28 Jun Garment No 17
Breaks from blogging are rarely intended but life happens…..
My latest garment is a black eyelet tunic from The Tunic Bible 🙂
Recently we received our final proof of the book from the publishers, and I was curious about the pattern. Would I really like it? Was it as I remembered it several months ago? Would it fit? Did the printing process distort the pattern? Did we forget anything?
I cut out the pattern and sewed it as if I was making it for the first time.
Since the book recommends starting with a simple tunic version in the classic relaxed fit, that’s what I made. My inspiration was this cute RTW black eyelet tunic embellished with tassels.
In keeping with the relaxed fit, my tunic has no back darts or side zipper. It is not lined and I wear it with a black camisole/tank underneath. I’m extremely delighted that no swayback adjustment was needed.
When the idea for The Tunic Bible was conceived, Julie and I envisioned a classic tunic pattern which was shapely and comfortable without being baggy. We wanted a pattern that fit in the shoulders ~
fit in the bust ~
flattered the body, yet easy to tailor when a closer fit is desired.
We believe we achieved our goal, and I am very pleased with the fit and assembly of the pattern. I hope you will be too! The ruffled sleeve cuffs are among my favorite sleeve options, but there are several.
I discovered mini tassels are not so easy to find, and eventually placed an order on Etsy order which barely got me started. Just as I was about to give up on the tassel idea, the Bernina dealer in Charleston introduced me to The Clover Tassel Maker.
Two sizes are available and I chose the small. The tassels are a cinch to make ~ the tedious part being attaching each tassel by hand, but with tassels being the hot embellishment these days, I know the $12.00 investment will serve me well!
My fabric is from Mary Jo’s Cloth Store in Gastonia, NC, and I guess one could say I made another outfit to go with Lulu 😉
Happy Tuesday, everyone!
Jo Peavey
Posted at 07:06h, 28 JuneHaven’t been at the machine in years, but love your blog and it almost makes me dig It out for more Han repairs!
Thank you for sharing!
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 07:32h, 28 JuneMany thanks, Jo! Sewing has changed so much through the years and you may really like it this time around ~ Try it!!
Cindy Aymes
Posted at 07:10h, 28 JuneOh my goodness! I just love this! I want to make my own right now! And thanks for the advice on the tassel maker – I like to add a little hand work to my sewing while I dream of what I will wear with the garment! A few years ago I added a row of pompoms to the bottom of an eyelet top I’d made and I still love that top! This will be the updated tassel version!
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 07:30h, 28 JuneMany thanks, Cindy! Discovering the tassel maker was an enlightening moment. I like Pom-Poms too, like you 🙂
Karen Hinson
Posted at 07:14h, 28 JuneJust spectacular!
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 07:27h, 28 JuneThank you, Karen! This was a fun one…… 😉
Kerry Rounsley
Posted at 07:30h, 28 JuneI love the tassel idea and this top. By the way how is your cocker spaniel puppy going?
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 07:31h, 28 JuneThank you, Kerry! Lulu is great and growing quickly! I wish I had had her on location with me when these photos were taken 😉
Jane Diggens
Posted at 07:40h, 28 JuneFabulous tunic and love the tassels. I’ve placed an order for your book and can’t wait to try the pattern when it arrives.
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 08:54h, 28 JuneThank you Jane! I hope you will like The pattern. Between the two of us, Julie and I have made nearly 6o tunics!
Lisa Cast
Posted at 08:20h, 28 JuneYou’ve hit it out of the park again. I love the tunic. I don’t sew clothes (I’m a quilter) but your blog is one of my favorites.
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 09:48h, 28 JuneThank you so much, Lisa! I used to quilt and I love the process 😉
Becky Riddle
Posted at 08:35h, 28 JuneI wondered if your love of ruffles had gone away, but now I see not! This is a lovely tunic, just lovely. I am looking forward to your book!
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 09:50h, 28 JuneLOL – my love of ruffles will never go away ~ more like I have to remind myself that too much of a good thing is not so good!
Many thanks for your comment, Becky 🙂
Cissie Wellons
Posted at 08:41h, 28 JuneLove this version as well as all of your others! And lucky me — I just happen to have some black eyelet in my stash so I can continue to copy you!! Now to get one of those tassel doohickies! BTW, what did you use for your tassels — floche, floss?
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 09:52h, 28 JuneMany thanks, Cissie! The tassels I ordered were made from all purpose thread so I followed suit, but it’s definitely a personal preference 🙂
Amanda S.
Posted at 08:57h, 28 JuneHow cute! I’m going to have to get one of those tassel makers. They definitely add that little something I’m always trying to include in my sewing.
