YAY I’m so glad I finally get to share this secret with y’all – Coco!
For those of you living under a rock (a… really big rock, I’d assume), Coco is Tilly‘s newest pattern, just released last week! Tilly asked me a few months ago if I’d like to test the pattern, and as soon as I saw the word “knit” in the description, I immediately jumped at the chance. I can’t resist knits, I’m sorry!
Coco is a lovely, simple shape reminiscent of those gorgeous Brenton tops that everyone except me seems to own. Sewn up in a more stable knit (I love my slinky jerseys, but this pattern is not really the place for that… although I will probably experiment with that shit in the future anyway!), it’s very easy to assemble and very forgiving to fit, making it perfect for beginners to tackle. I made the short length with 3/4 sleeves and a funnel neck; there are three views included in the pattern (that you can mix and match for endless variations) – you can see them all in more detail on Tilly’s blog.
For my fabric, I used a heather grey ponte knit from Mood Fabrics. I sewed the entire thing on my serger, although you can absolutely sew this on a regular machine if need be – the pattern even includes some instructions and tips if that’s the case for you! I made no alterations to the pattern itself; just sewed it up in a straight size 1 and followed the instructions to assemble! I used a straight stitch to sew the side slits and the hem, which have held up quite well, despite all the washing and wearing I’ve given this top. This is also the first thing I made using my new gravity feed iron, and WOW you guys – that hem pressed like a dream!
I’ll admit; when I was sewing this up, I was a little afraid it looked a bit Star Trek-y for my tastes, with the solid color and the big funnel collar. I think the end result turned out really cute, though, and it’s sooo comfortable to wear with leggings. I’m wearing this one with my red ponte leggings; it’s like a ponte double-whammy up in hurr, yeah!
Also, check out that throwback hair! You can tell how old these pictures are, ha 😉
I think this would be REALLY cute up in a stripey fabric (which I looked for, but no dice. Whyyy is a good stripey knit so hard to find, anyway??). I’d love to try the variation with the boat neckline and keep the little side slits – maybe even go with the longer length. It’s a simple shape for sure, but it’s also open to LOTS of possibilities!
What do you think? Love Coco or LOVE Coco? Get your copy here!
LLADYBIRD 
Love it! Your version reminds me of Holly Golightly’s with the slim black trousers and those ridic pigtails… I always loved that outfit.
OMG, YES!!!!
Love it! A workhorse staple for anybody’s wardrobe.
I love it! I haven’t considered the pattern. Wait, wait was this taken before or after you bleached your hair?
It was taken quite a bit before… NYE 2013, to be exact 🙂
I’m getting DIZZY from the speed of projects coming out of your sewing room! What a great looking garment!
Its a very nice pattern, if it wasn’t for the expensive shipping (I dislike PDFs) I would buy it in an instant. I have a fitting question. I notice in your pictures there are some creases around the front armhole. I’m having that exact same thing right now with the renfrew, and I can’t figure out what I need to do to get rid of it? Or can I get rid of it? Is that just how tops are?
I think it’s that the bust isn’t high enough. On my renfrews, the distance between armpit and bust is just a tad too long for my proportions, so I had to pinch out a teensy bit of length at that part, even though I had to lenghten the shirt further down on the pattern. HTH, even though I’m obvs not Lauren, ha!
I’ve got that on my Renfrews. I *think* it’s because the shoulder and armscye are a bit small. (The shoulder point is a bit far in too.) So I’m planning to test what will happen if I grade up a size only in that area.
This might be a different problem however, because it looks here like it might be a looseness wrinkle rather than a tightness wrinkle.
I actually didn’t notice the wrinkles until they were pointed out, and I’ve been informed that they are likely due to the sleeve cap not having enough ease. OR it could be because the bust isn’t high enough, as also mentioned! I think a few “wearing wrinkles” are fine in knits, but a twisty sleeve is definitely something that can be fixed.
First of all: I love the way your hair turned out! It’s such a gorgeous color!!!
I just ordered the Coco pattern to make my daughter a striped Breton dress. I got the fabric from Girl Charlee because I liked the stripe and it’s a ponte knit. It’s not completely cotton but it’s a step up from Forever 21 (her go to shop, arrggghhh). I also got her a black with light gray polka dots to make the funnel neck version. Supposedly, the knits are pretty stable but we’ll see.
I love a good funnel neck — I think it’s really flattering. I don’t see Star Trek when I look at you, not to worry!
Oops, that’s actually not my current hair 🙂 That picture was taken pre-bleach!
What a dope (I am). I thought that you said the bleach was an interim step so of course I thought….:)
haha no worries 🙂 I don’t expect y’all to keep up to date with my current half colors 🙂 fwiw tho, yeah, it’s still orange as of right now 🙂
I love this! Pity I have to wait to have my baby before I can make it! I want one so badly. The colour of your is lovely! No Star Trek for me either! 🙂
Mine is in the post! I’m salivating here waiting for it!
Still doing the ombre on your hair?
Yes, these pictures are just pre-bleach 🙂
Fabric Fairy and Girl Charlee often have nice looking striped knits (usually interlock or jersey). NAYY, although I’ve shopped with both previously.
