Sewing Project

Not sure if this is domestic or crafty but thought I would share a very easy sewing project.

Linen Tunic I by sea95lion, on Flickr
Linen tunic inspired by Italian Ren camicie and little girls' pillowcase dresses. To take on vacation and wear over bathing suit, tank top & leggings, or as a nightie. Raw edges are intentional.
Start with two rectangles the width of your fabric by 24-30" depending on whether you want a shorter top or a longer tunic. The "hardest" part is pleating the center of one long edge front and back. I left approximately 8" at each end unpleated. This could simply be gathered.

Pleating by sea95lion, on Flickr
Pin front and back together at the top corners and sew about two inches at each end to create shoulder seams. Pull thread to gather down to about an inch. Then pin short selvage edges together. Leave approx. 10" open at the top to form arm holes. Sew down the side, leaving edge exposed on the outside of the tunic, to hip length leaving the bottom few inches unsewn. (The length of the unsewn vent will depend on the overall length.) Have fun belting and embellishing as you please.

Linen Tunic II by sea95lion, on Flickr

Linen Tunic IV by sea95lion, on Flickr

Linen Tunic V by sea95lion, on Flickr

Ooh! Maybe I could make this for when I go to the Ren Faire next summer!

this is lovely! I used to sew all the time and then friends would want this and that and I got too many things that I HAD to sew and never sewed for me or because I wanted to, kinda ruined it for me. But this is def. inspiring!

that is fabulous Cindy! I love how versatile it is.

So pretty!!!

Thanks. It seems like eons since I've pulled out the sewing machine and make anything. It felt good.

It's gorgeous!

that is lovely Cindy!

I.wish.I.knew.how.to.sew
My Simple Singer sits on a table mocking me.

Kaymcee wrote:I.wish.I.knew.how.to.sew
My Simple Singer sits on a table mocking me.

Being cheap was my motivation to learn! I was very upset when I bought some expensive "custom" garb for the ren faire and, even after going back for alterations, it didn't fit properly. I went with the "If you want something done right, do it yourself!" philosophy, did some research, and started with patterns highly rated for very thorough instructions and an acceptable level of historical accuracy. (I still mostly sew garb rather than "real clothes".)