Monday, August 4, 2008

Tunic, Amy Butler Pattern

I'm not going to brag or anything, but I won a pattern. An Amy Butler pattern! I finally sat down to sew it up and here's how it turned out:


Now if you can ignore the lack of ironing (I'm really bad about such details) you'll see that it actually fits me. I consider this an absolute triumph -- as patterns hate me -- and my husband actually said, "It's cute." (He might have learned a lesson in diplomacy after my last project.)

Here's what I estimate I spent on the project:

Pattern = free (Thank you finny and donk sew along)
Amy Butler fabric = about $14 -- I used about 1 5/8 yards and I paid about $8 a yard
Lining fabric = about $2 -- again, I didn't use much and I bought the symphony broadcloth at joann's for $1/yard
buttons = $1.60
thread = I had some

TOTAL = in the neighborhood of $18

Here's a few thoughts I have about the pattern itself.

1. It's pretty simple if you're not simple minded. I myself had a simple-minded, if not absent-minded, moment in which I thought the front was the back and the back was the front. So, I couldn't get my pins to all line up. But it was midnight and I was a little tired -- in my defense. After a good night's sleep the problem became painfully obvious to me and I whipped out the rest of the tunic in minutes.

2. The neck, or yoke, or collar, or whatever you'd want to call it could be assembled in an easier way, I think. I think it would be easier to iron 1/2 inch allowance around the bottom of it, before you sew it on. Then just sandwich the tunic body in between the two layers of the yoke. Just a thought... if you're going to try it.

3. Sizing is great with Amy Butler. There are none of the usual problems with patterns... high waist, too short, etc. But I did envision that the yoke would cover a bit more of my arm. I made the cami from the pattern, but I think it's plenty long. I think I'll try the dress of this pattern, next.

4. I didn't even bother with the flower brooch and belt that is outlined and accounted for in cutting instructions and materials. I'm just not that kind of girl. But I do think I'll make the flower brooch eventually, perhaps for something else, like an embellishment on a tote bag.

5 comments:

Alissa Nicolau said...

Your tunic is lovely. I am very jealous of your sewing abilities. I checked out the 4 seasons quilting site and there is no way I can participate. Unless they'll maybe swap something knitted. . .

I have to admit that I am a lurker on the Belnap site. I found them through randomly searching blogs on blogger. I have left them a comment to let them know that I lurk. They haven't responded to my lurking! It's weird to admit to lurking peoples lives who I don't know at all. Even weirder to admit this to you since you are their friend, listed in their sidebar. I don't normally check out peoples sidebars but your name Hooli caught my attention. I thought is was interesting and clicked on it.

If it makes you feel any better about my lurking, I did comment on your blog right away. Haven't been lurking long! Oh, I suppose I lurk on the Belnaps blog because they are LDS and have a cute active boy like mine. Now you know.

Beth said...

I love Amy Butler patterns and this one looks super cute! Might have to try it....

Katlyn said...

I am totally jealous of your crafting (yet again)! I have been neglecting my own lately and I need to get back to it. Maybe a craft day will help. I still want to get some more info on your beach towel cover ups too...

Claudia said...

I think it is lovely, and I LOVE the fabric! Good choice! Adam said he would get me a sewing machine for my birthday, but each time I check this blog, I realize that 1) I don't understand half of what you're talking about, and that leads to 2) I have a lot to learn! I guess I need to take lessons...

Anonymous said...

Your tunic is way cute! Thanks for the details on the pattern, its always great to hear how they actually work out. The only top I've made so far is the Built By Wendy top which everyone and their grandma has made! :)