Well January was a bit of a wash out for me – after spending several days in bed with the flu and then a couple of weeks fully recovering, my sewing took a big hit. I had planned to work on samples and class notes for workshops during the ‘Festive Perineum’ but none of that happened, so I started the year behind and my personal projects just had to wait! We’re also in the process of buying/selling a house at the moment and a lot of my time is being taken up with dull AF admin, but I managed to set aside a few hours last week to sneak a project over the finish line before the end of the month.
I decided to do another term of pottery classes this year and thought the Sew Liberated Studio Tunic would be the perfect project to bring my two interests together, so I added it to my #makenine2023 plans. My Christmas present from my husband was 2m of Boston Fall linen from Merchant and Mills which I had picked out for my tunic – it’s really similar to the sample Meg is wearing and I am always drawn to lovely autumn colours like this. My husband also printed my pattern and instructions for me to go along with my linen, so I was all set to get sewing!
I decided to make view B of the tunic in a size 4 and I’m really pleased with the fit – it easily goes over jeans and jumper for colder days in the studio but it’s not so roomy that it’s going to get in the way. The pockets are absolutely enormous and I love the smaller pocket too – perfect for keeping my car key and cash safe while I’m getting covered in clay!
If, like me, you are a fan of a well-thought out, clean finish, then this pattern is definitely going to flick your switch! From the French seams at the yoke and sides to the way the interfacing is stitched to the facings before it is fused, everything has been designed for a very tidy sew. I love investing my time in each stage of making a garment like this and then appreciating my efforts every time I pull it on – it’s so satisfying and rewarding.
The linen was lovely to sew with and it suits the tunic perfectly, although I won’t be wiping my grubby hands on it quite as freely as my ready-to-wear apron! I can imagine finding the tunic really useful for my other hobbies of baking and gardening too and it would make a fantastic gift for someone, so this probably won’t be the only version I make.
Even though January wasn’t the best, I’m so pleased I managed to make some time to do some sewing for myself and I’m delighted with my finished tunic! I can’t wait to wear it to the studio on Monday and give it a proper test-drive. Recently, I have been working on trying to make ceramic pin dishes and I have a batch to trim and another to glaze, so my tunic will definitely be put through its paces!