Allie Jackson

sewing & style

Snow Leopard Tunic (+ Giveaway!!)

I am a big fan of Sarah of Goodbye Valentino\’s \”luxe preppy\” handmade wardrobe. I followed along eagerly as she tweaked and tweaked her ideal tunic a while back, so I was excited last year when she announced she and co-author Julie Starr would be writing a book focused on tunics! I was even more excited when Julie emailed me to ask if I wanted to try it out. Um, yes!

I\’m sure you\’ve heard all this before, but The Tunic Bible provides one tunic bodice to which you can add various sleeves, necklines, and hem details to come up with about 72648 distinct looks. I love my tried-and-true patterns (see my million copies of Simplicity crop top and multiple versions of Simplicity 4475), so this seems like such a good idea to me! (My own book, were I asked to write one, would be a billion different variations on a fit and flare dress, in case you were wondering.)

It took a long time for me to narrow down what I wanted to make–I thought about going full tunic and making a blue and white Sail to Sable-inspired number–but eventually I decided I really wanted to stretch the limits of the book and go a little bit off track (as I am wont to do), making the dress-length option with the ruffled collar (from the book), elasticating the sleeves (not in the book), and adding a little black velvet tie at the neck since we\’ve seen a lot of that on the runway recently. Why not, right?

I cut a size small, grading the hips to a medium, and I made it in this black-and-white animal print from imagine gnats which is super soft and drapey. It\’s not too visible in this unstructured fabric, but I definitely didn\’t need to grade up the hips. I\’ll certainly be making more tunics, and next time I\’ll start by making a muslin and using the fitting tips in the book, since I want to get the fit perfectly before I start with all the modifications!! Julie and Sarah said they\’ve made a combined total of about 60 tunics of all diferent styles, and I still want to make a couple of more colorful tunics to wear with white jeans next spring/summer. (I guess I also need white jeans.)

My only critique is that there is only one bodice onto which all the various pieces are applied–so if it doesn\’t fit you how you\’d like, you\’re left making a lot of alterations in order to use the pieces! They do have a section on making a muslin, but given how many sleeve/neck/etc options they included, it would have been nice to have included several bodice options, for example, a princess-seamed front bodice as well as the darted bodice provided. Overall, though, I love all the options and a tunic is a perfect \”blank canvas\” for adding your personal style. I mean, if you want to see how flexible this single pattern is, just look at all the wildly different makes on the Tunic Bible website and on the tour!!

October 3 C&T // Pattern Review 
October 4 Cloning Couture // Generation Q Magazine
October 5 Oonaballoona // Featherstitch Avenue 
October 6 allie J. // Thanks I Made Them 
October 7 Sew Busy Lizzy // Jennuine Design 
October 8 Inside The Hem // Girls in the Garden 
October 9 Sew Manju // My Love Affair with Sewing 
October 10 Evolution of a Sewing Goddess // Creating in the Gap 
October 11 House of Pinheiro // The Tunic Bible 

If you\’re inspired to start sewing tunics, leave a comment telling me what type of tunic you would make below for a chance to win a copy of The Tunic Bible from C&T publishing. Super preppy? 70s boho? Edit: This giveaway is now closed.

xoxo,

allie
ps: these pictures were taken at our local science museum–they have these wonderful outdoor installations, this one is called Sweetgum Thicket.

allie J.
this post may contain affiliate links.

Comments

  3. I have a striped Oxford cloth, blue stripes on cream, that will make a great tunic. The placket and cuffs will be cut on the bias. I can even chevron the placket in the front. Your take is very individual and contemporary, while still with a 60s vibe. Well done!

  7. I love the idea of making a super preppy tunic – a la Lilly Pulitzer! I've been hoarding a pink and turquoise linen in my stash for months and it would make a great tunic 🙂

  10. the ruffles framing your face are lovely… I have tried and tried to get a tunic to fit me. I gave up but I think I need to try again and use the fitting help in the book. I would sew up a navy blue linen tunic to wear with white jeans. I bought the jeans last spring but I never made the navy tunic.

  11. Loving how very different all the participants' tunics look, which is the whole point of a blog tour, but still… amazing. To your question … Ideally, the first tunic would be the version with the short v-neck and three-quarter sleeves plus contrasting fabric on neck/wrists/hem. Also, many thanks for the candid and interesting observation about bodice options. — ldp

  14. I think I need to read the whole book first before I decide. I am a wash and wear person so I love cotton-polyester but you look great.

  18. I would definitely make a cocktails-on-the-lanai sort of Hawaiian print caftan-type tunic. And then start shopping for a plane ticket to get somewhere warmer…

  19. I want to make a super preppy tunic. Blue and white strips kind of thing.

  20. Ooh I would love to make a boho tunic in a fun floral to wear as a dress or on my way to the pool as a cover up next summer! Love the versatility of the tunic!

  27. Your version looks great, Allie! I'd probably do something just above knee length and try to make it from a strikingly printed fabric. It would also be fun to try a style I've never tried before.

  28. There are SO many options. I would do a dress type first of something fun. Which means a trip to the fabric store!!Ksmith8@emich.edu

  30. I'd like to make something similar to a sheer Indian tunic I had several years ago, although my embroidery skills aren't up to the embellishment of the original.Your dress is really pretty! You look like you've stepped out of the 60s.

  31. Tunics are the best for winter – I have some black linen with a hint of silver, and I'm thinking boat neck with some sort of side split. Very cool sculptures!

  36. I guess I would start with a long sleeve version, it is getting pretty cold where I live. I do love many of the different styles in the pictures.

  40. Love your tunic. I am anxiously awaiting my book which has been on order since May. I plan to make a number of variations, especially one with the ruffled v-neck and bell shaped sleeves.

  42. I think I would make a tunic from some tencel fabric that I have in my stash with some embroidery on the front. The tunics on the blogs are inspiring.

  45. I love linen tunics. If I win a copy of this book, I would like to make a summer dress variation with antique bronze coloured trims.

  47. I personally love a boho look but seeing all the versions is so inspirational. My main goal in learning to sew was to make the perfect tunic so this book is a must have for me. Thanks for the chance to win!

  51. I have to say I like your print, so I'm thinking something similar…although a nice plaid would be nice too…so many choices!! I'd love to win a copy of the book, so thanks for including me in your drawing!!

  56. I have never made one, but one of my RTW tops is a tunic so I'm sure I would get lots of use out of it. I would go for the dress length, possibly sleeveless since I'm in a warm climate. kathyhills22 (at) gmail.com

  59. I love your backdrop here! I've been to (and actually taken blog pics) at the botanical garden in Chapel Hill that has similar structures. I bet they're by the same artist. Anyways, I think that I would make a knee-length 3/4 sleeve tunic out of a cozy ponte for the fall/winter.

Copyright © 2024 Allie Jackson · Theme by 17th Avenue