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!