Tuesday, July 12, 2011

Tunic Trouble


The internet never fails to spur my creativity.  I stumbled upon a few images of Amy Butler's Anna Tunic Top pattern in vintage fabric and decided it was worth a try.  Now I know I have said this before but I am always amazed at the price of these patterns.    My mind was made up so I coughed up the cash and settled in at the sewing machine.  


It really didn't look all that difficult.  A few illustrations were drawn for each step.  I felt rather comfortable.  


This fantastic hanky like fabric is a vintage find from Etsy.  I love the sheer weight and the breezy pattern.  Perfect for this pattern as it calls for lining the bodice anyway.


Then came this yoke collar that just had me in fits.  Constant pinning and resetting.  Making sure not to catch the under fabric.  Seams that didn't match up had to be re-sewn.  After I did finish it to my liking it ended up being quite tight under the arms.  Grrrr!


These are the oh so cute details that drew me to the pattern.  Vintage buttons and fabric tabs.  Make the back stand out.




Hip hugging belt with bow to give it more shape.  


Probably won't be picking up another Amy Butler pattern anytime soon.  For the price I could have gotten a few Simplicities with a lot more directions.  This was not as true to size as I had hoped.  
(It ran too small)  
  Or I should steer clear of yoke collars! 

10 comments:

Melissa Mickelson said...

I've seen this pattern and I've always wanted to try it. Im glad you did and now I know that I shouldn't! It still turned out cute! Mine probably wouldn't have. :)
http://moms-theword.blogspot.com/

birdie blue said...

it's adorable, my friend. love the vintage hanky weight fabric. after all that work, and it's too small? that would send me right over the edge...

maybe save it for your daughter? a few clever tucks, and, voila, a stylin' dress.
xo
~molly

Sewn With Grace said...

Oh it is darling but I know what you mean about Amy Butler patterns! I have taken classes to sew some of her bags and I can tell you that I couldn't make those bags again to save my life. Hardest thing ever and expensive. By the time I got done with the bag I had invested over $100 in materials and the pattern. Not worth it!

GardenOfDaisies said...

It was beautiful fabric! Sorry it didn't turn out as you had hoped. You should send your blog post to the company. It is honest feedback and they need to hear it.

Mary said...

It looks beautiful, I'm sorry it's not true to size. The fabric is out of this world.

Musings from Kim K. said...

Such beautiful fabric. Your sewing skills always astound. I'm sorry it didn't turn out as you had hoped. I'd be awfully disappointed after spending so much time into that investment. Hugs!

Anonymous said...

How sad because it is absolutely darling. I love the pink floral print. I grew up using store bought patterns, so I can get sort of confused with directions from off-brand patterns, too. I am thinking of starting my blog over in blogspot. Do you think it's easy?

Mimos da Claralú! said...

Hello Renee!
I went to say hi and I was delighted by the news of your blog. As always, very beautiful. Congratulations!
Luciana (Brasil)
www.mimosdaclaralu.blogspot.com

Nan said...

OH I can relate Renee. I have fits with almost everything I sew and I sew a lot!! Always a challenge for me even a simple thing ends up with something about it that challenges me. Right now I'm working with a 1950 pattern and it calls for putting the lining all in by hand. Good gosh I guess I'll have to as it's not made to do differently.

donna said...

I love how it turned out. So sorry it was not true to size.
Hug,
donna