Tilly and the Buttons Coco Top and Dress

I’ve been working on increasing my easy care, easy wear winter basics

I made up these 2 Tilly and the Button Cocos in a size 3 in accordance with my measurements.

I’ve made them before but making something again a couple of years later has allowed me to tweak the fit although these issues were something I didn’t even see the first time aroundI’ve taken out some of he flare at the hip and removed a wedge causing some bulging at the front of the arm syce, adding it into the back and moving the shoulder seam half an inch forward. All forward shoulder issues.

To make them a bit special I finished off the neckline with tape.And added tape reinforced slits to the side hems.

Further details on my blog post here.https://lovelucie.org/2020/10/14/wfh-cocos/

I love a Coco top.  I have made three and they are all slightly different.  One is a dressy top I can wear to work with a ruffle sleeve hack, one is a funnel neck sweatshirt for when its cold outside, and the third is a standard top which can be dressed up or down.  It's so versatile!

Like all the Tilly and the Buttons patterns, the instructions are very clear, and I get such a feeling of satisfaction from successfully matching all the notches as I go.

I had this pattern in my stash for over a year before I made it, and have no idea what I was waiting for.  Its a great pattern - go on, make it!

More details on my blog: https://sewminigems.wordpress.com/2020/02/16/a-coco-addiction/

This is a great pattern for those who are new to sewing with knits or more experienced sewists who want really good 'every day basics' for their wardrobe.

I used some fun striped looped back jersey from Sew Me Sunshine for my dress. This colourway is no longer in stock, but Harriet has a beautiful blue version that is still available at the time of writing.

As we all expect from Tilly and the Buttons - the Coco instructions are flawless; clear, easy to follow, well written and well illustrated. You cannot really go wrong!

I made the size 3, which is my standard Tilly size and has fit me well in all 20 of her patterns that I have tried! I didn't need to make any alterations.

I have made the Coco top and dress how and love both of the finished garments. They are worn regularly and if you choose good quality fabrics, they could be real wardrobe workhorse for you too. I'll definitely use the pattern again next time I'm tempted to buy some jersey!

My first Coco! I suspect I'll be making many more variations of this but this is similar to one Tilly herself has shown on the TATB blog.

The instructions are easy enough but as someone getting to grips with an overlocker for the first time I made a few mistakes along the way. In terms of fit I knew I would want to make the dress more clingy and less A line than the original pattern. In the end though I made it a bit too tight and I cut off the lower skirt part and it now a very comfy and wearable top!

However, I've got enough fabric to make a looser version of the dress and I've hopefully learnt from some of my mistakes to get a better fit. I'm going to make it exactly the same but have cut out cuffs in the same red Ponte fabric as the yoke. The stripy fabric is a really lovely navy blue and cream Breton, which is rather thick and heavy weight, making it a good choice for springtime, and nicely matched with a denim jacket.

I've put in that it took me all day to make but that's me as a beginner. I've seen people do it online in an hour (after cutting out the fabric, which takes me forever as well!).

Tilly’s patterns are lovely but not generally my style. However, seeing their specially made knit fabric on instagram, and getting to feel it’s insane softness it at GBSB Live, I couldn’t resist buying some to run up a Coco. I love the classic elegance of a Breton tee, and the top version of Coco would definitely do the job. I decided to forego the pocket, as for me it’s a bit of unnecessary, difficult sewing for no practical gain.

I quickly set to sewing after Boxing Day, and was able to run myself up a Coco top in a couple of hours. It really is a quick and easy sew, and the pattern and instructions were great. Indie patterns have the monopoly over the big four here – photo patterns are so much easier to follow.

As someone who only recently acquired an overlocker, it was pleasing to see the instructions were written for sewing the garment on a regular machine. However, as a new overlocker user it would have been good to have some notes on the pattern to help with this. Sew Over It do this well, suggesting either overlocking or using a zig zag stitch to prepare pieces at certain points. I made the mistake of overlocking some of the seams together after sewing, which made them a tad bulky. Next time I’ll just prep the pieces by overlocking them before I sew.
The only challenges for me as a sewist were pattern matching the stripes,and sewing the hem. The former I managed well at the side seams and on one of the sleeves, but the latter was stretched a little. I still have some upskilling to do when it comes to sewing knits. But it’s a journey and at least I’m headed in the right direction!

I made a size 2 and I really like the fit – it has a fair amount of ease, but I think that gives it a nice relaxed fit and feel. The day after I made it I wore it shopping for new jeans, as I couldn’t wait to wear it and suspected it might become my go to weekend look.

However, I made a bit of an error. I don’t generally pre-wash fabric (I know, I know) and when I washed it…it shrank a little. Not by any means disastrously – it’s just more tight fitting now which is fine, and I preferred the more relaxed fit. Thank the sewing gods it is still wearable, and lesson learnt.

I will definitely make the Coco top again. I don’t sew a lot of basics, and this is a really nice elegant one,that’s a sinch to sew. Also, one of my sewing buddies Emma wore the dress version to our latest sewing day and it looked totally different in a thinner knit with a belt. I’m definitely tempted to make a similar dress version. Emma advised making the dress version a size smaller to get a better fit, and I think she’s spot on – then, it will fit more snuggly like my shrunken version of the top!