping in the button stand — and it’s big enough that I don’t really need those buttons to get in on! And the hardest part of this entire make was the damned buttonholes, so that was accidentally wasted time!
It’s a lovely dress, honestly. I feel a bit weird about it though — I’m not really sure exactly why it feels weird on me, but I literally left editing the photos and doing the post for over a week because I just felt so strange about it. Maybe it’s a follow on from my body issues I’m having at the moment. Maybe it’s just it’s a different style of dress? Who knows, honestly. The more I look at these photos, the more I like how it looks on me; and it’s such a floaty, comfortable dress, I’m really happy I’m warming to it more!
Does that ever happen to you? You spend the time making something, then suddenly there’s a disconnect between how much you wanted it and how much you don’t love it on?
What do you think of my gingham Lyra dress?
Have you made a Lyra dress? Or maybe you don’t sew and want to try? I’d love to hear all about it in the comments! And you can also see me modelling the Tilly and the Buttons Skye Dress here!
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