I’m back with another pattern from Stretch! – the new Tilly and the Buttons book!

(Sorry if I’ve been raving on about it too much recently! I’ve just been way too excited about it!)

Today I’m showing off the Bibi skirt/ pinafore pattern!

(This is me modelling it in the book!)

The skirt is the simplest pattern in the book. It involves just 2 pattern pieces – the waistband and a skirt panel – to create a fitted midi length pencil skirt. There are add on pattern pieces included to add little waistband tabs and to hack it into a pinafore.

It recommends using ponte knits for this project which is probably the easiest type of jersey to work with so it’s great for beginners.

I’ve got 2 versions to show you today!

The first is my tester version of the skirt. I’ve used a thick and stretchy grey jersey I picked up in Paris for this one. It was super quick to make up and didn’t require any fitting. The stretch of the jersey makes it hug all the curves without trying!

The second version I made is the pinafore dress. I fell in love with the version Zeena wears in the book and I was determined to make my own!

I made mine out of a denim blue jersey I got from Walthamstow market months (maybe years?) ago. No idea why I bought it at the time but I’m glad I did because it has come in handy now!

As well as the pinafore bib and straps, I added the waistband tabs too! It’s super easy to add on these extra bits (all the instructions are in the book as well as the pattern pieces) and it looks so cute!

Word of warning – check the stretch of your fabric beforehand! The blue jersey wasn’t as stretchy as it needed to be so it’s a little difficult getting it on and off!

This pattern is great for my shape as I’ve realised over the years that fuller skirts can sometimes make my hips look bigger.

I’m thinking of trying out a mini Bibi for my next attempt at this pattern!

If you’d rather watch me talk about the book and its patterns check out my YouTube video here!