Half term brought the opportunity to be outside in the daylight, in a suitable enough state to be able to get a few photos of some recent makes. Usually my weekends are taken up with running and football, both of which I adore, but outside of which I barely have chance to make myself look presentable before I’m busy preparing for the new week ahead; even more so over winter when the days are short. 

This post is a roundup of the Tilly and the Buttons Freya top/dress. There are seven versions in the collage, but I’ve actually made nine ~ one of which is wearable in a cute, lightweight dog-print (I know!) jersey. Another was made using this floral border print scuba from Fabworks, which I cut carefully to showcase the design, but in doing so rendered the horizontal stretch almost none existent. Although I could manage to squeeze into it, it certainly wasn’t flattering, so it winged its way across the country to a new home, courtesy of eBay. It’s so strange to think someone may be wearing it. The rest of the makes included are wearable, and worn, and mark something of a change in my sewing. Firstly they are made 90% on my overlocker – all but the hems, and secondly they are soooo easy to wear. To work, at the weekend, around the house. Super comfy, super wearable. Oh, and I’ve currently got another waiting to be hemmed (number 10?) but it’s a slightly modified tshirt version with more of a round neck and little cuffs on the short sleeves. 

I think each of these Freyas has been made as a size 3. The mock turtleneck version can be squeezed out of a 1m piece of fabric, which makes it affordable even when using more luxurious fabrics. It is also super speedy to sew up ~ not much more than an hour from start to finish and it’s ready to wear the following morning. The sleeves set in nicely, as does the collar ~ both turtle and cowl neck. I haven’t yet tried the modifications such as the frill, or varied the sleeves other than length, but evidence would suggest that I will at some point. 

For me the Freya may just be my first #TNT pattern. I love how it’s possible to change the look by choosing different fabrics, and I really like how comfortable and warm this pattern is, particularly the cowl neck. For my dress versions I added 3-4 inches to the skirt, although having recently read about someone who added length to the bodice, I feel this is something I should investigate and compare. 

One of my earliest Freyas is this emerald green and black leopard-print-but-not-quite jersey from Fabworks. I think I bought 1m for about £5. The finishing in this top isn’t perfect but from the outside, and to the untrained eye it’s presentable and I can feel quite smart wearing this. Plus, as the fabric is slightly quilted I feel warm wearing it. 

This Freya is still in circulation even though I’m aware it could be seen as a little Christmassy thanks to the snowflakes. You can’t really tell from the photo but the print on this nice quality jersey from Loubodu Fabrics is like a cross stitch design. You might spot the Pink Coat Club pin catching the light in this pic too. 

If I’m following an order, the next Freya off my machine was this one. I haven’t yet got a decent photo of this one on, but I think it’s pretty much my favourite Freya to date. I just knew this would turn out to be a warm and cosy winter dress, and I have worn it out quite a few times. This pic was taken on my 37th birthday, courtesy of my phone timer. Birthdays as an adult/on work days/in January are weird eh? But my dress made me happy. The fabric was bought from Minerva, quite a while ago, and it has sat patiently in my stash until last month. There’s still a chunk left so I may yet make a little skirt. I really like the print and the velvet-type plush fabric. 

Since I loved the cowl neck dress so much, I made a top out of this fabric which is similar yet different. This one is much more shiny and velvety, and was inexpensive from Harrogate’s Knitting and Stitching Show in November, from a stall I can’t recall the name of. I added an inch or two on the length of this one, even though I’m fairly tall I think it’s my body rather than my legs that are long. I blame my dad…

Next up is this rainbow/leopard print beauty from Loubodu Fabrics #tenner Tuesday. Before I had a chance to even thread my machine up, Emma over at the Zipper Foot had sewn up a beautiful version using exactly the same pattern/fabric combo. Luckily when I messaged her she was kind enough to reply with “twinning is winning!” So I felt able to sew my own version up. 

The heart version was sewn up in early February, and the fabric came from 1stforfabrics, from whom I purchased a few different metres, both plain and patterned, and was very pleased to receive a Gutterman thread and set of jersey needles alongside my package. I currently have my eye on a few more fabrics from this company, but I’m trying to be restrained and shop my stash, as much as possible. This rather lovely Stof of Denmark fabric was £12.95pm, and again I successfully made my top from 1m which seems very good value. 

Finally, during February half term, I finished sewing up my second dress version of the Freya, again using a velvet type fabric from Harrogate, but I’m fairly certain this one was from The Textile Centre. I can’t resist a cherry-blossom type print. When cutting it out, though, I neglected to leave adequate fabric for the pattern piece for the  cowl neck, so I just ended up trimming down the length, or the drape. I think it turned out OK. This fabric is more stable than that which I used to make the other dress version, but it’s equally soft and shiny. I really like the Japanese-style cherry blossom and girly pink colour scheme. I haven’t yet hemmed this version but I’m hoping to get a lot more wear out out of this before the weather warms up. This dress will also be my entry for #SewingFloralFebruary. 

It’s so great to see how the Freya can look so different depending on the fabric, and also how it can be layered for warmth as well as worn alone; with either skirts or trousers. I even wore one of my versions to a pilates class: it coped well with the stretches and strain. It’s such a wearable, versatile pattern,and if there are any gaps left in my wardrobe there is surely room for some plain, classic Freyas. Particularly once I get started with the Ness – now high up on my  list. 

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