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 09:53h, 28 JuneThank you, Amanda! I’m sure you’ll put the tassel maker to good use 🙂
Kepi Rasmussen
Posted at 09:01h, 28 JuneGorgeous, you are an inspiration!
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 09:54h, 28 JuneThank you so much, Kepi!
MaryEllen
Posted at 09:09h, 28 JuneThis tunic is fabulous !! Can’t wait for my Tunic Bible to arrive !! Wish there was a way to get an autographed copy .
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 09:59h, 28 JuneThank you, MaryEllen! I think you live in Phoenix? We should meet up!
MaryEllen
Posted at 10:13h, 29 JuneThat would be great !!! Anytime !! Anytime you are not snuggling that new grandbaby that is
Judy Miller
Posted at 09:11h, 28 JuneAnother winner! I am looking forward to your tunic book. And I would really enjoy seeing more photos of Lulu!
Thank you for sharing your sewing projects. You are very inspiring!
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 10:01h, 28 JuneMany thanks, Judy! Lulu would have been adorable in this photo shoot 🙂 More pics of her soon…..
Joen
Posted at 09:34h, 28 JuneThanks for the tassel maker tip – I’ve wanted to make my own because they are hard to find or color selection is usually limited if I do find them. I’m so glad I pre-ordered my Tunic Bible and am looking forward to getting my copy!
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 10:02h, 28 JuneThank you Joen! The tassel maker is a must have for sure 🙂
Becky Bagwell
Posted at 09:34h, 28 JuneLive your tunic and can’t wait to get my book!
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 10:02h, 28 JuneThank you Becky!!
Suzanne Landau
Posted at 09:41h, 28 JuneGorgeous. I think I would make it in a heavy silk for going out. The tasselmaker looks like fun too. When is the book coming out?
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 10:04h, 28 JuneSuzanne ~ The book will be released on October 1. I’m not sure why the Amazon release date is one month behind the publisher. I think this pattern would be lovely in a heavy silk 😉
Irene
Posted at 09:56h, 28 JuneBeautiful! The tassels are a very clever trim. Uh-oh – you’ve now shown me another gadget that I’ll just have to get.
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 10:05h, 28 JuneThank you, Irene! I’m often reluctant to buy gadgets, but the tassel maker is a must have!
Pat Corcoran
Posted at 11:08h, 28 JuneBeautiful garment as always. The perfect compliment to you and your new book. I haven’t sewn garments in many years, but I am very tempted by you successes. What dress form would you recommend?
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 12:02h, 28 JuneThank you so much, Pat and I hope you’ll give it a try! Dress forms have been a dilemma for me and I’m on my third one. The Wolf is the high end customized form which is a duplicate of your shape. I won’t get one until I lose 2″ in my waist ~~~~~~~ My current dress form is a Singer. I like it as it has many adjustable knobs and works very well. 🙂
Diane James
Posted at 11:26h, 28 JuneBeautiful! I clicked on the Tunic Bible link to Amazon and see the pattern goes to XXL. Couldn’t find any info about what measurements that would cover. I often wear X or 1X…sometimes XL. Where would I find the measurements covered in the Tunic Bible? I want to make a tunic! Love your Blog.
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 11:58h, 28 JuneThank you, Diane! The bust measurements range from XS33 to XXL 471/2
Leigh
Posted at 11:27h, 28 JuneWhen the sizes say XS-XXL, what is the bust measurement of the XXL? I can’t find that information on amazon.
Love the tassels!
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 11:56h, 28 JuneThank you, Leigh! The XXL is designed for a bust measurement of 47 1/2 .
Mitzi Richardson
Posted at 12:17h, 28 JuneThat is just too cute! Cute and chic are often contradictory, but definitely not in this case – you captured both.
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 12:23h, 28 JuneAh……. what a great comment, Mitzi!! Many thanks 🙂
Karen of Fifty Dresses
Posted at 14:21h, 28 JuneYou always manage to come up with the perfect finishing touches, Sarah! The tassels (and the sleeves and the neckline) give this tunic a wonderful, fun look! (I suspect Clover is going to have a run on their tassel-makers!) So well done, as always!
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 15:52h, 28 JuneThank you, Karen! I never imagined myself to be making tassels, but here I am enjoying it so much 🙂
Connie Coley
Posted at 17:17h, 28 JuneWah!!! I want to make this right now…I don’t want to wait until the book is out! It’s fabulous. I’d be happy to be a pattern tester!
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 06:59h, 29 JuneThank you, Connie 🙂 We too wish the book was out NOW!!!
Rhonda
Posted at 19:12h, 28 JuneI love the tunic. I have ordered your book and the tassel maker! My dog is named Lulu also and she is black and white.
