I'm super excited for Friday 30th May when I'll be going live with Frances and Virginija from team Tilly and the Buttons and lovely cover model Sinead. But ahead of that, let's here a bit more about Samara from Tilly herself and the team.
The Samara is such a great beginner pattern, how did you come up with the design?
Tilly - We wanted to create a design that was an ideal first garment project for a beginner – something that is simple to fit, works in materials that are easy to handle, involves simple construction, and without fiddly fastenings, gathers, set-in sleeves, bias binding, or other features that can intimidate newbies. Our Stevie top and tunic pattern has been consistently popular over the years, so we wanted to design an updated version with a more modern relaxed fit, V neckline, and different sleeve options. I also created an online workshop to go with it, which is ideal for new sewists.
What’s the most fun bit about creating a new pattern?
Tilly - I love the process of creating the instructions, and thinking about what skills we can teach both in the booklet and through more in-depth supporting content such as video tutorials on online workshops. What’s even more rewarding though is seeing how makers put their own spin on the pattern once it’s out in the world – we love seeing what fabrics they choose, any hacks or design details they add, and how they style it. It feels like an amazing collaboration!
What fabrics would you pair with the Samara?
Tilly - One of the great things about the Samara pattern is that it works well in a wide range of fabrics – and can look really different depending on what you pick. A washed linen or linen-viscose blend would be lovely for the summer; a cotton lawn, seersucker or double gauze would be so soft and breezy; or a viscose/rayon would make a nice drapey silhouette. It’d also be so pretty in a broderie anglaise or other kind of embroidered fabric.
What are you working on now?
Tilly - We’re currently working on our autumn patterns, which we’re really excited about! The process of developing a new pattern starts anywhere from 5 to 8 months before it’s unleashed into the world. The whole team are plotting what fabrics to use to sew the next ones up in...
What's your role at Tilly and the Buttons?
Virginija - I’m the Operations and Customer Manager at Tilly and the Buttons! I’m the friendly face behind customer communications – answering emails and Instagram messages to make sure every customer feels heard, supported, and valued. I also oversee our product inventory and personally pack every order, ensuring that each shipment – whether retail or wholesale – leaves our South London studio on time and in perfect condition. Behind the scenes, I stay on top of business policies and compliance, constantly working to streamline our systems and processes to keep everything running smoothly. I manage our day-to-day financial transactions, coordinate our presence at events like the Stitch Festival, and even plan a few fun team bonding activities along the way! In a nutshell, I’m here to keep the wheels turning so the rest of the team can focus on doing what they do best – creating the sewing patterns we love.
Frances - I'm the product manager, so it's my job to manage the development of our sewing patterns, books and online workshops from the very first design sketches, all the way through to the finished products. I coordinate our small but mighty team of freelancers and suppliers who help with pattern cutting, grading, sample sewing, photography and graphic design. I'm in charge of organising all of our photo shoots, writing instructions for the pattern booklets, formatting the patterns in our signature user-friendly style, and you'll even occasionally catch a glimpse of me hand modelling in our instruction photos too! I feel so lucky to have such a varied and creative role here at TATB, and to get to work with such talented people.
What do you love about Samara?
Virginija - I love how speedy Samara is to make - it’s one of those patterns you can whip up in a day, which feels so satisfying.
Frances - I love that Samara is so quick and simple to sew! For an experienced sewist, it's a great palette cleanser, and for beginners it's the perfect introduction to clothes making. Our mission is to help people (including newbie stitchers!) to create stylish clothes that they feel proud to say they made themselves, and I feel like Samara does just that!
What is your ideal fabric for Samara?
Virginija - I’d go for a Swiss knot fabric - it’s the perfect weight for a summer top and has a lovely textured finish that adds a little something special to a clean, simple design.
Frances - Now we're coming into some sunnier weather, I'm dreaming up a washed linen Samara x Esti co-ord for the summer.
If you have any questions for our lovely guests next Friday you can bring them to the event or pop them here for me to ask on your behalf.
