Finished: Beachy Tunic From July '09 BWOF

BWOF 07/09 #125 tunic

[With credit to Deepika and PatternReview for developing the format, I am being lazy and borrowing my review of this tunic I just wrote for PR.]

Pattern Description: "Purism meets opulence. The cut of this tunic is so simple that neckline and slit can tolerate a border of big, contrasting faux gemstones and beads. White trousers/pants complete the elegant look."

Pattern Sizing: I cut a 42. With BWOF's minimal ease, this fits me snugly across the upper chest. But then the midsection was HUGE on me and I looked like I was six months pregnant, so I probably ended up with a 38 in the middle after taking the front seams in.

Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it? Basically yes, though I did not go the sew-on jewel route for a couple of reasons. A, I was using a print and jewels wouldn't pop as much as on a solid; and B) sew-on jewels are EXPENSIVE! You know I have easy access to NYC's garment district and I search for inexpensive sew-on jewels there all this time. You can find some but they are either costly or look cheap and don't come in many colors. To sew on jewels similar to the ones BWOF shows, expect to pay $35 to $50 for the jewels. If anyone has a source for inexpensive sew-on jewels I'm not aware of, do tell!

Were the instructions easy to follow? Typical hard-to-understand BWOF directions. Here's what ya gotta do: Sew the darts. Sew the side panels to the front and back. Construct the combo facing (all-in-one arm and neck facing) and interface as needed. Get out your Reader's Digest New Complete Guide to Sewing or other sewing reference and follow those directions for attaching a combo facing and sewing the shoulder seams. Sew the hem. Attach any trim or embellishments by hand or machine.

Fabric Used: A poly woven with a cottony hand from Paron's Annex. I was attracted to this print because it seemed very beachy to me.

Pattern Alterations or any design changes you made: None, other than taking in the front seams about an inch through the midsection, as mentioned above. Instead of jewels, I used some jute-colored trim I bought at M&J Trims to adorn the neckline slit (attached by hand).

Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others? I could see making this again next year, as another tunic or a longer beach coverup. It's actually pretty easy to make.

DD's comment on seeing me model the completed tunic: "Very Lilly Pulitzer, Mom."

I would have made this photo larger but I detest the way my eyes look like slits here. Five years ago my optometrist judiciously told me to start saving up for plastic surgery because I had inherited the type of eye lids that droop over the eye with aging (example: Joe Biden). Waah, he was right! Hmm, college tuition or plastic surgery?

Here's a detail shot of the trim I used in the front. I like the color combo of ocean blue and sand—reminds me of rich people's beach houses.

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Have a great weekend everyone! I'll be back next week blogging about who knows what and giving away some more nifty stuff.….