Sewing

Patterns, Techniques, Articles, Blogs, and other resources to learn how to sew

Sew the Billie Dress: A Creativebug Tutorial Review

by

So, you’re thinking about making the Billie Dress from Creativebug? I recently tried it out, and here’s my real talk review—no fluff, just the good, the bad, and whether it’s worth your time (and fabric stash).

The tutorial is taught by Liesl Gibson (yep, the genius behind Oliver + S patterns), and right away, I liked her calm, clear teaching style. No rushed steps or confusing jargon—just straightforward sewing advice. The dress itself is a casual, button-front design with a slightly loose fit, which means it’s forgiving if you’re still getting comfortable with garment-making.

What You Actually Get

  • A full video walkthrough (broken into bite-sized lessons)
  • A downloadable PDF pattern (no guessing measurements!)
  • Tips on fabric choices (she suggests linens or light cottons, which drape nicely)
  • Beginner-friendly techniques like sewing darts and button plackets (with no pressure to go fast)

The Good Stuff

 Great for nervous beginners. If zippers or fitted bodices scare you, this is a confidence-booster. The dress is simple but stylish—think “I made this!” without the stress.
 Liesl’s tricks are gold. She shows how to get clean buttonholes and neat finishes, which I’ll use in future projects.
 Versatile result. Dress it up with sandals or down with sneakers. I made mine in a breezy linen, and it’s become my go-to summer piece.

The Not-So-Good Stuff

 Requires a Creativebug subscription. Annoying? A little. But they do have a free trial, so you could binge this class (and others) before committing.
 Sizing is limited. The pattern runs XS–XL. If you’re outside that range, you’ll need to adjust it yourself (or hope Creativebug adds more sizes later).

If you’ve been itching to sew a wearable, unfussy dress, this is a fantastic pick. Liesl’s teaching makes even the trickier bits (looking at you, buttonholes) feel manageable. It’s not quite perfect (I wish sizing were more inclusive), but for the clarity and final result? Totally worth it.

Try it risk-free: Snag Creativebug’s free trial, make the dress, and see if you love it as much as I do.

Made one already? Tag me on Instagram—I’d love to see your version! 

Have you read?

My Great Fabric Flea Market Experiment – Should You Sell Your Fabric Stash?

You know that moment when you open your fabric cupboard and it groans at you? Yeah. That was me last month. After years of cheerful hoarding (“Ooh, this linen will be perfect for… something!”), I’d reached critical mass. My stash had officially become a fire hazard and my husband said no more fabric. 

So I did something radical: I loaded up my car with unloved fabric and took it to the local flea market. No fancy booth, no display—just me, my boot (trunk for my US friends), and a handwritten sign that said “FABRIC – MAKE ME AN OFFER.”

What followed was equal parts hilarious, heartwarming, and mildly chaotic.

The Good, The Bad & The “Wait, What?” Moments

The Bargain Hunters

Within minutes, a woman in a neon pink sunhat descended on my car like a fabric-hungry hawk.

Her: “Is this silk?” (Holding up very obviously cheap polyester)
Me: “Uh… no?”
Her: “I’ll give you 50p.”
Me: “Sold.”

Turns out she makes carnival costumes and needed “anything shiny.” Godspeed, glitter queen.

The Emotional Connection

One lady nearly teared up over a scrap of 90s Laura Ashley floral.

Her: “My mum made my wedding dress from this exact print!”
Me: “Take it. It’s yours.”
Her: “But I don’t even sew!”
Me: “Then frame it and yell at it occasionally like it’s your mother-in-law.”

She left cackling. Mission accomplished.

The Unexpected Haggler

A very serious 8-year-old approached with a £1 coin and the negotiating skills of a Wall Street broker.

Him: “I need fabric for my guinea pig’s birthday party.”
Me: “That’s… specific.”
Him: “He likes blue.”

Obviously I gave him ALL my blue scraps plus a ribbon for the guest of honor. Best sale of the day.

The Surprising Joy of Letting Go

Here’s what shocked me: I didn’t miss a single piece. Not the “I might use this” chiffon. Not the “too nice to cut” Japanese cotton. Watching people light up as they found their perfect project fabric? That was the real dopamine hit.

  • The quilting club ladies who squabbled over my batiks like seagulls over chips
  • The art student thrilled to find cheap muslin for her sculpture project
  • The retired tailor who tutted at my folding skills but bought 5m of wool “for teaching the grandkids”

Every piece went to someone who’d actually use it—no more guilt-tripping me from the depths of my stash cupboard.

 

What I Learned (So You Can Do It Too)

  1. Price Everything at “Please Just Take It” Levels
    • My pricing strategy: “Would I rather have £3 or closet space?”
  2. Embrace the Chaos
    • Let people rummage. Half the fun was watching two strangers bond over the same floral cotton.
  3. Bring Backup
    • Shoutout to my friend who brought a flask of tea and periodically hissed “That’s vintage, charge more!” like my fabric pimp.
  4. Take Pictures
    • For every sad “I never used this” moment, I got three “look how happy this makes someone” moments. Worth it.

The Aftermath

My car is lighter. My sewing room breathes easier. And somewhere out there, a guinea pig is living his best blue-fabric-life.

Will I stop buying fabric altogether? Don’t be ridiculous. But now I ask: “Will I love this enough to keep it forever, or is this a future flea market treasure for someone else?”

Your Turn:

  • Could you sell your stash, or does the thought make you hyperventilate?
  • What’s the weirdest fabric purchase you’ve ever made? (I once bought 10m of glow-in-the-dark satin. Why? No one knows.)
  • Should I make this a yearly tradition?

Spill your stash confessions below – and if you’re local, watch out for my boot sale sequel: “Notions I Bought For Hypothetical Projects” coming this autumn…

(P.S. For those asking – yes, the guinea pig’s party was a success. He wore the ribbon as a cape.)