Here's another way my daughter Annie and I are very different from each other: I'd prefer to spend my summers by a peaceful lake; she rather be sitting on a beach any day. Annie's love of the ocean is completely evident in this tunic she asked me to sew for her. She picked out the cotton print (from Elliott Berman Textiles in NYC) and chose the tunic pattern. It's
spring break for her college now and Annie is visiting a friend in Florida, so chances are good this tunic has already been worn.
At any rate, this pattern is two years old and there are plenty of reviews about it already. I liked everything about it and thought the directions were clear enough for an advanced beginner. The only thing I'd recommend watching out for is the
ease in the sleeve caps. I thought there was too much, resulting in puffiness rather than a smooth sleeve, so I had to finesse this a bit. Baste first and try on and adjust as necessary before you stitch the sleeve to the bodice.
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| I made a muslin that Annie tried on when I saw her in Baltimore recently. It fit perfectly with no adjustments needed…the benefit of sewing a boxy tunic. |
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| The placket is made from some cotton piqué I had in my stash, and I trimmed it with narrow black braid from Daytona Braids and Trimmings. |
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| The directions call for an exposed zipper like this, and I thought it was a nice touch. A little edgy, I think. Bought the zipper and had it sized at Pacific Trimming. |
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| I lined, or rather interlined, the main part of her tunic as the cotton was a little sheer. Susan Khalje just wrote a good article on interlining for Threads. |
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What I'm working on now: I feel very enthusiastic about spring sewing, but you know how you can get
bogged down in one project and then it just drains your enthusiasm? That's how I feel about my Chico's/Oscar de la Renta coat/Asian jacket and why I would love to finish it this weekend. What's everybody else working on?
34 comments:
I knew that was the Cynthia Rowley pattern right away, the yoke is so pretty and unique. Great tunic for Annie, it looks wonderful on her and the fabric is perfect for her trip to Florida. I am between projects, thinking about a skirt for my daughter or a cardigan for me.
This is great. I love the choice to add black trim on the placket.
Me too, i love that pattern! I don't HAVE that pattern, but I keep seeing versions I love. It looks great.
I'm finishing another vintage dress and maybe starting a New Look OOP I've had in stash for eons.
So pretty! Annie is a lucky girl.
I'm in between projects. I might just make a tunic, now that I've seen yours :)
Super cute! I love the floral your daughter chose and the fun trim yo added to the placket. I hope you finish that jacket soon, I'm so excited to see it!
Very pretty tunic! The exposed zipper and crisp scallops set it apart from other tunics. Somehow it looks crisp and lady like. Not really the Spring break scene I remember from growing up in Florida. Twenty years ago it was all bikinis, cut off short-shorts, and flipflops! Annie's tunic is much nicer, and maybe advertises a nicer girl inside?
I was surprised...I really thought this tunic pattern was for you! Either way it's a beautiful tunic and it looks great on Annie.
Love that tunic! Maybe that will be the next thing I start, as soon as Easter outfits of the granddaughters are finished. I have a different tunic pattern, but I think i like yours better.
Hi Lindsay!
Love that top! I'm bringing a bus load of sewers/shoppers on May 14 to the Garment District!!! Any tips on good places to go. Kashi is opening up Metro Textiles for us! Yippee!
I love the fabric that Annie chose and the black trim gives it the oomph! It would look just as great on you as well.
That fabric is FABULOUS, your daughter is lucky to have you:)
Since I am crazy for bright prints I love this! and I with your daughter, all day at the beach is my idea of heaven.
Very cute!
I am working on the last bit of my March pants, the hem. Just haven't faced it yet as I have gone into Spring cleaning binge and the studio and back basement are torn apart. I am getting very motivated, however, as I go thru my fabrics.
I'm not usually a beacy print girl but I loves it.
I am going to steal that idea of the placket made of white pique for a tunic for myself. I love how crisp it looks and the black braid give it a nice punch as well. Great looking on Annie.
Like Carolyn I thought this was for you! Annie doesn't fall too far from the tree, I think. Gorgeous tunic, and I'm with Annie. Beach! (Though not the beach scene for me, just the ocean.)
My neverending project was the cycling rain pants, which I finished last weekend. I am not looking forward to delving back into Gore Tex world for the pullover and accoutrements. But meanwhile I'm making a bunch of wicking tees and full cycling skirts, which are a thrill compared to technical sewing.
that's so pretty! i love the fabric.
my spring sewing *should* be the wedding dress, but i keep getting sucked into other dress patterns... ;)
That top screams spring - it's lovely. I'm twix and between projects now. Nothing specific calling my name.
Wow.... I love it! I have that pattern in my stash, too, but just haven't found the right fabric. The one Annie picked out is awesome! Hehe.. I'm currently working on a skirt and hopefully a dress.
Ooooo, that is sooo cute! Love the fabric and the style.
I'm finishing up a jacket from last weekend's surprise snowday! But, DD needs a long black skirt for a concert next week so that will probably take priority.
While the cotton print is beautiful (so perfect for spring break!) the black braid really makes this dress pop. It's great!
What a pretty print Annie picked out and you sewed it up beautifully. I am anxious to make this tunic myself. I love seeing different versions of it.
oh I love that fabric!! I would wear it next to a lake, a stream or a puddle in the parking lot!
This weekend will be spent cutting out slacks (muslin fitted so on to the fabric) I would also love to get a few tops for spring cut out so that I can sew after work during the week. It's warming up finally here in NJ so I'm in the spring sewing frame of mind!
Super cute!!!! Love it!
Absolutely fetching.
Like the print and zipper detail. I need to get a little edgy like that.
I'm working on 4 little girl (granddaughters) Easter dresses and an Anthropology inspired lace dress for my daughter. Want to treat the lace and underlining as one main fabric, but need to figure out if I need to line the bodice and make slip under skirt with yet another fabric.
Hummm???
It's gorgeous. Not sure about lining a beach tunic though? Definitely not the Australian way. You are meant to see the bikini under it!
That is such a fabulous tunic, I can't even stand it! Totally jealous!
Very pretty---I love the color and exposed zipper!
Great tunic - the neckline is superbly done and I love the exposed zipper. The interlining is also a good idea.
Cute...cute...cute! You did an amazing job.
Christiana
sewamusing.blogspot.com
Fantastic tunic. I love the Pucci-stye fabric and the black trim on the placket.
Your daughter is so super lucky to have you. That tunic is so beautiful. All the details you added to it just make it. Beautiful!
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