Velour Tunic (Ottobre 6/2012)

Another sewing from Ottobre.  I really love Ottobre!

This is a tunic using stretch poly/cotton velour in purple that I got from Fabric.com.  For $3.99 a yard, it was a steal! I used the Aamurusko Velour tunic from Ottobre 6/2012 design at size 104 for my 3 year old.

My fabric is not wide enough so I cut my back bodice not on fold and add 1cm seam allowance.

When I first saw this tunic, I love the ruffle front layers. The pattern suggested using knit of the same color tone but I decided to use the same velour fabric so it frays a little and I had to treat the seams.  I was lazy and used small zig zag stitch on my sewing machine but the result is not ideal. So went back to my serger (thread the serger with matching threads) and this time, the result is much better!

The neckline is bind with the same fabric so it was really thick. Had to go slow. I used stretch stitch on my machine for the sewing.  I also used my serger for the tunic hem so that I don't have to worry about wonky hems.

I also love the long sleeve hems. The technique here to gather the sleeves with elastic and attach the hem band is interesting. It give a gentle gathers with the need to manually adjust the gathers.

The waist is also gather in the same way. So much easier.

There! I just love how the tunic looks.  The velour does shed a lot so having a serger is really handy but it is not necessary. You can also use zig zag to finish the seams.

Colour block hoodie dresses

Another Hoodie, this time a dress!

The hoodie on the left is from the pattern from Ottobre design 4/2013 'Pentagram Hoodie' size 140 while the one on the right side is adapted from 'Beagle Boy Striped Hoodie' size 104.  I said 'adapted' because I use the measurements of Beagle Boy hoodie but copy the design from Pentagram Hoodie because the smallest size offered is only 128.

Let's talk about the Pentagram Hoodie first.  The original pattern uses different knit print for the pockets, hood and cuff so I decided to color block using pink and purple. Both favorite colors of my girls.

On my oldest request, I change the combination so that they are not identical. Something about the 3 year old wanting to wear the same clothes as her Big Sister but the feeling is not mutual!  The fabric used is Winter fleece from Fabric.com. The fleece is not as soft and fine as the micro fleece but still soft but much thicker.

Changes made to the Pentagram Hoodie:

1. Added lining to hood [cut hood lining slightly smaller so that lining will not show out at edge]
2. Omit hood ribbing since I'm going to line the hood

I use the decorative stitch for the hood facing, sleeve hem and the joint between the bodice and hem band.

For my younger girl, changes I made:

1. Lengthen the hoodie to tunic/dress length using 128 size of Pentagram hoodie
2. Added a new Hem band of 5"
3. Flare out the hoodie by 1.25" on both sides so that it is more A line [I think this looks much better than the original Pentagon hoodie]
4. Add Kangaroo pocket using the same template in Pentagram hoodie
5. Add lining to the hood

She loves to put her hands in the gigantic pockets.  Sleeve is very long and it covers her fingers.  The hood is large and totally cover her head when she pull it over. I think the A line shape is more flattering than the original Pentagon tunic straight cut design.  

Add bias tape to the pocket opening

I used another decorative stitch on my machine for my younger girl so that it will be different from her sister.  Notice the color blocking is different for both girls?

Note to self:

I used stretch stitch (2.0 zig zag and 2.5 stitch length).  The tension used is 5 and pressure foot is set at 3 to account for the stretch fleece.  I also used walking foot for the entire sewing.

Chevron Knit Tunic

Pattern from Ottobre 5/2009 issue. The one on the right.  I was thinking about making the coat on the left too.. Well, we'll see.

I've used a medium weight knit with chevron print for this tunic. I think I bought it from Chinatown or something. With only 3 pattern pieces, it was a quick sew.

I eliminated the 2 puffy pockets but added one pocket which I think it will be more interesting.

I love the way it was constructed.  I really learnt a lot from Ottobre's instruction, although I do have to get use to the wordy instructions with no graphic step by step guide. The clear elastic at the shoulder seams help to reinforce the area.  Bought these clear elastic from a shop at Textile centre.

I omitted the elastic casing at the sleeves cause I don't like the puffy feel. So, it was a bit wide and flappy but not too bad.

The neckline is gathered using the elastic. I like it that it is not too tight, like a peasant blouse.  The length is just nice and really goes well with jeans.  I also love the curvy hemline which is so pretty.

 I cut size 36 but could have gone down 1 size smaller but since I'm going to use it as a layering piece.  It's a basic tunic but oh so pretty and such a quick sew that I finish the tunic in 1 hour's time! So satisfying.

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Lace Overlay Tunic

June is a busy month for mummy in Singapore. With the month long school holiday, most family take the opportunity to travel overseas. We just came back from Hong Kong and boy, was it hot! We promised ourselves never to visit Hong Kong in June. It was too hot and I had headache every day! Maybe a visit to Malaysia or Australia will be the next best options.

Anyway, I did manage to do some sewing for myself.  This lace overlay tunic was from the Japanese magazine called Lady Boutique. I bought this from Popular bookstore at NEX shopping mall.

In this issue, they included 4 patterns for the 4 styles listed on the top left corner on the cover. I fell in love with the coral tunic with lace overlay on this page.

This tunic has only 3 pattern pieces: front, back and sleeve.  I love how versatile this tunic is and the magazine gave some suggestions on how to wear them: Casual, semi-formal and formal. I love it that the sleeves have the lace cuff that will show when you fold up the sleeve. It is also long enough for you to belt it if you wish.

For my version, I happen to have the chiffon that may just work on this tunic. I bought it at Chinatown for $3 a yard. The base is some turquoise blue cotton that I forgot where I bought it. I think I took one night to cut up and another night to sew. I did the sewing on Thursday night after work and finish it to wear to work the next day. It was really comfortable.

I think the sleeve is a tad too wide so if you are thinking about sewing this tunic, you can safely cut off 2" and taper to 1" at the arm sync.  The view below is when I fold up the cuff to show the chiffon overlay. Very cute.

The pattern recommends a longer invisible zipper but I only have this 20cm normal zipper in the right color so I just use it. Anyway, I was able to wear it over my head still. But I got some issue with the instruction as it calls for the zipper to be inserted after sewing the side seams. It would have been easier if I sew the zipper first, imho.

But, I still love the tunic. It hit the right length at my hip. Since it was a dress down friday, I pair it with my jeans. I tried to pose like the model but I've got a long way to go. Maybe I should wear a sling bag, no?

That's all for the poses. I had to rush off to work and fetching the younger one to childcare. Maybe I will take proper photo of this tunic outdoor someday.