Almost as soon as the latest issue of ‘Love Sewing’ magazine landed on my doorstep, I knew I was going to make the ‘Matilda’ Everyday Tunic with the free pattern (included).
It looks like just the thing to pull on in the morning without having to worry about whether I’m having a fat(ter) day:)
Of course, I chose something a bit more eye-catching than the boring neutral denim – well, I do like a bit of Lime Green and Orange!
Due to the busy fabric and the fact that many of the design features wouldn’t work, I actually made huge alterations to the pattern but kept the basic shape: –
- Re-cut the pattern into one piece for both the front and back
- Cut the front neck a little lower
- Lost the pockets altogether
- Shortened the sleeves
- Moved the rouleau closure to the front neck
- Bound the hem with matching orange bias binding
After this photo was taken I took the side seams in by another four inches as I realise my body looks quite ‘square’ – it was just too big at the waist.
Although it is a very simple shape, there is some shaping in the form of side bust darts.
Darts can be tricky so do them carefully to make sure they lie flat and don’t pucker at the point.
The design called for a single rouleau button loop at the back neck.
I rarely wear my hair up so this little detail would have been hidden under my hair, so I recreated it at the front neck instead.
I used my trusty overlocker to finish all the raw edges and side seams…
….and a flat fell seam for the shoulder seams.
I just love how neat this type of seam looks and feels!
I was about to turn up a plain hem when I remembered some bright orange bias binding left over from a previous project. It lends the perfect designer touch to lift the tunic out of the ordinary.
What do you think? It certainly shouts “Summer is coming” to me!
April 24, 2015 at 8:10 am
Looks lovely
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April 24, 2015 at 9:35 am
Thank you, it’s a good everyday staple for me, I think.
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April 24, 2015 at 8:34 am
I like it a lot!! And yes,I’m so very jealous of yours sewing skill…. bias ribbons, circular sewing, darts are a mistery to me…. only straight seams are accessible to me….
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April 24, 2015 at 9:29 am
It’s not so difficult, you just have to be bold and try! Anyway, you only need straight seams for your new curtains, so you’ll be fine:)
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April 24, 2015 at 8:42 am
Looks great and love the fabric and extra finishing touches – there might be a few others, I would think, appear in your wardrobe soon 😉
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April 24, 2015 at 9:32 am
You may well be right – I wore it yesterday and it was so comfy. I would have to make them look different to each other though, customise it in some other way. Would feather boa trim be too much do you think?!!!
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April 24, 2015 at 9:46 pm
I think you could carry the boa trim beautifully 😉
This new make has definitely got me thinking about my summer attire – I might even be tempted into making one or two myself 😀
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April 24, 2015 at 9:45 am
Love it and all you’ve done to it. Originally I thought this pattern wasn’t for me but you have shown me it could. Hope you forward a pic to the mag.
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April 24, 2015 at 9:49 am
If I’m honest, I thought it looked like a painter’s smock in the magazine, but I did like the basic shape so tried to make it work for me. I posted it on their FB page and they said nice things about it:)
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April 24, 2015 at 10:09 am
Very good😉
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April 24, 2015 at 12:32 pm
It’s great, that loose shaped dress seems to popular at the moment. There are some lovely ones in one of our local shops but rather expensive, maybe making is an option. You can see how my wip list grows, my would like to do list is even longer. You all just keep inspiring me! 🙂
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April 25, 2015 at 2:25 pm
I like the shape because it hides my less-than-flat stomach! I bought the fabric on a whim a few months ago and this seemed perfect for it. Of course, it’s MUCH cheaper to make your own as well:)
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April 25, 2015 at 4:11 pm
hehe, I could do with a dress like that too!!
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April 24, 2015 at 4:39 pm
I can see straight away why you want to do this project, loving your choice of fabric LOL
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April 25, 2015 at 2:26 pm
I do love a forgiving tunic shape! The fabric is fun isn’t it? So ‘me’!
