How the hack did you do that?! Margaux and her #Tilda hack
The social media-sewing combo is trending strong. Making unique garments and posting them on a blog or Instagram to inspire others? The growing number of blogger and Instagrammer Sewist(a)s worldwide shows no sign of slowing. Fibre Mood regularly features a Sewist(a) and their original hack of a Fibre Mood pattern. Margaux of @_domum and her version of the #Tilda pattern are up this time.
So, who is Margaux?
Hi there! My name is Margaux, and I'm 28 years old. I've lived in Normandy my whole life. You can find me on Instagram under @_domum.
I started sewing a few years back while I was still studying at art school. At the time, I didn’t sew any clothes; that only started after I'd graduated.
But I'm always itching to create something; my imagination knows no bounds. So, it wasn’t long before I started hacking; that's how I can transform my makes into something that’s really me. Pattern hacking also taught me how to draw patterns, which is how I got started designing my own!
Instagram is an endless source of inspiration. I frequently save posts to add to my to-do list. That list also includes a dress I’d spotted in a shop. I don't buy new clothes any more, and when I saw the Tilda pattern, I knew straight away, that it was the perfect base for making that dress. That’s one post less on my to-do list!
A guide to my Tilda pattern hack
(I sewed Tilda in size 36.)
1. The collar: I wanted to make the collar wider and add a ruffle trim. I used super sturdy satin ribbon for my Tilda and followed the pattern instructions.
2. Front and back bodice: cut the front and back bodice pieces at the waist. Sew the collar pieces together and sew the button placket on.
3. The sleeves: cut the sleeve pattern piece in half (lengthwise), and leave 15 cm between both pattern pieces to gather the top and bottom. Redraw the altered pattern piece and gather the top by leaving 10 cm open on either side and at the bottom. Cut two strips of fabric measuring 7 cm x 30 cm; this will form the trim at the bottom of the sleeves. Then sew the sleeves to the bodice, neatly distributing the gathers.
4. The first ruffle (with pockets): make pockets and cut two rectangles (66 cm x 120 cm for the front and 66 cm x 120 cm for the back). Sew the pockets in the seams of the rectangles and sew the sides together. Gather the tops of the rectangles; evenly divide the gathers across the width and sew the gathered rectangle to the bodice of the dress.
5. The next two ruffles: cut three 30 cm x 130 cm strips of fabric, gather the tops, and sew them to the dress. Hem, and you’re all set!
This dress does require a lot of fabric given all the gathered fabric strips involved. However, they're really a must to create great volume and a dress that makes folks go – WOW!
Happy sewing!
Fancy making your own unique Tilda? Buy the pattern here!
