Alice-May’s Erin pattern review

Alice-May from The Stitch Edit shares her thoughts on the Erin dungarees and what its like to be a pattern model!

October 2021, Tilly Towers

What a surreal day! I, a children’s book editor, have been masquerading as a model for a day and oh my goodness it was fun. There were only 5 of us there – Nikki and Frances from Team Buttons, the make-up artist Laura and the photographer Jane – as it was c-restrictions. It’s a bit nerve wracking being in a professional studio and knowing that your face is going to be on patterns everywhere but they were all so lovely and encouraging. But you know what helped? The patterns are amazing! Love love love the shape of the Pearl cardigan and the Erin dungarees…? GET THEM ON MY BODY NOW! I have never been more comfortable in my life.

It’s also a little surreal that I’m sharing excerpts from my diary on the internet but hey, with a rave review like that is it any wonder that I decided I needed to make the Erin dungarees?

This pattern works in jersey and woven fabrics. The pink version I wore in the photoshoot was made in french terry (Like Sew Amazing have a cute new one here), and the mint version was washed linen (Like Sew Amazing have some here). As I wanted these to wear in spring/summer and particularly on holiday I decided to go for a viscose linen. You get the benefits of the texture and look of linen and it is quite breathable yet you have the added bonus of less pesky creasing and a drapier finish. The viscose linen I used has good body to it so it holds the shape well. It is the perfect fabric for this pattern.

As I modelled this pattern I knew the adjustments I’d need to make would be minimal. I am 5’4” and my measurements place me at a 5 hip and 4 waist. I wanted them to be reasonably fitted so I cut a size 4 with no grading. Please note if you do this make sure to check against the finished measurements that you’ll be able to get the waist over your hips. I also raised the waist by 1cm as it sits slightly too low on me. I didn’t make any adjustments to the length of the trousers.

I’ve made a lot of Tilly and the Buttons patterns and they are always reliable. As expected, the instructions were excellent. A little tip for you: if you want to check the length make up the bib and the trousers separately, then before you put the pockets on baste it together. This means you are able to check that the crotch is sitting in the right place so if you need to raise the waist you can.

I can see myself making this pattern again in jersey for winter as I’ve already worn it three times in the week since I’ve made it; once to the pub, once on a shopping day out and once working from home. I love a versatile make! When I do make it then I’d take the length I needed to out of the bib above the waist rather than at the waist as I think the proportion would work well.

This truly was a pattern and fabric match made in heaven. You need to get yourself one of these!

Note from Like Sew Amazing

The red leopard print viscose linen that Alice-May used to make her Erin’s was snapped up before she managed to write her blog post, but we still have it in the equally awesome yellow colour way and are doing our best to track down some more of the red!