Vogue 1415, Tom and Linda Platt tunic
SWAP 2018 #1
Cut from a red stretch velvet remnant which limited the length of both bodice and sleeves [which is fine, I’m 5’3″ and despite having monkey arms, like my sleeves a tad short] The velvet was originally purchased to make a Xmas nightshirt for my daughter a couple of years ago- I got it at Birmingham Rag Market, cheap as chips. [About £3/m I think]
This is meant to be made in a woven fabric, cut on the bias, but this slinky jersey didn’t need it. Cut to the demands of the fabric it’s probably between a 16 and 18, I don’t fuss overmuch when working with stretch.
This should have been a VERY fast make, so of course the overlocker decided to go loopy on me [geddit?] and had to be re-threaded three times before it deigned to stitch. It does this from time to time. I swore.
no shoulder seams, the shoulder shaping comes from darts in the sleeves, a nice touch, although slightly confusing as to where exactly you should stitch. Stretch fabric is forgiving so I winged it!
Very easy to sew, even the collar. The instructions tell you to do a felled seam on the centre back collar, I just overlocked everything, and hand finished hems to make sure those bias edges didn’t get wrecked by the machine. Easy peasy. I’ll make more of these.
There is no way the collar could be draped round my broad shoulders as in the pattern photo, even with it being stretchy, so I messed about with just smooshing it about to get different effects. I really like this- even more than the pleat front velvet version, and I didn’t expect that! Even though it’s quite a dressy fabric, I will be wearing this for everyday- it was, after all, cheap as chips [unlike the blue velvet tunic] so why the hell not?

I wore this to work today, and got lots of compliments AND felt comfy, not too fat, and quite glam. Red velvet for the win!
I like that much better than the pattern photo, which seems rather humourless and no fun at all. Your version flatters you plus you look very cheery, so that is great. Good for you!
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lol thanks! I just said to the missus, I’m actually quite happy to be velvety and lumpy!
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Erm, all the best things to lie on are…nudge nudge wink wink
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Well back in my skinny youth I wouldn’t have thought so, but having my lovely wife put on her post-menopause lumps and bumps makes for a deliciously squidgy armful lol Boing boing!
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Times change and bodies do too–way back then I was SO judgmental about weight and attractiveness and all that, my own and that of others, and now have a lot more compassion and appreciation for life and living beings.
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Ferzackerley. I still don’t like big arses though lol [but we are talking about sexual attraction here rather than fat shaming!]
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Yup–I think preferences are okay, especially when they are not made to shame or blame others or self. Lots of mileage, lots of varying–and sure, that can be a coy quip on the mileage of the arse in necessary…!
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Looks great, just the lift needed to cheer up dreary winter months.
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Absolutely- can’t beat red with the gloom [and yes, we leave our tree up just to make us happy in January!]
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Fabulous colour on you and it’s not surprising that you received compliments, it’s a great look. I must’ve seen that pattern before but I can’t recall it, 🤔.
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I previously made the other version in a bluey/grey velvet luxury fabric. This is even better and practically free!
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This is gorgeous and the “cheap” fabric has such a lovely drap. I think that I like this better than the other one. It looks lovely on. No wonder you look so cheery. Definitely reds for the win! 🙂 Xx
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It’s really lovely!
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Thank you!
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This red look gorgeous on you. The fabric drapes perfectly & skims your body it doesn’t kling to it. Can’t the price either.
So definitely a win with fit, color, price, pattern.
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Thank you! It is nice to wear something that feels good all day- no pulling or tugging to get it to lie right- and I thought the fabric would be full of static and all clingy. I may have to buy more in some of the other colours still on offer!
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OK you’ve inspired me. I’ve had a piece of red stretch velvet in my stash for over 10 years and never figured out what to do with it, as I don’t usually need dressy clothes. Obviously it needs to be an everyday top. Thanks for the inspiration, your top is lovely!
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A child of the 70s knows that velvet and satin ARE everyday fabrics lol
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Very flattering on you!
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thanks!
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Gorgeous tunic, red really suits you! It looks so much better than the photo on the pattern sleeve!
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*blush* The one on the pattern is a bit TOO posh I think- very formal, very couture, and probably makes you think it’s not a garment suitable for normal folk off the red carpet lol
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The top looks terrific, especially in that gorgeous red….I already have the pattern, just need to fine the right fabric, thank you. I really enjoy your blogs – you give me so many “outside the box” ideas.
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Thanks! Ooh outside the box, I like that!
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Lovely colour! I missed seeing that pattern, but it looks very useful – tunic, but not in the boring sense.
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It’s a doozy
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Love it. How could you go wrong with stretch and velvet and red?
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EXACTLY. Everyone needs a happy top, this is mine!
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Fabulous top great colour and also a great idea to leave the tree up. It’s always such a shame that we throw away trees when they still have their needles. I have that pattern somewhere. I must dig it out and give it a go.
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The tree is artificial, but a good ‘un! Wedecidied about three years back now that it’s just too miserable when it’s put away, right at the gloomiest part of the year, with bugger all to look forward to. We sail through January now, the missus used to get really bad S.A.D. but this is a great distraction. It’s a particularly fab tree which helps! [We buy only special new ornaments, one or two per year, so it already has a lot of memories for us both, plus really old ones from my mum’s tree
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Very nice, and the red is particularly cheerful. I wouldn’t have chosen that pattern from the envelope picture but i like yours 😃
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Thanks missus! I need to start getting commission from Vogue…
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I’ll sign the petition 😉
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This is a beautiful pattern and looks really lovely made up on you!x
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thank you!
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