Sewing Vloggers

Tuesday, November 19, 2013

Tunic #2, Vogue 8924

This is my second iteration of Vogue 8924, that tenty little tunic that is so comfortable to wear and looks great with leggings and boots. You can see the first here.  I have worn it numerous times to work. Between rushing in the morning and looking frazzled in a dark winter evening, a self modeled picture isn't coming any time soon. But Graciela, today's name for the form, will accommodate the modeling! One day the form will get a proper name. I am trying out several and leaning heavily toward Graciela.

Pattern:
Vogue 8924, a simple, widely cut tunic with a shaped hem and large pockets.


Fabric:
This is a polyester dotted blouse weight for lack of a better term. I keep buying gray lately, which does give me wardrobing advantages, but I always feel I have to add a spike of color. I did this here with  some yellow and white retro buttons and a bit of shibori stitching in yellow on the back above the pleat. This fabric is very drapery, different from the first iteration, so looks good with a belt and has more of a blouse look. 
Construction:
I did a few changes to the pattern this time. Because I was using a nasty synthetic and because somehow the stay stitched neckline stretched out getting the bodice to fit the collar was a bit of a challenge. Here you can see the nastiness.
A natural fiber would have eased in and pressed out nicely but petroleum based fabric just does not do that. What to do?  I fudged and fiddled and decided it looks great with the collar turned down, not my usual style. I found a good break point for the placket and added a button there and I think it worked out fine.

 I also  changed out the pockets to something a little more fun. Actually it was all about funning up the dour gray fabric. On the pockets I flipped a corner down and secured it with another retro button as you can see in the second picture above. 

This was all pretty much stitched and serged. Nothing fancy happening here. But I did get a good basic garment that has been perfect for  work with some leggings, shoebooties, and a long  sweater vest. Library ladies wear lots of sweaters.  I did get lots of positive feedback when I wore it. And I was comfortable, something oddly becoming more important with each day. I love how this looks from the back. 

While I think I may make more tunics, I think I will retire this pattern for now. I definitely can see it for the summer in some linen with slim white crops. Highly recommend. 
*********************************************
 My holiday sewing is all out of the way now and I will get going on my winter coat. Finally! I have cut and prepped the pattern and interfacing, a hair canvas sew in. To keep things nice until I get to work on them further I rolled up the tissues on cardboard tubes, one for lining, one for fashion fabric. Have my muslin fabric at the ready and just need to cut. I am thinking this could be a simple project. We'll see....Bunny

25 comments:

  1. Nice -- I love the shibori stitching in the back.

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    1. Thanks. It just sort of flowed, no pattern or anything.

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  2. I really like the texture of the fabric and the splashes of color you added with the buttons and stitching. It may be a "comfortable wear," but it looks very high-end too. The best of both worlds.

    On a personal note - thanks for the comments and support on what turned into a trainwreck on my blog. :-) Much appreciated.

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  3. The yellow buttons and stitching really pop against the gray. It's a nice pattern, I could almost see it as a dress in linen for the summer. Good job with the collar, it's so frustrating to work with fabrics that don't respond as well as one would like.

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    Replies
    1. I was thinking the same, a bright linen with slim white pants. Why does it have to be snowing right now?

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  4. I love the cool stitching on the back. Grey is one of my base colors and I always try to find a way to add some color :-) Your work is so inspiring.

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    1. Thanks, Mary. I found I am doing a lot of gray. There is just a lot in the stash. But I have to make the color pop one way or another.

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  5. Gray is SEW in right now, too...especially with yellow accents. I'm seeing a lot of quilts in those colors.
    I bet your tunic looks fabulous on you, Bunny. You always dress so stylishly...I like how you gussied it up with the handwork on the back!

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    Replies
    1. I have a long gray cable sweater vest and black boots and leggings that I wear it with. Thanks, Rett.

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  6. I love the way you "glammed" up that kinda of depressing winter gray look; with the yellow addtions it looks like "sunny skies" ahead! And the stitching on the back is a very nice touch, love it especially. Also, you find great buttons!

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    1. The buttons are truly retro and from a horde that a very elderly friend gave me. I love how I can remember her when I pick out buttons and wear things.

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  7. On anyone else this would be boring but you have livened it up with that almost art deco design in yellow and buttons from a friend. What a cool tunic to bridge the seasons...or is it too late to think it is still Fall in your part of the world? Great job, great photos...as always!

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  8. the sashiko is brilliant! As an aside, I hate, Hate, HATE poly fabrics. Finally made the decision that I wouldn't, under any circumstances, sew with them any longer.

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  9. the sashiko is brilliant! As an aside, I hate, Hate, HATE poly fabrics. Finally made the decision that I wouldn't, under any circumstances, sew with them any longer.

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    Replies
    1. I am not a big fan either. But once in a while a certain print or look seduces me in. What can I say?

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  10. Poly fabrics are not the demon, just very poor quality ones. I really love this tunic - simple, stylish, versatile - what more would you want?

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  11. I love that you shared how you "eased" the collar and neckline together. I've done that so it's good to know that I'm walking in the footsteps of a more accomplished sewist. The tunic is fantastic. I understand why you've made it again...and as far as comfort goes, it's the third word on my list when describing my sewn garments. So I understand that too!

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  12. The yellow stitching and vintage buttons make this completely smashing. Nicely done!

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  13. I think you might mean sashiko stitching, Bunny? - shibori is a kind of tie-dye.
    Love the spotty fabric and all the details!

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