Friday 27 October 2017

School House Tunic


I am choosing different patterns at the moment. I have put on some weight, just a little, but the downside of making custom made clothes is that one year they fit and the next they don't because the margins are so close. I have chosen a few patterns with wiggle room of late. Not all have been successful.



I spotted the School House Tunic at Minerva. Tummy skimming with simple lines, I thought I would give it a go. I am trying to champion making garments from solid fabric colours rather than all snazzy prints. You can end up with a wardrobe fit for nothing if you are not careful. How else would I get to wear these fantastic tights that my mum bought me without a single colour fabric?



I made some modifications. I sewed up the front placket so that I did not have to wear anything underneath. I made full length sleeves and chose the elastic cuff option which is in the pattern. 


I think I will have another go at this in a denim chambray but I definitely need to go down a size to achieve the look I want. I took quite a bit out of this one along the sleeve and side seam and I could go some more. In the end I tried a tie belt at the back to give it a tad more shaping while still keeping the looseness.

The instructions are great if you are a beginner sewer and there are no fastenings to deal with. The fabric has a lovely texture and it is easy to work with, there is a bit of give which makes matching notches easy.


The good thing about sewing with solid colours is that I get to incorporate some of my home knits and crochet items to make it more me.


Thanks Minerva for a fine solid colour fabric. 
I must remember to do this more often. 

Do you always buy patterned fabric or do you try solid colours too?

14 comments:

  1. This looks lovely! I love the colour on you and I agree its a great showcase for your knits!

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  2. Oh WOW.You look Fab u lus Darlin lol.Love the colour and the pattern.Wish I had a figure like yours.x

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  3. Very cute, Jo. I love the waistline on that, and the pleats. I think a denim chambray would be very nice. I'm so glad denim shirts are back in, those were a staple for me in the 90's.

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  4. It looks absolutely lovely on you--- really, really nice - wow. I love the style, good for you. Its so versatile. I wish I could sew - it is great - I'd make another one or two- -just perfect, enjoy.

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  5. Now that you asked, I realize I tend to go to solids when choosing clothing...to the fault of being boring :) You however, are not boring and have made another cute and classic garment that I can imagine you long enjoying! Bravo! xx

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  6. Great pattern, great job! I usually choose patterns in cottons, solids in linen and wools.

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  7. I absolutely LOVE this. It's just the sort of thing I'd buy and wear and I definitely favour block colours over patterned, mainly because you can go mad with the accessories! Do you think I could make this Jo? Be honest. :-)

    (By the way you don't look like you've gained a pound, you always look gorgeous.)

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  8. This is gorgeous! I love how you made it in a plain fabric, meaning that it goes perfectly with a scarf.

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  9. That is such a simple looking but so effective dress. The styling suits you and you can jazz up or dull down as appropriate. Think it will look good in the chambray blue but also in olive or sage green, as those colours really suit you too.

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  10. I LOVE it, I am going to get my daughter to order the pattern for me and give it a go.

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  11. I have always liked this pattern so thank you for blogging your lovely version. You have inspired me to have a go myself when I get some time. It looks great for the autumn.

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  12. You look fantastic Jo! I am all about nothing hugging my body. I have gained weight also, and I have a bit of a belly that sticks out and I am not happy about it. On of the little ones I work with pats my belly every time I see her.

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  13. The tunic looks great Ilove the way you have accessorised it, the neutral colour will go with lots. I do tend to go for jazzy prints and you are right it makes mixing and matching difficult. I'm trying to curb this myself. Xx

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  14. This is lovely. I wouldn't have looked at that pattern, but it really works on you. Good idea to sew up the placket.

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