Sewing

Make It Perfect Pattern Parade: a linen Poppy Tunic + a giveaway

July 15, 2014

Linen Poppy Tunic

I’m very happy to be joining the Pattern Parade from Make It Perfect today. If you’ve been following my blog for a while then you’ll know that I haven’t sewn very much for myself. I learned to sew because I wanted to make clothes for my boys so it’s taken me a while to make the jump. I’m still not quite there but two posts in a row of things for me isn’t bad. I was delighted when Toni asked me if I’d like to join her tour though – signing up to sew women’s pattern is the perfect way to push myself. Toni has a wide range of patterns for women and children and if you read on to the end of the post you’ll have a chance to win one. It was really easy to choose the Poppy Tunic as I’ve considered buying it a few times before but there’s a few others I like the look of.

Linen Poppy Tunic

The pattern has options for a tunic and a dress. I’ve been craving a new summer dress so went for that option but would love to add a couple of tunics to my wardrobe later in the year. I used Robert Kaufman yarn dyed Essex linen in black for the main fabric and a lightweight cotton cambric for the contrast. The latter is called ‘Shine Green Coral‘ by Atelier Brunette and I bought it from M is for Make. I’m not sure why I’m sharing my source because I want to buy the whole collection! Promise you’ll save some for me, ok?

Linen Poppy Tunic - close up

Linen Poppy Tunic

The pattern is well written, concise and easy to follow. I chose to make a medium based on the size chart. My chest tends to measure in a smaller size than my hips so I made sure that it would be wide enough on the hips before I cut into my fabric. I did make a couple of changes to the pattern…

– I lowered the front neckline by 1cm at the front centre and graded it to the original pattern line at the sides. I am a bit funny about wearing things that are too high on my neck and wanted to make sure I’d be happy wearing this.
– I added 1/2″ (the amount of the seam allowance) to the side and bottom of both the front and back chest inset pieces. I then sewed them chest inserts in with regular seams rather than binding and stitching down
– This meant changing the order of construction a little – so I sewed the front shoulder pieces and chest insert together, then the back shoulder pieces and chest insert
– Sewed the bottom of the contrast band on with a 1″ seam allowance instead of folding and pressing the bottom of main fabric before attaching the band
– I added inseam pockets in the side seams. I’m always more likely to wear a dress if it has pockets.

Linen Poppy Tunic - back view

I absolutely love wearing this dress and have had it on a lot since I finished it. I wasn’t sure whether the relaxed fit would suit me but I really like it and it’s so comfortable. It’s really light and airy for summer but would also be perfect in winter layered with a long sleeved tee, leggings and boots. Next time I will try and bring up the bottom of the armhole a bit as they are just a bit too big for me. Otherwise it’s great.

Linen Poppy Tunic

All these photos were taken on Sunday when we walked along the river from Beaulieu to Buckler’s Hard in the New Forest. I’d like to say a big thank you to my husband for taking them and to my friend Toni-Maree who generously offered to edit them. I have been trying to improve my photography and have recently started to find out more about post processing. Toni-Maree is a lot further along this path than me and I absolutely love her edits, she is very inspiring to me.

Linen Poppy Tunic

Don’t forget to check out the other posts in the Pattern Parade, so many talented bloggers are sharing what they’ve made during the month.

MIP Pattern Parade Button

The Make It Perfect Pattern Parade Virtual Catwalk introduces…
A Happy Stitch // A Lemon Squeezy Home // Behind the Hedgerow
Craftiness is not Optional // Craftstorming // Cut Cut Sew
DoGuincho // Film in the Fridge // Girl Like the Sea
Horris & Deedle // Glitter + Wit // Imagine Gnats
Janelle Wind // Made with Moxie // Miss Matatabi
No Big Dill // Noodlehead // Probably Actually
Sanae Ishida // Sew Charleston // Sewing in No Man’s Land
Skirt as Top // Stitched Together // The Drapery 
Things for Boys // Zaaberry

Linen Poppy Tunic - back view

Toni has generously offered to give a free pattern to one of my readers. This is open until 2pm BST on the 23rd of July. I will notify the winner by email after this date. Good luck everyone!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

* The pattern was given to me for free. All opinions are my own.

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35 Comments

  • Reply Sameeha July 15, 2014 at 5:26 pm

    Love the poppy tunic pattern! Love your version.

  • Reply Carla G July 15, 2014 at 5:50 pm

    The Essential Shorts as I desperately need some more shorts. Love your version of this pattern — the fabric is awesome! πŸ™‚

  • Reply fenna July 15, 2014 at 6:06 pm

    love the zipit dress–I’ve had it pinned for years!

  • Reply Olga July 15, 2014 at 6:10 pm

    You look so pretty! this looks awesome on you, the fit the colors suit you really well.

  • Reply Heather July 15, 2014 at 7:42 pm

    Looks great! I would love to win the Mini Poppy πŸ™‚

  • Reply jeanine July 15, 2014 at 7:45 pm

    I’d pick the shearwater kaftan

  • Reply Kimberly July 15, 2014 at 8:04 pm

    i LOVE the honey shirt and the shearwater kaftan!

