Light Summer Tunic

You know already. But I’ll say it again: If you came here today looking for inspiration on children’s garments  – move on. Because I made something for me!

Frida and Mom

The tunic is from a Danish sewing magazine, called Ingelise (now Alt Om Håndarbejde – Symagasin, and no longer online) – issue #6, 2008. I like the pattern, but to be honest, I guessed my way through the instructions, which does show in the yoke area – but luckily mostly on the inside. Maybe I just need more routine sewing (of course I do), but as I don’t have problems following instructions from Ottobre or Onion, I tend to blame the instructions on this tunic specifically. Not a big deal, though.

Light Summer Tunic

The fabric I used is a light weight cotton that I purchased online long ago from another sewer – it fitted the purpose beautifully. The yoke, button loops, and buttons are made with white linen. In general, I really love linen – also when it’s just part of a garment, it tends to give such a nice calm look.

Light Summer Tunic

The button loops scared me a bit, and the instructions didn’t give me much to go on, so I turned to the internet for a bit of assistance and found this tutorial. I didn’t do the paper backing, but used the pictures as a guideline, and also a comment below on how to turn the tubing for the loops came in most handy!

Light Summer Tunic

I did make a very simple blouse for myself last year, but this is the first garment I made for me, with a little more shape and details to it. And hey, I’m pretty happy with the result!

34 comments

  1. Lara says:

    It looks absolutely lovely Astrid! Beautiful combination of stripes and linen, and it looks very well sewn. Glad to hear that your little one is recovering well too.

  2. Hanne says:

    Jeg kan levende sætte mig ind i, hvad du har været igennem.
    At skrive en velfungerende sy-vejledning er en kunst….og Oscaren går til Vogue-Patterns.
    De kan skrive/tegne en sy-vejledning, så man kan lave selv de mest komplicerede ting og teknikker uden problemer.

  3. Maria says:

    Such a lovely tunic! I love the fabric combination. Ottobre instructions are so well written, I never have problems with them, but I often have problems with other magazines.

  4. Melissa says:

    Wow, beautiful sewing! I love the buttons and loops – very inspiring for spring. I only wish I could read the pattern myself and I would try in in a heartbeat.

  5. Carla says:

    Well done Astrid! I am so inspired by your sewing. I’m just learning to sew, and like you I’m starting with clothes for my children and hope to move on to something for myself. I love the photos of your girls. Glad they are doing well 🙂

  6. Medrie says:

    Love your tunic — I always think that covered buttons look so dressy! It’s wonderful to hear that Frida is recovering so well after her surgery. She looks like the very picture of happiness.

  7. Mor(mor) says:

    … og du har (endnu en gang) god grund til at være stolt af dit værk!
    Dejligt billede af dig og Frida.

  8. Astrid says:

    Lara – thank you! 🙂

    Millie – that’s a very sweet thing to say – thanks!

    Ruth – And I can always count on you to back me up – that is so wonderful! 🙂

    Melinda – Thanks! 😉

    Brande – excactly, calm! It is, isn’t it? Thanks!

    Sandra – Yes, she is doing well, and more so every day! Thank you!

    Hanne – det er sjovt, for jeg har lige tegnet mønster af fra samme blad (hvor klog er man så?) til en sommertop, og jeg kan allerede nu se, at der også er instruktioner, som jeg ikke forstår. Er det ikke utroligt? Jeg har altså syet en del det sidste år, og ALT er syet efter instruktioner… Nå, men jeg må vist forsøge mig med nogle Vogue-mønstre… Tak for tippet (dem har du altid mange gode af – det er skønt)! 😉

    Maria – I agree on the Ottobre instructions – I might even start subscribing to the adult patterns, because I know they will be well drafted and described. Thank you for your kind words! 😉

    Linda – thank you so much!

    Melissa – it may not matter much that you can’t read the instructions… 😉 No, seriously – thanks!

    Jenny – thank you, girl! 🙂

    Jacqui – well it’s only fair that I should give a touch of inspiration back, considering all the inspiration I get from your blog. Thanks! 🙂

    Anne Dorte – LOL, det var altså ikke så tosset – sådan at være bestået! 😉 Tusinde tak for din søde kommentar!

    Carla – I love that I am able to inspire girls like myself – really makes it worth my while! Thank you so much – have fun sewing! 🙂

    Medrie – I always value your opinion because you are such a skilled seamstress! Thank you so much! Frida is a very happy girl – she had a downturn with the surgery, but it’s wonderful that she has bounced back! 🙂

    Megan – Thank you! I can’t wait to see what you come up with (because I’m certain I’ll see it on your blog, right!) 🙂

    Mor – Tak skal du have! 🙂

  9. Liz says:

    Hi Astrid! How I wish I could sew like you!

    I just wrote about your lovely blog in our Blogs of the World section. Also I used one of your photos. It is labelled as yours but if it’s a problem please let me know and I will remove it.

    All the best and congratulations on your beautiful blog!

  10. Astrid says:

    Kristine – tusinde tak, og en dejlig weekend til dig også! 🙂

    Liz – I don’t mind at all, on the contrary, I really appreciate your kind words and the mention in your site! I have been sewing for little over a year, so I bet you would be able to pick it up pretty quick as well! Thank you so much! 🙂

  11. dana says:

    Oh Astrid,
    It’s beautiful! And you’re beautiful too. Lovely shot of you and Frida is darling.
    What amazing talent you have with the details. That button work is very impressive!

  12. Astrid says:

    Fiona – you’re sweet, and I am actually really happy with it – thanks! 🙂

    Liz – LOL 😀

    Marina – tusinde tak altså! 😉

    Dana – *blush* thank you! Really!

    Iinu – Thank you so much! 🙂

    Natalie – I really appreciate it – thanks!

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