Yaya I love yours! I’m excited to try this pattern, but I’m afraid of sewing knits still. I think I’m going to have to hire you to give me a knits sewing lesson 😉
Yeeeah let’s do it! 😀
Yes! Maybe we can do a Skype tutorial or something. I have specific questions that I’d love you to answer, it would save me the time of having to do research. Also, I need to talk to you about dates to visit this spring if you’ll have me over again.
I’m down! Just lemme know and we’ll work it out 🙂 Happy to answer any questions you have! AND YES, you are more than welcome to come visit again this spring! That would be awesome!!!
I just bought the pattern so it’s great to see versions popping up on the net for inspiration. Yours is so pretty, that grey ponte is going to match with so many garments.
I don’t have a serger but hopefully it will be easy with Tilly’s instructions.
I didn’t think “Star Trek” at all until you mentioned it. Now, I can’t unsee it.
Looks great .on you
This is a total love! And you made the version I liked the best. As Tilly said, total Audrey Hepburn.
I like her new pattern, the funnel neck and dress length would be my fave. And, never too Star Trek…..Never.
DAMMIT WOMAN I just told myself I was going on a pattern buying moratorium and then I ran out and bought this pattern because I have perfect stripey double knit to make this out of. I blame you! 🙂
Been a lurker on your blog for a while now, I think this is my first comment, but you NEED to know this is my favorite sewing blog. Your particular brand of sass is amazeballs and your sewing style is right up my alley. Thanks for the inspiration!
Aw, thank you! 🙂
Super cute!
Quick question: I got the same gravity feed iron as you, but occasionally water just pours out of the bottom of it (through the soleplate). Any tips on stopping that?!
As far as I know, that really only happens if the iron doesn’t have enough time to properly heat up. Give it about 10 minutes before you use it and see if that helps!
LOVE Coco! I ordered some fabric from Girl Charlee today just so I could make this exact version! It’s too adorable!!
i don’t get Tilly’s media overkill appeal and i don’t get her patterns either. it’s twee, rehashed pseudo vintage and opportunistic at its worst.I just have to glimpse at the red lipstick, doe eye flickering, waving of hands at the sides and 10 year old pigeon toed princess poses on her blog to feel strangely irritated even though i have never met the woman Ever since i saw her on the great british sewing bee i have felt unease to see somebody with so little talent being given opportunities for no obvious reason:a book deal about how to sew when it was plain to see she was not exactly the most competent seamstress? classes teaching people sewing? you take your money and you pay your price but when i read ‘ i wanted my book to have the same look as ‘le mepris’ and they didn’t laugh at me, i can’t help but think get over yourself Tilly. it’s a dressmaking book we’re talking about here, not existentialism.
by the way i’m not anonymous i’m Nathalie
Look, I’m all for people having opinions and sharing constructive criticism here, however, I really don’t think this comment is appropriate or warranted. I’m sorry that you have a beef with Tilly, but this is not the place to drag that out.Tilly is someone I consider a friend – and like any friend, I’m not going to sit back and allow someone to trash talk her right in front of me (i.e., the comments on my blog). It’s pretty rude and uncalled for, not to mention adds nothing to the conversation. Take it to GOMI or someplace else, I don’t care, but not here.
Yes I agree no bad mouthing on blogs! Tilly is special and has a wonderfull smile She makes sewing easy for young ladies and that is her gift! I like simple classic styles no matter what the era we live in! I love my blogs that I follow cause they teach and motivate one, sewing is difficult sometimes but with a good sewing communinty one is always inspired!!!!!
i LOVE it!!! what a cute top and the variations are just great!
I have been having trouble with the wear of the pontes I have purchased due to pilling – how does this one wear from Mood? It looks great, btw and what is wrong with a little Star Trek/ Audrey mash up? NOTHING!!!
There is a nice black and white Ponte knit here. I can’t speak to the quality though.
http://www.fabricmartfabrics.com/Black-White-Horizontal-Stripes-Ponte-Knit-60W.html
This would look way cute in this top. Love yours in the gray!
I meant black and white STRIPE fabric.
For stripe knits, try http://www.marcytiltom.com. She has a lot.
Sorry, that should be http://www.marcytilton.com
Sorry for the typo, that should be http://www.marcytilton.com
Hi! I’ve besen following your website for sime time now and finally got thee couragee to go ahead and
give you a shout out from Houston Texas! Just wanted to
tell you keep up tthe excellent job!
Very cute! I love the side slits, I never would have thought to add them myself.. I’m not buying it yet, as I still have tons of new patterns I want to sew first, but after that.. Coco will be on my wish list!
Seriously – doesn’t a single person see the twisted sleeves and the pooling above the bust?
Actually, three people have mentioned it in the comments. I’m guessing you didn’t read them?
Hey, I just wanted to hope on and say
1) LOVE Coco!
2) If it wasn’t for your blog and others like it I never would have taken the plunge and started sewing–THANK YOU.
3) I’ve noticed one or two jerky posts in the comments, and I really hope that you don’t let a few Negative Nancies bug you too much.
Aw, thank you! 🙂
This is really cute! The funnel neck version of the pattern is adorable. Looks great with your red leggings!