What a fun pattern and gorgeous fabric for this tunic to play around in during a recent trip to New Orleans. The city is nicknamed “The Big Easy” and I would say the same for this pattern! It was fun to consider various ways to highlight the border print on this beautiful viscose challis from Italy available from Elliott Berman Textiles (@EBTfabrics). Interior studio photos were taken at the fabulous Papermaple Studio in New Orleans (@papermaplestudio).
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RV-7858W Border Print Viscose Challis, Italy
PATTERN: To highlight the unique border print accompanying this fun floral center I chose Butterick 6900 (Misses’ Caftan) View A. The pattern is constructed with simple lines while some shaping is offered at the waist with the drawstring or elastic detail. Because the fabric has a lot of print happening, I did not add the collar per the pattern, but instead drafted a neckline facing and turned it to the outside!
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PATTERN ALTERATIONS: If you’ve read my earlier posts, you know that I always do a high round adjustment at the neckline on the back pattern pieces. This makes every garment hang properly, rather than pulling to the back. Even on a very loose-fitting garment such as this, I always make this adjustment. I also dropped the placement of the elastic casing to below my bustline for proper shaping. And finally, I adjust for length (I’m 6’1”) whenever the pattern and yardage allow – and I did so on this pattern. I think it’s a nice “bracelet” length on my arms.
KKSEWING TIP: I finished the raw edge of the neckline facing with a wide dense serger stitch all around. I like how the exposed facing gives your eye a place to rest along the border print and it frames my face.
KKSEWING TIP: I would like to give a shoutout to my sewing buddies. They helped me drape the fabric several different ways to determine the best use of the border print. They also supported the idea of the exposed facing at the neckline. One of the best things you can do to improve your sewing is to create your own group of sewing buddies to share information on fitting and construction, and to give positive feedback on design choices.
Happy Sewing, Kathy
@KKsewing