The Story Behind the Bilberry Top

The process of creating this pattern has been a long journey. It has felt like a marathon, and I’m so grateful to finally be at the finish line. So, let’s go back to the beginning!

D-cup

This pattern started as a school project. In the fall of 2021, I took a distance course in the 3D garment visualization software CLO3D. It’s a fantastic tool for pattern makers, designers, and print designers to create and visualize garments or products in 3D. You can fit your garment on an avatar as you draft your pattern and try it out in different fabric types. I definitely recommend learning it if you work in the clothing industry!

The collection - which one should be my next pattern?

For the final project, we were asked to create a small collection of our choice. I decided to make a test collection of garments I was considering turning into PDF patterns, to see which ones resonated most with my audience. I made a total of eight garments, and the Bilberry Top was one of them. Funny thing is, I almost didn’t include it because I wasn’t completely happy with the final photos—but I submitted it anyway. And after a vote on Instagram and Facebook, this top was the clear winner!

Clo version of Bilberry

That was in March 2022—over three years ago. A lot has happened since then! Johanna from The Last Stitch and I wrote our book Fit for Knits, and we also started a podcast together. My family and I moved into a new house (which we built—well, not by ourselves of course…) and began creating a garden. I took a sabbatical year from freelancing to study to become a construction worker, then returned to pattern making full time. Oh, and somewhere along the way, I released my free Malva Tee PDF pattern and created the Nepeta Dress for Tauko Magazine.

A4/Letter size file of the D-cup pattern

So, finishing the Bilberry Top pattern has always been on my to-do list—but never at the top. That’s why it’s taken so long. But now it’s finally here—and it’s done!!

Why the name Bilberry? Well, here in Sweden, we love going into the forest to pick bilberries. I always want nature-themed names that resonate with me—and this one felt just right.