This is the shorter version. There is also a longer tunic option.
I strapped on my ice pack and took a handful of advil* and made a School House Tunic. I'm sick of not being able to sew or bend over my work table, so now I'm just into pain management. I really need to raise the work surface in my craft room to waist height in order to avoid straining my deteriorating spine. I feel like my age-o-meter ticked over to 40 and WHAMMO the whole thing's stuck in kernel panic. But I digress.
I really like this pattern. Very easy to sew. I clenched a little at the set-in sleeve, but after getting all worked up about it I didn't even have to ease it in. It fit perfectly.
I'm not sure about my choice of lightweight gingham. I'm also not sure I wouldn't have been happier with the tunic length rather than the shirt length. I'd like to try it again in nicer fabric, perhaps as a dress.
I cut out the size 10. It was too loose in the body and a tad too tight in the shoulders, as per the usual with patterns for me. It is still wearable because of the very forgiving nature of the open front. I ended up taking some tucks in the back waist to soak up some width.
I entered it in Made By Rae's Spring Top Week 2010. I know it won't win anything, there are some really fabulous tops in the group. But my goal is accomplished. Thanks for the heads up, Juliette. If you would like to enter one, you have until April 30th to submit.
*not really. this is humorous hyperbole.
Love the fabric, love the length, love the fit. I want to make one now.
ReplyDeleteI really like the length. I guess for you the waist might be a bit to big since you are thin. For me it would cover my problem area nicely. I hope you feel better soon. Back ache sucks.
ReplyDeleteI think it turned out really nice. I even like the black gingham. Take it easy...I hear you on the age stuff. I hit 35 later this year, and I can tell things just don't work quite like they used to.
ReplyDeleteI think it looks great! Very flattering. It's breezy and comfy looking in a sophisticated way. I think I might need to buy this pattern :).
ReplyDeleteLOVE IT! I could nicely cover my fat too. Don't over do it. I don't want to come over there and find you flat on the floor with the girls decorating you with paper flowers!
ReplyDeletePerfect inspiration for me today! I got a load of fabric in a couple of weeks ago and my plan for the day is to make me a top for the festival this weekend!
ReplyDeleteThat pattern is on my list to make - I loved seeing how yours turned out. I'm having a hard time choosing fabric so it's fun to see it made up. I'm not sure where you live in Atlanta (I live a little on the south side of tiwn) but did you know that there's an atlanta chapter of the Modern Quilt Guild now? You should come!! :-)
ReplyDeleteHey, everybody! Wow, thanks a lot! You guys are too kind as usual. I'm glad it has inspired some to grab the pattern and get to it.
ReplyDeleteThanks also for the get well wishes and commiseration! I went to PT for the first visit today and she was very optimistic! God is good.
Bethie, I'm not sure the girls would be covering me with flowers. More like raiding the cookie jar.
Darcy, I'm on the south side too! Where does the quilt group meet?
OK, maybe we should talk! It's meeting next weekend at Whipstitch Fabrics on Marietta ST (they have a blog and a website and an etsy store) it's easy to find, near FLIP if you've ever been there for a burger. Meeting is Sunday from 1:30 TO 3:30. They also have had meetings at Intown Quilters - its the first Sunday of the month, if you can make it one month that would be fun!
ReplyDeleteI really like the pattern, and I've always wondered how it would look made up (seen it elsewhere on the Net). The gingham is cool - I would love to have something in gingham too. Get well soon.
ReplyDeleteI bought that pattern recently, but haven't made it up yet. Yours turned out great!
ReplyDelete~Jenny~
I love this...love the length and the fit! I will def. have to try this pattern. You always make me buy things I don't need ;)
ReplyDeleteThat is sooo gorgeous! It looks amazing on you. I'd totally wear that.
ReplyDeleteYou know how when you're eyes "pop" and you feel that "awhh" feeling... when you first see something that "works for you".
ReplyDeleteThis was it, for me. I love it. Maybe it's because it's been on my mind to make something (shirt/blouse-wise) for me, myself and I, for once. ;)
Very nice!
The Tunic turned out very nice and looks good on you as well. Makes me want to break out my sewing maching!
ReplyDeleteYour top turned out terrific. Sorry about your recurrent pain problems. My dad ended up raising his desk at home so that he could stand and work. The spine! Can't live with it, can't live without it! I hate to be an enabler when you shouldn't be sewing, but I love your blog and all your sewing projects!
ReplyDeleteI really love this top and want to try it more and more each time I see someone make it!! It looks great on you!
ReplyDeleteI like the tunic, the shape looks great and the fabric looks nice to me!
ReplyDeleteGet well soon and listen to your back - when it needs a break I mean...
what a beautiful end result - I wanted to share with you my hack for raising my work table. I am six foot tall and nothing is the right height for my back... and although I can't do much to my kitchen counters, I find that those little bed risers work wonderfully on work tables. You can find them at places like Bed Bath and Beyond. I spray painted mine to match my home office. Hoping that might be a useful tidbit for you.
ReplyDeletegah! lovely lovely lovely!
ReplyDeletei've been on the edge whether as to buy this pattern, you've just pushed me over.
hope your back is back to fab soon!
I love it!
ReplyDeleteYou are an amazing seamstress. I will admit that of all the tops made of this pattern you wear it the best, bad back or not.
xoxo
I love it! Such a great tunic!
ReplyDeleteI have a weekly Thursday blog party especially for people to share things they've made to be worn. Stop by if you'd like!
Andrea @ TheTrainToCrazy.com
I really love this top and blogged about it a couple of days ago over here: http://sycamorecorner.blogspot.com/2010/05/more-tops-i-love.html with a link back to this blog - hope that was ok! I've been following you for a while now so thanks for all the inspiration! Feel better soon - Carolyn
ReplyDeleteGreat tunic!Maybe I will buy this pattern too!Thank you for sharing it!
ReplyDeleteLove the top! As for the table height issue I had the same problem. I bought bed raisers from Walmart ($7) that fit under the 4 legs of my work table and raise it up about 6 inches. Much better for cutting fabric and such and I can remove if I need to sit.
ReplyDeletesew@homemom, I did the same thing with the risers too. Only they can't come off that easy, my table is long and is always loaded down with 50 lbs worth of stuff. So I just got a barstool instead for when I want a perch. Works pretty well.
ReplyDeleteI finally made this top but in dress length. I like it and it fits well but it is a tad snug in the bust area. I do like the fabric you choose and cute in the shirt length. Nice job!
ReplyDeleteYour tunic is my favorite style so far of all the tunics I've seen. It looks so comfy. You did a beautiful job, thank you for sharing!
ReplyDeleteHey, Deanie! Wow, thank you!
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