Gallery Tunic

Pattern: Liesl + Co Gallery Tunic

Fabric: Robert Kaufman London Calling--Periwinkle cotton

Notions: light interfacing for collar and cuffs, 4 1/2" buttons for cuffs

Time to complete: a couple evenings

So, I recently saw that there was a sewalong offered for this pattern, and since I already had it, and hadn't yet taped it up, I thought "why not?" and this jumped to the front of my to-sew pile.

I had originally purchased this fabric to make a sundress out of, but thought that might be too girly, and instead used it here.  I flat-out swapped the fabric I'd planned for a shirt with this, and now that's set aside for a sun dress. 

A not-too-girly sundress, but that's another story.

I made the long-sleeve verson with the collar in the shirt length in a size 8, and my only adjustment was to shorten the tunic by 2 inches.  Everything went together easily, and the sleeves are a great length.  Here I have them flipped up over my sweater sleeves, but they look nice buttoned, too.

Yep.  It's got green (check), and blue (check).

On the other hand, I think I need to stop saying I don't wear floral prints.

I purchased this fabric at KC Modern Makers in the fall, and it is nice.

It's from the Robert Kaufman London Calling line, and mental note to self--it's a good light-weight cotton for shirts. 

On a completely unrelated note, I was trying to get pictures done before the link up on the Oliver + S blog closed.  I missed it, but I still owe a big thank you to my sons for taking pictures for me.  We were able to negotiate a fair trade involving going out for pizza, which I think counts as appropriate compensation.

In addition, they snapped many a great gem, including, but not limited to:

"Let Me Tell You a Secret..."

"

"I Want to Be in the Picture, Too  (But Not Really)"

"You Can't Make Me Be in the Picture"

And my two personal favorites: 

"Exhibit A" ...

...and "Exhibit B".

Hope your February weather is as nice as ours right now!

The One in Which I Realize I Am not a Petite French Woman

Details:

Pattern: Pauline Alice Carme

Fabric: gray cotton voile

Notions: 5 3/8" buttons, 4 5/8" buttons, extra light interfacing for collar only

I have lusted over this pattern forever.  

Is the pintucks?  Is it the placket at the neck?  Is it the sleeve tabs which make it not so girly?  

Is it...the girlyness?

linked to source

I don't honestly know, but I remember loving it when it came out, pinning it to pinterest, and coming back again and again to sigh about.  Maybe I just secretly want to be Pauline Alice.

In any case, I did it.  I bought it, I downloaded it, and I jumped in with both feet.

And then I realized I am not a petite French woman.  (Spanish woman?)

I'm Midwestern.  And you'd think at 38, I'd know that by now.

But, hey, a girl can dream, right?

First off, the pattern went together perfectly.  Everything matches up well.  Directions make sense, pdf went together easily, etc.  I, however, am not perfect.  But I have decided I'm worth perfect fit.

So, me and Carme: we're close.  Tinker-y close.

An extensive list of personal alterations:

• lowered front neckine 1".  Adjusted collar and placket accordingly.
• 1/2" forward shoulder adjustment at shoulder line only.
• 1/2" broad shoulder adjustment.
• extra 1/8" ease added at fold line when cutting out the back piece
• 1/2" dart taken out of side front strap on muslin to pinch out extra fabric at top bust. (Ends up rotated out of seam where front placket meets shirt front...)
• Lowered armscye 1/2" to add back in ease.

That said, I'm so glad I got this pattern.  I LOVE the way it finally turned out.  The length is perfect, the sleeve length is perfect, and it is just loose enough to be comfortable while still being fitted.

I actually love all of Pauline Alice's patterns--they're a good mix of modern with vintage details, slightly feminine, and peppered with interesting details--and would love to try more.

Pauline Alice has a sew-along and youtube videos to help with construction here, although to be honest, I didn't really use them.  Her instructions are pretty and concise, and I may have imagined myself drinking coffee while sitting in a street-side bistro in the golden sunshine while making this. 

Which is weird, because I don't drink coffee.  

But still, a girl can dream, right?