Looking for the perfect end-of-term gift for a teacher, teaching assistant, or tutor? In this video, I make something handmade, practical and personal – a lovely thank you they’ll use every day. I’ve chosen a fun yellow pencil print for the outer fabric and used a plain fabric from my stash for the lining. I also share a few coordinating fabric ideas that would work beautifully for this project – including some classic William Morris prints. The pencil case is finished off with a custom embroidered name using the Janome AcuSketch app. It’s my first go with the app, so I didn’t film that part this time – but watch this space for more embroidery projects soon! 📌 Skip ahead using the chapters below: 00:05 – Intro 00:45 – Fabric choices (Looking Sharp, William Morris options, plains) 03:01 – Adding embroidery with Janome AcuSketch 03:26 – Finished size and examples 04:15 – Cutting and measurements 05:27 – Zip ends (and why I did them anyway!) 06:12 – Inserting the zip 07:12 – Adding the lining 08:43 – Stitching the case together 09:40 – Box pleats 11:56 – Option 1 finished 12:51 – Top box pleat 15:57 – Binding raw edges 17:25 – Finished close-up 18:06 – Outro 🧵 Let me know if you give this a go – or who you’d make it for!

Come and fall in love with shirring with me! 💕 I’ve finally finished my cherry viscose Mabel Top, which I originally planned for the #SewFruity25 challenge — but a broken sewing machine meant I missed reveal day. I didn’t want the fabric to go to waste though, so here it is, along with a pair of matching Tilly and the Buttons Thea Shorts! In this video, I take you through some of my other Mabel makes, talk about what I love about this pattern, and then share my step-by-step tips for shirring success — especially useful if you're working with floaty fabrics like viscose. Whether you’re just getting started with shirring or looking for a refresher, I hope this gives you some inspiration and confidence to give it a try. 👇 Timestamps: 00:49 – Mabel Top in Lewis and Irene The Dreamer cotton 00:56 – Mabel in mid-length dress – Indian Summer Love Bird cotton 01:20 – Mabel short dress – pink Hummingbird cotton 01:33 – Mabel long dress – Folk Floral print 01:54 – Self-drafted strappy dress – Kindred Sketches cotton 02:10 – Polka dot two-piece dress with shirring panel 04:05 – #SewFruity25 vlog intro 04:35 – Cherry viscose fabric 05:00 – Tilly and the Buttons Thea Shorts 05:51 – Pink denim mention 06:37 – Marking shirring lines 09:25 – Shirring elastic 10:10 – Winding shirring elastic 11:27 – Threading the elastic 12:22 – Choosing stitch length 13:25 – Chain stitching tip 16:40 – Finished shirring panel 17:10 – Pressing the shirring 18:10 – Finished Mabel top 18:40 – Shirring top tips recap 19:55 – Outro ✨ Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more sewing tutorials, inspiration, and fabric fun. I’d love to hear if you’ve tried shirring or if the Mabel is on your to-sew list!

Sewing with viscose? I've got you covered! In this video, I’m sharing some of the latest gorgeous fabrics from Crafty Pie (Brogan) along with my top sewing pattern suggestions to show them off. Expect gingham, florals, retro vibes, and plenty of viscose sewing inspiration! 💫 🧵 TIMESTAMPS: 00:00 - Viscose Sewing Inspo Introduction 01:02 - Rainbow Gingham Fabric 02:42 - Orange & Pink Gingham 03:56 - Retro Orange Jersey 04:16 - Agnes Top by Tilly and the Buttons 04:47 - Lyra Dress by Tilly and the Buttons 05:04 - Blue & Lilac Cotton Viscose Blend 05:13 - Hope Dress by Style Arc 05:57 - Gingham Fabric Close-Up 06:41 - McCall's M7948 Pattern 07:14 - Mabel Dress by Tilly and the Buttons (Red Gingham!) 09:04 - Green Floral Delight Fabric 10:38 - Patchwork Skirt from the Sew Fruity Challenge [Watch that video here: INSERT LINK] 10:56 - Cherry Print Fabric 11:19 - Strawberry Print Fabric 11:50 - Clarke Top by Seamwork 12:06 - Marnie Blouse by Tilly and the Buttons ✨ Looking for viscose fabrics? Check out my shop: www.thefabricsquirrel.com/shop and https://thefabricsquirrel.etsy.com

It’s Day 18 of the #SEWFRUITY25 challenge! In this video, I’m showing you how to sew a patchwork two-tiered skirt using fat quarters from the upcoming Mediterranean Medley fabric collection (coming out this summer!). 🍑🍋 Some of the prints feature fruity favourites like peaches and lemons – perfect for this fun, summery challenge hosted by Yvette from @blossomsandwich (who also runs @stash_hub) This is a zero waste project – every scrap of fabric is used! The skirt is made entirely from fat quarters, so it’s great for stash-busting, gift-making, or using those fabrics you’ve been saving for something special. ✂️ Includes: ✅ Full step-by-step tutorial ✅ Suitable for confident beginners ✅ No fabric waste ✅ Patchwork layout ideas Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and tag me if you give this skirt a go – I’d love to see your fruity makes!