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April 25, 2015 at 4:37 pm
I’m quite into tunics at the moment…I just need to unearth my sewing machine it’s squirrelled away at the moment during the master bedroom renovations Boo Hoo
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April 24, 2015 at 4:46 pm
Yours is definitely more inspiring than theirs – you were right first time with the boring bit! Love the orange trim. I bought some bright orange and bright pink on the spoolette trip, you just never know when you’ll need a splash of colour!
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April 25, 2015 at 2:28 pm
I made a two-tone dress about twenty years ago which was Coral and Mauve – clashing colours seem to be making a comeback so your Orange and Pink would be perfect together!
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April 24, 2015 at 6:24 pm
Wow! That was super quick! My copy only came through the day before last. I’d dismissed this outright, but you’ve really made it work for you 🙂 Love the zingy colours and Orangina bias binding. You’ve really made this your own, great job!
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April 25, 2015 at 2:32 pm
The magazine arrived in the morning and I had finished the dress later that day. I need the skimming shape to disguise my belly (which looks a little worse for wear after five pregnancies) whereas you definitely don’t!
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April 25, 2015 at 6:07 pm
Very impressive! Pregnancies have a lot to answer for in general… I have to concentrate very hard when I sneeze 😉
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April 26, 2015 at 9:27 am
…or cough, or laugh…!
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April 26, 2015 at 10:32 am
Exactly! 😉
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April 24, 2015 at 11:35 pm
So cute! I can definitely see that being a comfy, relaxing summer time outfit!
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April 25, 2015 at 2:34 pm
It already is! You need something that’s cool and easy to throw on in the Summer and this is just the job. I will be wearing it a lot in Spain next month methinks:)
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April 25, 2015 at 9:51 pm
Ooh that’s fun!
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April 25, 2015 at 3:53 am
You go girl! I adore the material. It is so retro and you super cute in it. I think you could make another with a different material without having to make so many changes to make them look different. The model in the magazine is adorable. Reminds me of paperdolls I had as a little girl. I am moving right along with my sewing. I made pillowcases the other morning and altered my mom’s skirt that had gotten really big from her weight loss with chemo. Both came out super! I was rather proud of myself. LOL 😀
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April 25, 2015 at 2:37 pm
Fantastic! Pillowcases are great for beginners because they give you quick results which is very motivating. The model reminds me of ‘Heidi’ from years ago. I do love a nice, bright fabric and Orange and Green are unusual choices so should be different to what most people are wearing. I love handmade because you can be sure that nobody else will turn up in the same thing!
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April 26, 2015 at 2:03 pm
Wow we couldn’t lose you in a crowd! So colourful 🙂 You’re sewing is absolutely perfect. I’m not sure how much of the original dress pattern you actually followed?! Is there no end to your talents?
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April 27, 2015 at 5:17 pm
He he! I knew the basic shape would suit me but not with all that stitch detail on a busy fabric:)
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April 27, 2015 at 11:45 am
Love, love, love it! You’ve made the best fabric choice – suits you perfectly! Marianne xx
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April 27, 2015 at 12:41 pm
Thanks! I like cheery colours almost as much as you:)
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April 27, 2015 at 2:50 pm
Very summery! I love what you did with the pattern, and seeing your fabulous sewing skills! Looks so cute on you!
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April 27, 2015 at 5:15 pm
Thanks very much! It’s certainly more ‘me’ the way I adapted it:)
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May 3, 2015 at 2:54 pm
Lovely, it really suits you!!!
I like to make clothes aswell!! you can find pictures on my blog!
http://www.lafinetune.com
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May 4, 2015 at 7:28 am
This looks great and I actually think yours is much nicer than the one on the magazine! Just the kind of dress I like to wear to work, you’ve inspired me.
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May 5, 2015 at 9:29 pm
Tunics are great, aren’t they? They are so comfortable but can be smart too (unless done in that denim chambray!). Thank you for the lovely compliment:)
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