Turquoise Ikat Print Tunic Vogue 8913

I am so into the high low thing this year!  I found another tunic pattern that has it. This one is from Vogue 8913.   I used a gorgeous Turquoise Ikat Voile that we have at SewBaby this time. We also have it lavender and lime green, which is tempting me too. 

You can see that it really is quite long in the back.  I don't think I've ever had a top quite this long!  I didn't lengthen it and it hits me about mid-thigh. 

This picture is the version with an extended sleeve which I didn't do.  This is a super easy pattern.  I eliminated the front upper/lower bodice seam because I didn't want to mess with my print.  That would be a nice touch on a solid though.  I cut a bias strip for the neckline binding, instead of using the purchased bias tape.  This is not hard to do.  I will try to take some photos next time I do it, as I think it is a much nicer finish.

I'm not sure how to sit with it.  If I don't sit on it, it won't wrinkle so much, so I think that's what I'll do.

I used the medium in the shoulder, and the enlarged the sides to be equivalent to a Large, since the pattern doesn't include medium and large together.  But, now I think it's too large.  I may go in and chop it back to a medium, but I'll wait until I wash it a few times to see if it shrinks any. 

The first time I wore it, which was to the grocery store, a random shopper came up to me and complimented me on my top and wanted to know where I bought it.:)

Thanks Vogue!  Another winner in my book for the tunic.  I don't know that I need any more high low tops now, but I definitely can recommend this pattern. 

Hi Low Voile Tunic

 I can't believe I completely missed posting in May!  May was a super busy month with my middle daughter, Serena, graduating from college; my youngest daughter, Alyssa, going to France, graduation parties, and wrapping up the year at my elementary school job.  Whew! 

I have been itching to sew something for myself for weeks, but wasn't sure what.  I got a catalog in the mail from Soft Surroundings, and I really loved the styles that they presented.  Lots of  simple cotton voile tunics with interesting details like unusual hems. These retail for an average of $70, and I could definitely beat that by making my own.   I knew that we just got in a beautiful shipment of cotton voile for SewBaby, so I shopped my shop (yes, this is the perilous part of being a fabric shop owner- you wouldn't believe the stash that I have!), and found this lovely Aqua Voile.  I had just bought Vogue pattern 8821 and decided to try it out in the voile.

This top pattern has gorgeous lines in the back.  I did not lengthen it, and I am 5'9", so keep that in mind if you are shorter.  It is pretty easy to sew- it does involve quite a bit of narrow hemming to go around the bottom.  I cut a bias strip of self fabric to finish the neckband, instead of using purchased bias tape.  This is much softer, and easy enough to do.

 I had a suspicion that the cotton voile would shrink, so I cut a little more fabric than the pattern called for.  I'm glad I did.  The width shrunk from 60 to 54, and my 2-1/4 piece shrunk to just a little over 2 yards.  So, if you are ordering any, please do allow for shrinkage.  The fabric is heavenly though.  Just so soft, and a lovely drape without any cling. 

Love, love, LOVE IT.  I highly recommend the pattern for the top.  And I will definitely be making more of these for summer.

We're in Threads magazine!

Earlier this year, I had the pleasure of working with Sarah McFarland, of Threads magazine, on an article about our sewing studio makeover.  Last summer, we transformed our shipping area into a classroom for local community education sewing classes. 

Sarah wanted to share that transformation with the Threads readers, and when she found out that I had my own sewing space which was an entirely separate room, she thought the readers would want to see that too!   Today, I just received my issue in the mail with the complete article, and I couldn't be happier with it.

This is a fantastic issue with lots of wonderful articles, and I'm so honored to be included in it.  The complete interview is online here:  From Drab to Decorated.  For the "before" pictures, you can see my original blog post here. 

Run, don't walk, to get this great issue!  Then, go to page 75 to see my smiling mug, and my artificially clean sewing room!  I'll have you know that after the photo shoot was over, I went on a big sewing spree, and completely made a mess of it once again.  It was lots of fun to be a part of the process and see the hard work that goes into an article like this.  Thanks,Sarah!

Happy Sewing!

Ann