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!!
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,
I love seeing all the different versions of tunics and love your belted version! Can't wait to make my own!
Your option expands the boundries of a tunic, great job. I want to make something with an eased fit from some blackwatch plaid wool.
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!
I would look for something easy and flowing to wear with leggings
I'd go for something classic, though maybe maxi length.
I plan to make a fitted version with some excellent trim and use fabric from my stash!
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 🙂
M first one is going to be a woolray knit—like St. Johns—in a classic navy with red and white trim. Your dress/tunic looks great!
I would probably make a midi version 🙂
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.
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
I love how different yours is compared to others I've seen. And it suits you!
Adorable!I did a double-take when I saw your photos. It looks like you're in my neighborhood! (https://modernreston.com/wp-content/uploads/2030/04/Patrick-Dougherty-sculpture-Reston-Town-Center-06.jpg)
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.
Wow – love your leopard tunic – very nice!!! I am a Boho sort of gal myself! 🙂 mumbird3(at)gmail(dot)com
Wow – love your leopard tunic – very nice!!! I am a Boho sort of gal myself! 🙂 mumbird3(at)gmail(dot)com
I'm slowly turning into more of a 70's chick, so probably a maxi tunic with a bold placket!
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…
I want to make a super preppy tunic. Blue and white strips kind of thing.
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!
Beautiful fabric and your dress length tunic looks great!
I am leaning toward a maxi -tunic mash up!(bajjmayerAYaolDOTcom)
Summer is coming over here in Australia, so I'd be making a dress length tunic in something light and cotton or linen.
I would like to make a black silk version for the fall!
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A summer look!
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.
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
So many choices but I think my first would be to do a Tory Burch inspired tunic in probably a linen.
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.
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!
A simple wax cloth one. Thanks for the opportunity
I'd like to make a classic
I'd make something a bit edgy – with some pleather details and a bit of bling.
I really want to make one similar to the pink/navy illustration, although I'm liking yours!
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.
I like the dress version!
Sweet! This is a great version of the tunic!
Your version is so pretty! I really like your fabric choice.
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.
That's the beauty of this book— I don't have to choose just one style of tunic to make.
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.
I would make Velvet long sleeved version, ideal for Christmas parties.
Would love to win. Thanks for your review!
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.
My first tunic would be a classic style using a Kaffe print. mfhagopian@aol.com
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!
Oh I Invision a ruffled collar like yours, but with a blue floral early print!
Oh I Invision a ruffled collar like yours, but with a blue floral early print!
After finesseing a muslin, my 1st project will have to be plaid flannel, long sleeves ruffle collar to wear with jeans and boots.
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!!
Sorry, I didn't include an email address (anniewannieannie@gmail.com)…thanks again!
Some sort of wintery tunic I think…..maybe in a fuzzy-ish fabric. elkedoring@gmail.com
I think something warm for a cold Scottish winter.
I do not know yet as I have never made a tunic… I'd love to try all of them.
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
I would make a maxi tunic for the holidays.
I would make a 3/4 sleeve tunic with black silk and golden beads!
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.
Who was the lucky winner of The Tunic Bible?