    • Reply kim July 15, 2014 at 11:44 pm

      forgot to mention that i LOVE the poppy tunic, but i already have it from the perfect pattern parcel #3 <3

  • Reply Faith July 15, 2014 at 8:34 pm

    Poppy Tunic!

  • Reply mary July 15, 2014 at 9:16 pm

    Your tunic looks great, the fabric choices are gorgeous. I am on a fabric fast but I still might have sneaked a look over at M is for Make!
    I can’t decide between the Honey Blouse and the Waterfall blouse!

  • Reply Tanya July 16, 2014 at 12:51 am

    I would love to make the mini poppy version for my daughter!

  • Reply Jennifer R July 16, 2014 at 1:37 am

    I love the poppy dress/tunic!

  • Reply sorahart July 16, 2014 at 2:14 am

    I would choose the Poppy pattern too!

  • Reply Cindy July 16, 2014 at 2:14 am

    I love the Poppy Tunic. Thank you for the giveaway.

  • Reply Renee July 16, 2014 at 3:02 am

    I love that you’re sewing more for yourself Laura – this dress looks great. Perfect for the summer. Your photos are fantastic, such a beautiful setting.

    I’d have a hard time choosing a pattern, but I think the essential shorts or the shearwater kaftan would be the ones I would choose from πŸ™‚

  • Reply lauradodson July 16, 2014 at 3:49 am

    I love this tunic and Honey Blouse…maybe you can try that one for your next “sewing for you” project. πŸ™‚ The dress looks lovely on you, great job!

  • Reply Amy McDonald July 16, 2014 at 8:42 am

    Poppy tunic, poppy tunic. I love the colours you chose, although being from Aus it is hard to imagine wearing a dress right now!!

  • Reply abby @ thingsforboys July 16, 2014 at 10:08 am

    This dress looks so gorgeous on you! Lovely and relaxed looking, but still polished. Beautiful photos!

  • Reply metka July 16, 2014 at 11:27 am

    i would like to win a coastal breeze.

  • Reply Nancy W July 16, 2014 at 1:55 pm

    Seeing your poppy tunic had inspired me! I want to make one now ☺️

  • Reply Mie @ Sewing Like Mad July 16, 2014 at 3:08 pm

    Laura you look so SO amazing in this dress and SO comfortable at the same time – perfect combination, right πŸ™‚ And the photos are sooooo good – way to go you, your husband and Toni-Maree – you make a great team πŸ™‚

  • Reply Ami-May July 16, 2014 at 3:20 pm

    I just love this, you’ve sold me on this pattern, I love your fabric choices.. and It really suits you.. I would love to win it… If not I’ll be buying it for sure.

    Amii-May
    Stitching Insane
    http://www.stitchinginsane.blogspot.co.uk

  • Reply victoria mccomber July 16, 2014 at 3:22 pm

    I would love to win the Poppy Tunic and sew up a storm, nice work.

  • Reply nicola July 16, 2014 at 9:59 pm

    Great dress! I’d love to try the shearwater kaftan.

  • Reply Angela Fitzgerald July 17, 2014 at 2:09 am

    Ooh, love the changes that you made. You can never have enough pockets! I have also coveted Toni’s creations for a while. I think if I had to choose it would be between the Waterfall blouse or the Poppy Tunic.

  • Reply Gill July 17, 2014 at 1:46 pm

    The Shearwater – either for me or the mini version !!

  • Reply Tina July 18, 2014 at 3:13 pm

    I really like the color block inserts on your tunic!

  • Reply Inder July 18, 2014 at 11:02 pm

    It looks so great on you!! I absolutely love your fabric choices here – perfect. (I share you weirdness about things too high on my neck, btw. I can’t wear turtlenecks at all, only loose cowl necks or softly draped scarves. It’s good to know I’m not alone in this idiosyncracy!) Good for you, sewing for yourself! You have such incredible sewing skills, I know you’ll be making more for yourself and enjoying that challenge. πŸ™‚

  • Reply michelle July 19, 2014 at 12:09 pm

    Love this, looks great on you!

  • Reply michelle July 19, 2014 at 12:11 pm

    LOL So distracted commenting on your dress forgot to say would love towin the Big mini poppy!
    THanks

  • Reply Erin July 21, 2014 at 3:20 am

    Laura, this is so lovely on you! Also, you’re adorable. I’ve been wanting to make the Shearwater for myself πŸ™‚

  • Reply Sara R July 21, 2014 at 9:43 pm

    Shearwater kaftan looks delightful and breezy, and I bet you could make it with heavier material for winter too…!

  • Reply Bec July 21, 2014 at 9:54 pm

    I would love the big mini poppy. The cute little girls version of this gorgeous ladies pattern πŸ™‚

  • Reply Toni Coward July 27, 2014 at 11:19 am

    LOVE your Poppy Tunic Laura – it looks great on you! Hope you get lots and lots of wear out of it. Thanks for joining in the parade. x

  • Reply Celina July 28, 2014 at 6:21 pm

    you look amazing and the dress is awesome too. I love your fabric choices. The photos are perfect too! Yay to more sewing for you!!!

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