What kind of fabric did you use for this tunic?
Thanks,
Rhonda
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 07:00h, 29 JuneLOL ~ Lulu is a popular doggie name, I’ve discovered! The fabric is cotton eyelet. Many thanks for the book order and comment, Rhonda!
Ginger
Posted at 20:46h, 28 JuneLooking forward to your book. The tunic is adorable.
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 07:01h, 29 JuneMany thanks, Ginger!
Barbara B
Posted at 21:23h, 28 JuneSometimes after I see yet another one of your beautiful creations I find myself wondering if I wouldn’t be better off just copying everything you do.. This tunic brings a new freshness to basic black.
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 07:03h, 29 JuneThank you for your nice comment Barbara ~ obviously I copied the idea from a RTW 😉 One of the gallery sewers in the book made a stunning black eyelet dress which I believe you will love!
Sheri Lewis
Posted at 21:58h, 28 JuneGood Job and Congratulations!
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 07:04h, 29 JuneThank you so much, Sheri!
Jennifer Shaw
Posted at 00:35h, 29 JuneOnce again it is a home run! Your tunic is perfect in every way. Wow, how are you able to find the time to get all of your beautiful garments finished? Now you have motivated me to get back to doing some sewing for myself again. How is Lulu the pup?
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 07:07h, 29 JuneHi Jennifer! Many thanks for your comment ~ I suppose you could say I make time to sew 🙂 Lulu is great and I’ll try to include her in an upcoming post. Good luck with your sewing!
Karen Barlow
Posted at 09:35h, 29 JuneHow about a heads up on yardage so we can build our stashes when we see something that is tunic-worthy? I just hate it when I guesstimate incorrectly so I don’t want to be disappointed!
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 17:59h, 29 JuneKaren,
I don’t know how thorough I can be in my response since yardage varies depending on size and which components you incorporate. If you are a small, i would allow 2 yards for a standard tunic and 3 yards for a tunic dress with fuller sleeves such as the ruffle sleeves featured in this post. If you are sewing with border prints or unique designs, please allow more than the standard 2 yards.
Many thanks for your email!
Gerhild
Posted at 15:39h, 29 JuneThis is a stunning outfit. Love it.
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 17:54h, 29 JuneMany thanks, Gerhild 😉
Joy Bernhardt
Posted at 20:39h, 29 JuneYou MADE every one of those tassels on that tunic? Or did they come from ETSY?
Very cute. I don’t usually like a tunic, but yours is darling.
Hugs, Joy
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 21:20h, 29 JuneHi Joy ~ Nice to hear from you! I made 80% of the tassels on the tunic 😉 My Etsy order ran out quickly……..
Jennifer Radbourne
Posted at 04:08h, 30 JuneI love your tunic – and your ‘style’. I am fairly new to tunics but am getting quite hooked. I have preordered your book – not out here in the UK until November – I can’t wait! I can see me using the winter months to build up a good supply for next year.
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 06:01h, 30 JuneThank you so much for your pre-order, Jennifer! The release date is October 1 and I’m not sure why the Amazon date is November 1. Maybe you’ll get it earlier than expected 🙂
Margo//Creating In The Gap
Posted at 06:06h, 30 JuneYou achieved a really beautiful fit! Congrats on the book!! So exciting 🙂
KathieBennett
Posted at 08:30h, 01 JulyOh how I would love to add this beautiful top to my tunic collection! Have you thought of selling these tops?
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 08:48h, 01 JulyThank you so much, Kathie for your sweet comment! While I won’t be selling the tops, I hope you’ll consider The Tunic Bible!
Marilee
Posted at 11:20h, 05 JulyI’ve been following your blog and enjoy your sewing sensibilities, which reflect mine to a large extent, i.e. Focus on fit, classic lines and nice finishing details. Can’t wait to see your new book, since tunics are one of my favorite clothing items. Here in the south where I live, tunics are more practical and cooler than layers of sweaters, jackets, etc. I love to sew and wear light cotton caftan style tunics.
This black eyelet top with tassels is something I’d love to make and wear, if only I could find a suitable fabric… The search is on!! I’m thinking that I might crochet some edging. I recently crocheted a scarf with a bobble edging that would look great done in a light cotton yarn or crochet thread, matching or contrast, added to the hem of this tunic.
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 05:56h, 06 JulyThank you so much for your comment, Marilee ~ I am a tunic person all year long and am delighted that you are too! One thing I’ve discovered is the tunic is adaptable to many, many types of fabric and hope you can find just what you’re looking for. The crocheted edging sounds fabulous 🙂 🙂