If you follow me on Instagram, you may have noticed that I have a teensy obsession with the Tilly and the Buttons Freya top/dress pattern. It was the pattern that got me over my (misplaced) fear of sewing stretchy fabrics and has become a wardrobe staple. As I keep losing track of how many I've made, I thought I'd share a little run down of all the versions I've made so far...

March 2018

Fabric: Textured jersey from Sew Me Sunshine (no longer available)

1. The one that kickstarted the obsession! I still love this one, although I didn't know anything about stretch percentage when I made it and it's REALLY hard to get over my head. I'm thinking of removing the turtleneck and giving it slash neck as I worry I'll get stuck in it one day!

Fabric: Stripe jersey from The Cambridge Fabric Company (no longer available)
Trousers: Details here
Headband: Adornments By Rosheen

2. My first top version: I still wear this one loads despite the slightly dodgy stitching on the neckline!

April 2018

Fabric: Cotton & Steel floral jersey from Sew Me Sunshine (no longer available)

3. I made this one to wear to the Tilly and the Buttons pop up shop, and Harriet made a twinning Joni dress. This is one of my most worn dresses although I've since removed the turtleneck and added a neckband:

Fabric: Blue glitter stripe jersey from Tilly and the Buttons pop up fabric shop
Pin: Available here
Skirt: Selkie Patterns "London", fabric from Sew Me Sunshine (no longer available)

4. I made this with the fabric I picked up at the pop up shop but unfortunately I misjudged the right and wrong sides and it was CRAZY itchy to wear!

Fabric: Rainbow jersey from Sew Me Sunshine (no longer available)

5. I made this version to wear to the In Colourful Company Brighton Colour Walk. I used the collar and placket from the I Am Chouette pattern and Harriet used the same fabric to make a Tilly and the Buttons Agnes dress hack.

May 2018

Fabric: Ribbed stripe jersey from Sew Me Sunshine (no longer available)

6. The one that got away: I absolutely adored this fabric but had never sewn with ribbed jersey and stretched it out so much that it was completely unwearable and I didn't even take a photo. Conveniently, my pal Wendy made one in the exact same fabric, so you can see what could have been. Apparently you can stabilise the seams with clear elastic to prevent them stretching out, but I haven't touched ribbed jersey since!

August 2018

Fabric: Pink glitter stripe jersey from Sew Me Sunshine (no longer available) - are you seeing a theme here?
Holding: I Am Joy pattern

7. My first attempt at a crew neck version: I had no idea how to add a neckband and did a facing and topstitched it! Sounds bizarre but it kinda worked and gives a neat, albeit bulky, finish.

Fabric: White cotton jersey from Sew Me Sunshine
Trousers: CocoWawa Cherry culottes, crepe from Sew Me Sunshine (no longer available)

October 2018

8. I made this white ruffled version at the Sewing Weekender 2018, but later removed the ruffle...and then decided white wasn't for me anyway!

Fabric: Pink cotton jersey from Like Sew Amazing
Trousers: Joanie Clothing
Bag: Yoshi (no longer available)
Brogues: Snow Paw (gifted January 2018)

9. Another favourite: this baby pink one goes with everything and I love layering it up:

Dress: Grainline Studio Farrow dress, leopard crepe from Stoff & Stil via the Sewing Weekender goodie bags
Necklace: Sew Dainty

November 2018

Fabric: Red velour from Sew Me Sunshine (no longer available - similar available here)
Collar: Ebay

10. This version was inspired by the one that Sabrina wears in The Chilling Adventures of Sabrina. I turned the neckline over and top-stitched and added a crochet collar. I love how this looks but I really hate the feel of velvet so this one hasn't had much wear!

December 2018

Fabric: Glitter stripe jersey from Sew Me Sunshine (no longer available)
Skirt: Selkie Patterns "London", fabric from Sew Me Sunshine (this colour is sold out but alternatives available here)
Shoes: Orla Kiely x Clarks via Clarks Outlet (no longer available)

11. I made this one for the New Craft House "All That Glitters" Christmas party. I bought the top and skirt fabrics at different times but when I saw that the peach stripe PERFECTLY matched the colour of the skirt, I knew I had to wear them together!

March 2019

Fabric: Sparkle spot jersey Sew Me Sunshine (no longer available)
Hair clip: Inky and Mole

12. I decided to combine my two favourite top patterns: Freya + Mandy = Frandy! I used the neckline of the Mandy Boat Tee by Tessuti (free download) to create a more summery version. This one is repurposed from a Colette Moneta dress I never wore.

Fabric: Glitter stripe jersey from Sew Me Sunshine (no longer available)
Skirt: Selkie Patterns "London", fabric from Sew Me Sunshine (this colour is sold out but alternatives available here)

13. I had enough fabric left over from version 11 to make another Frandy! Yep, I'm wearing it with that skirt again - they just go SO WELL.

August 2019

Fabric: Red stripe jersey from Sew Me Sunshine
Skirt: Burda 6319, tencel chambray from Escape and Create (no longer available - similar available here)

14. The Frandy obsession continues! I made this one for the New Craft House "Italian Riviera" summer party and it's one of my favourites! I added one of my "contains cat hair" labels to the sleeve:

Labels available here

Fabric: My pal Mel's leftovers!
Skirt: Burda 6319, tencel chambray from Escape and Create (no longer available - similar available here)
Headband: Adornments By Rosheen

15. Time for another Frankenpattern! This time I used the neckline of the Patterns for Pirates Wiggle Dress: I call it The Friggle! I made this one at the Sewing Weekender 2019 and Patsy took these lovely photos in the college gardens. I particularly love the low scoop back:

October 2019

Fabric: Black cotton jersey from Escape and Create (no longer available)
Headband: Adornments By Rosheen

16. I'm not sure I'm ever going to top this one, am I? This idea had been flying (get it?) around in my head since last Halloween and I still can't believe it worked out exactly as I'd imagined! I extended the sleeve pieces to incorporate a wing shape, and sewed them into the side seams.

Fabric: Cat jersey from Like Sew Amazing (sold out, but she has some great alternatives here)
Headband: Adornments By Rosheen

17. I started this one at the Sewing Weekender 2019 but only finished it in October! My first neckband was a complete disaster and I ended up having to cut it out, so the neck is a little lower than I'd usually go for but it's nice to mix things up. Yep, making the same pattern 18 times is "mixing things up". Some of my other versions were feeling a little tight so I sewed this with smaller side seams which seemed to do the trick!

November 2019

Fabric: Daisy jersey from 1st for Fabrics
Headband: We Are Knitters Blueberry Muffin Snood and Headband
Bag: Yoshi (no longer available but similar here)
Tights: FatFace
Boots: Joules (few years old but similar available here)

18. I ordered this fabric approximately five seconds after seeing this photo as it's basically my dream fabric! I wanted some long-sleeved Freyas to keep me warm at work and loved the Autumnal colours of this jersey.

If you've made it this far: CONGRATULATIONS and thank you for reading! All links are correct at time of posting and are not affiliate links. I'm not cool enough for that. I don't currently have any more Freya plans in the pipeline but I'm sure there will be many more. You can keep up to date by following #JoyLovesAFreya on Instagram!

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