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Tunic Top #3- Khaliah Ali pattern


For tunic top #3 (my husband is calling them tuna tops, BTW), I chose a Khaliah Ali pattern, Simplicity 2634.  If you aren't familiar with Khaliah Ali, she is the daughter of Muhammad Ali, and fashion designer of plus size clothes and patterns.  She's collaborated with Simplicity patterns to produce a really great line of plus size patterns.   I graded it down to fit me, as I thought the design was just great, and it wasn't available yet in the misses size range.  The top has a belt and pleats under the bust.

For the fabric, I chose a silk chiffon print from Anna Sui   It wasn't difficult to work with at all.  I have several silk chiffons that I'd been avoiding, thinking they would be hard to deal with like the polyester chiffons that I"ve worked with in the past.  Not so.. this pressed easily and sewed like a dream.  It took about 3 yards of fabric, at $6/yard so with pattern and bias tape included, this is about a $21 top.

I did make several changes to the pattern to make it quicker and easier to sew.   First, I eliminated the facings, and bound the neck edge with single fold bias tape.  To do this, I changed to order of construction, so that the center front seam wasn't sewn up until the bias tape had been applied.  I also cut the back piece and lower front piece on the fold  There didn't seem to be any reason not to, and with my sheer fabric, I wanted as few seams as possible.
I'm really happy with the end result. It works great with the turtleneck for winter, and equally good with a cami for warmer weather.

Comments

  1. angie.aNovember 28, 2009 at 6:45 PM

    I've had this pattern pulled and staring at me for a few weeks now! I"m so happy to see your beautiful version!! Good to know about the silk chiffon. I run across these online once in a while, but was afraid of them too. What's the care instructions if you don't mind my asking? Is it dry clean? I'm so lazy about dry cleaning! HAHA!!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Ann BrodskyNovember 29, 2009 at 7:59 AM

    Hi Angie!
    I haven't washed it yet, but I've heard that you can hand or gentle machine wash it in warm water with a little shampoo with good results, so that is what I'm going to try. You aren't supposed to put it in the dryer though, so I would roll it up in a towel.

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