Here’s my full Me Made May 2025 round-up! This month, I wore: 👗 11 dresses (including one brand new!) 👚 12 tops (3 newly made, and 1 re-loved!) 🩳 4 skirts (1 new), 1 pair of shorts, and 3 pairs of trousers (1 new) It’s been a great way to rediscover old favourites, try out new patterns, and reflect on how far my handmade wardrobe has come. Whether you're here for sewing pattern inspiration or curious about how I style my me-mades day to day, I hope you enjoy this look back at the month! ✨ Timestamps: 2:21 – Wrap Dress in William Morris Viscose 3:30 – Tilly and The Buttons Seren Dress (hacked to a skirt) 3:49 – Wrap Dress in Stretch Viscose 4:55 – McCalls M8312 in Viscose Twill 5:02 – Re-loved Top (short transformation video on my grid!) 9:39 – Connie V Neck (Tiana's Closet) in Broderie Anglaise & Emerson Pants in Cotton Sateen 12:18 – Ethel Top (Tiana’s Closet) in Double Gauze 14:15 – Wildergown (Friday Pattern Co) in Cotton Viscose Crafts of Tranquility 15:34 – Tilly and the Buttons Lyra with Hack 18:41 – Patchwork Skirt (Self-Drafted) in Mediterranean Medley (fabric coming soon!) 💬 Let me know which outfit was your favourite! 👍 Like & subscribe for more handmade wardrobe videos, fabric inspiration, and sewing tutorials. #MeMadeMay2025 #HandmadeWardrobe #SewingVlog #TillyAndTheButtons #FridayPatternCompany #SewingInspiration #DIYFashion #SlowFashion

Part of my me made May pledge was to relove some me made in my wardrobe and this dress was on my hit list. It was one of the first few fabrics to arrive in my sewing room when I had just one small IKEA shelving unit. Every metre of fabric was so precious back then that I think I was a bit stingy with the skirt. Don't get me wrong, fabric is still very precious which is why I have held onto this dress without wearing it for so long! But I look at it a bit differently now. There is no point making compromises that compromise how much you like your finished dress. The skirt on the dress was just too narrow and the waistband was too high but I thought it might work as a top. I chopped it at the waist, made two 3" wide strips for a ruffle which I gathered and then moved the bottom of the dress up so I could use the original hem. I am so pleased with this transformation! It's going to get so much more wear out of it. Have you ever transformed a me made that didn't quite go to plan?

If you’re looking for fabric and sewing pattern ideas for summer tops, this is the video for you! I’m sharing my current favourites, from classic camis to frilly blouses, with fabrics to match—including jacquards, double gauze, and juicy fruit prints 🍑 I also tried the Magic Mock Up feature on @stash_hub, which is brilliant for visualising how a fabric might look made up in a garment. Let me know what you think! Plus, I chat about the fun #SewFruity25 challenge from @blossomsandwich, and share a few fruity fabrics that would be perfect if you’re taking part 🍒 Shop the fabrics here if you are in the UK: https://www.thefabricsquirrel.com/jersey Shop the fabrics here for ROW: https://thefabricsquirrel.etsy.com 🧵 Timestamps: 0:54 McCall’s M8254 1:33 Cotton Jacquard Fabric 2:04 Sateen Jacquard Orange Leopard Print 2:33 Green Viscose Stripe 2:47 Ogden Cami from True Bias 3:30 Gingham Seersucker 4:34 Yellow Gingham 4:50 Green and Pink Gingham 4:58 Pink, Yellow, Blue Gingham 5:16 Cherry Viscose 5:43 Marnie from Tilly and the Buttons 7:16 Broderie Anglaise Double Gauze 7:40 Connie Top from Tiana's Closet 7:40 Broderie Anglaise Blue & Lime 8:23 Double Gauze Blue & Lilac 8:52 Baslie Flutter Top from Tiana's Closet 9:24 Bloom Blouse from Seamwork ✨ Let me know which fabric and pattern pairing is your favourite—and if you’ve used Magic Mock Up yet!

It’s Week 3 of Me Made May and I’ve got six handmade outfits to share – I was a bit under the weather one day, so I missed a video say but it was a repeat wear anyway! The weather's been all over the place too – cold mornings and warm afternoons – so some layering outside of the video has definitely come into play. Here’s what I wore this week and what each outfit was made from… ✨ Timestamps & Outfits: 0:05 – Day 15: Tilly and the Buttons Nell in Liberty quilting cotton 2:38 – Day 16: Self-drafted skirt in Spider-Man quilting cotton, paired with a Tilly and the Buttons Agnes top in plain black jersey 4:03 – Day 17: Tilly and the Buttons Marnie in Simplicity quilting cotton 5:53 – Day 18: Tilly and the Buttons Thea Trousers in polka dot dressmaking cotton, with the same Agnes top in black jersey 7:40 – Day 19: Love Sewing Issue #102 – 2-in-1 gathered dress in a cheerful holiday print 9:20 – Day 20: McCalls M8256 in green cotton jacquard (deadstock) Similar fabric available here 🧵 Let me know your favourite look from this week in the comments – and how you’re managing outfit planning if your weather’s been as changeable as mine! 🧷 Don’t forget to subscribe for more Me Made May roundups, fabric inspiration, and behind-the-scenes sewing from my studio.