My entry in the 2017 Pattern Review Tunic Contest

Pattern: New Look 6250. This pattern is out of print. 

Pattern Description: New Look 6250 is a set of basic tops. I used the sleeveless version (View 3) as the base pattern for my self-drafted tunic. 


Pattern Sizing: 8-18

Printed duck, and blue gabardine.

Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it? No, and it was not intended to. My real inspiration was from the PR Blog post Julie & Sarah shared about the Tunic Bible. I really loved a lot of those tunic designs. It was their post that got me jazzed up and inspired me to enter the Tunic Contest at the last minute.



Were the instructions easy to follow? N/A

What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern? It was a basic enough shell to start my hack from. 

Fabric Used: I bought a printed cotton duck to be my focal fabric. What drew me to this print and what I just love about it is the reference to Japanese block printing. 

I then went to my local SPCA thrift store (https://www.facebook.com/spcabrevardtitusvillethrift/) and bought a pair of slacks ($3) in a dark blue gabardine to match the indigo print. 

To make my cotton duck look like the classic ribbon trim used in tunics, I cut the print apart, satin-stitched the edges, and embellished with a bit of bling; trace-stitching over the design elements in metallic silver/black thread.

Pattern alterations or any design changes you made: Hacked my own custom pattern. Lengthen the basic pattern to below hip. Took out the button placard and inserted a center front seam. Added a center back seam. Added shoulder darts for protruding shoulder blades. Created front and back facings. 

Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others? Yes. While you might not be able to buy this exact pattern (since it is OOP), you can use any basic pattern that is similar to your design concept as a base from which to hack your own custom fitted pattern and design.

Conclusion: Wow, while modeling for the pics in the sun I was getting warm (August in FL 90º, 90% humidity, lol) I have realized that the gabardine from the pants is going to be too warm. I thought I was going to get to wear my new "summer" tunic with my jean skorts. I think it will be better suited for the cooler weather of fall. One thing I really like about this project is that it was upcycled and is sustainable fashion. I still have a bunch of the cotton duck left, so maybe I'll just make another tunic. They are fun and a great project when you don't have a lot of time. Think I'll re-make a real summery version next, lol.