The long awaited tunic try-on has arrived! Those of you who have been following the transformation of Vogue 8090 from baggy jacket to fitted tunic deserve a look at the reveal. Here is what it looks like on a hanger:
How about a close-up of some of the edges that don’t get a facing:
First I sprayed/drenched the serged bias back panel edge with spray starch and folded it on itself twice to make a narrow hem.
Using linen allows me to make the inside the actual outside now that it looks like a small binding on the sleeve hems and back panels.
For the shoulder seams I used a cotton fusible interfacing that comes on a roll:
All we need now is a real body ….Nancy, my model has arrived! Ta Da…..
We pinned out 1/2 inch on the side seams and added her usual shoulder pads and it looks like it is ready for the real machine stitching, loads of top stitching and facings. She admits that this pattern is not her best look but after all the adding of horizontal wedges and neck darts it comes pretty close to fitting and flattering after the initial muslin. Soon I will share the finished garment photos and she can wear it with pride and lots of things already in her wardrobe with that cool button.
I had to share a gift I received from a bride this week after spending 7 hours remaking her dress. The message on the box was so nice even before opening the lid:
and what was under this?
Something special:
It really says the client appreciated all the hard work and thought that went into this gown and it’s two 5 point bustles…maybe you will remember when I opened up every seam of the “perfect size 10” gown
Stay cool this week now that summer is truly here!
fit for a queen 
Isn’t is nice to be appreciated? Not that we always need a gift, but I know this made you smile:)
What a lovely gift. I can see that the jacket fits *much* better now!
The tunic is really shaping up and looking good. How lovely that the bride sent you a gift. So thoughtful!
So deserved! Lovely gift.
Oooh, how nice. Lovely tunic and so nice to be appreciated! It’s the thought that counts, but that teacup is sweet!!
What a lovely thing for your client to do! How nice for your hard work to be appreciated. Great tips here, as usual: must grab some spray starch (great idea!) and loved that fusible narrow interfacing! Is there some sort of secret “we have all the really cool tools” club where everyone knows about all these really neat, time saving tricks & tools? If so, please please make me a member!
Really appreciate all the helpful tips!!!
xoxo
I wish there WAS a blog or website where a person could see and buy all the cool tools…ha ha. Of course we don’t all NEED all the cool tools but you know once we see them…we WANT them! Living in a small rural town we have very little resources so I rely on the web for the tips and tricks and keep on the lookout for things to make my sewing life easier and faster. Like I could have used plain old twill tape but the fusible just shouted out from it’s place on the shelf…”USE ME”. Thanks for dropping by!
Great to see the finished product, and your beautiful professional fit (and of course, sewing skills). I’m inclined to agree with the client that it is not a particularly flattering style, but it fits so well now, and I have learnt a lot about fitting from the exercise, so thank you.
That gift and the thoughts accompanying it were lovely, and remembering the incredible amount of work involved in that particular dress, I’m glad the client appreciated it. I have very occasionally had flowers from grateful clients, and it is such a nice surprise.
I must try and track down that cotton fusible tape online. It sounds really useful. I have something similar which I use to reinforce the fold at the end of sleeves (to stop stretching) when I shorten them, but it is quite flimsy and therefore has limited usefulness.
Thanks for all the tips!
The link I gave for the cotton tape takes you to the woman who mails it to anyone. I buy her thin red topped pins as they are so valuable when pinning on white garments so none of them will be left in a seam or folds of fabric on the wedding day…ouch! Thank you for your nice compliments, Trish…you make magic in your sewing studio too!
I love reading every post you write. I learn so much just from probably what you consider casual sewing conversation. Time to buy some spray starch! I am intrigued with the bustle you sewed. Since it has a sheer layer overlay, how did you tack the overlay to the solid layer underneath?
Each layer, the lace and the satin, were treated separately so each had 5 buttons and loops. Normally the lace and satin are sewn together at those pick up points but the train was very long and the bulk would have been just plain ugly like having a duvet attached to her butt. This way the bride could leave the satin bustled and use the long lace down for her entrance. Thanks for checking in, LeeAnn!
Thanks! That was helpful!
Both dress and jacket looking good. I hope you have time to enjoy a cup of tea in that lovely new cup!
We import Earl Grey from the UK so it will be put to good use!
What a fabulous job on that jacket. The customer must feel like a million bucks going out in that custom made beauty. I know I would. I’m so glad you are appreciated and what a lovely surprise.
Gold stars to the client for going the extra mile too.
OH and you are not to look at my blog next week, because I’m working on one of those patterns from the book and I KNOW that the loose lagenlook style is going to make you crazy…:)
Looking forward to a new lagenlook creation! I have to just hold my tongue! You may see this jacket wandering around Fabric of Vision…you never know.
how lovely to get appreciated – sure you deserved it.
I’m so grateful your client wanted you to do this jacket, and you posted about it, because I can tell that even with your excellent skills this isn’t going to be what I want at all. Thanks a bunch for saving me the time and trouble!
My pleasure, ha ha, it is not the best pattern for narrow sloping shoulders but with shoulder pads it just about looks OK.
It is really coming together! That is amazing, and I so want to raid your toolkit! I also nominated your for a blog award and want to thank you for all your wisdom and advice. I really enjoy reading your blog! Check it out: http://sewingforme.wordpress.com/2013/06/27/for-me-how-awesome/