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Tiptoe through the tunics…

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Well, one tunic at least.

I [almost] highly recommend this pattern:  Simplicity 1008.  It goes together beautifully, and the finish is fabulous.  The instructions..hmm…well…

The pattern makes two variations on the dress/tunic, and a rather cute bubble cape, which may feature here eventually.  I think that Simplicity were trying to keep the instructions sheets to a minimum, but unfortunately chose to do this in a very confusing way, by flipping back and forth between view A and view B.  Usually, you do first or last stages of similar items from one set of instructions, then switch to the ones for your appropriate view, with everything making a fair amount of sense.

Not here: I wanted view B, which tells you to begin by following view A steps 1-3.

Then view B, steps 1-2

View A, steps 5-7

View B, steps 3-9

View A, 9-15

View B,  10

View A, 16-17

View B, 11-19

View A, 20-21 [note, this is the first time the numbers make sense!]

View B, 20

Not surprisingly, I found this hard to follow- gawd knows how a beginner might have coped!

Of course, I added to the time taken by deciding to do that ribbon trim, which was tedious and fiddly.  However, it looks really good, and the missus loves it.  I also inflicted six hand sewn eyelets on myself, just to keep my eye in.

She’s out most of today, while I plough on with her shirt and silk bodice, so just some hanger shots for now.  She’s VERY pleased with it, and looks lovely in this colour.  We need some grey leggings to wear under it though, so I’ll be rummaging for fabric in a bit!

sewing stuff 001sewing stuff 003sewing stuff 005

The fabric, from my favourite Italian Designer eBay shop, is a cotton/cupro monks’ weave, which feels like a slightly rough slub silk in a basket weave pattern.  It was lovely to cut and sew, and presses nicely, although it creases nicely too!  It also picks up every bit of cotton fluff that it can.  The lining is a delicious fine cotton batiste from My Fabrics, and I’ll be getting more in different colours.  A few bits of shot green organza from stash, and cheap as chips ribbon also from eBay.

In fact, I just convinced myself to buy more of the green.  And while I was there, these fell into my basket…well, I couldn’t make my mind up…red belts

12 thoughts on “Tiptoe through the tunics…”

    1. They are attached at the side seams and neck edge, but are loose apart from that- quite ingenious. The two half belts are separate and inserted at the side seams. I actually ignored instructions and hand sewed them over the side zip, to avoid bulk.
      Th eyelets aren’t up to the ones I made for the wife’s wedding dress, but that WAS 3 years ago!

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  3. Impressive. Truly impressive. You might just asked to be on costume team for Series 8 (the last).
    However, I just have to ask – are you still making ‘real’ clothes?

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    1. Sort of- the missus is demanding ever more shirts, even if some of them are in kitsch prints for the steampunkery! She needs trousers next, so I have to revive the abandoned trouser toiles and get on with it.

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  4. That tunic looks fantastic. I really like the trim that you applied. Not brave enough here to attempt hand-sewn eyelets so that hat is off. Are those three corsets? Is the pale red one leather and suede? They look lovely. Xx

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  5. That dress is looking great, I don’t think there’s a chance I could follow steps like that!! I would have crumbled and gave up. Loving the ribbon detail, it looks perfect.

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  6. Aha, that’s what the scales were for! Love how it’s also a belt, ingenious! Will we get to see pics of Missus in in, I’m not sure that hanger is doing it justice

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  7. It looks fabulous. I love the ribbon scales even more now that they are in context.
    If you need another market visit (and lunch) I’m going to be in next Thursday.

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