The Tunic Bible has been published!
Welcome to day 2 of the blog tour. I met Sarah online through her Ready-To-Wear Fast project. I’m thrilled to present my interpretations of the tunic. At the completion of the blog tour, each of the sites will host a book give-away. In order to be entered please leave a comment before midnight October 9 and you will be entered in the drawing. The winner will be announced at the end of the tour.
The first version used a mid-weight linen and was lined/underlined with lightweight cotton/silk voile. My construction order differs slightly from the one in the book. I completed the front facing first; then stitched darts in each layer; finally joined the face fabric and lining to be handled as a single layer.
I also added extensions at the sides to provide support for the heavy trim. Hems were mitered and all seams bound with bias binding made from the lining fabric. The excess beads were removed from the ends before turning the edges under. The edges looked a little unfinished, so I cut an additional piece of trim, folded it to form a narrow edge, and stitch in place.
The next version was constructed from a saree I had worn to a wedding. I couldn’t see myself wearing it again but the fabric was a beautifully embroidered silk with an interesting decorative border.
I arranged the border as the placket and used a narrow band of trim around the placket and collar. The lining/underling was handled the same way with darts sewn first and then the two layers of fabric handled as a single layer. The seams were bound with bias strips of the lining. Loads of hand sewing, but this is the world of couture!
Here’s the schedule for the tour: Enjoy!
The Tunic Bible Blog Tour Schedule
October 3
Pattern Review www.patternreview.com/blog
October 4
Cloning Couture www.cloningcouture.com
Generation Q Magazine www.generationqmagazine.com
October 5
Oonaballoona www.oonaballoona.com
Featherstitch Avenue www.featherstitchavenue.com
October 6
Allie J www.alliemjackson.com
Thanks I Made Them www.thanksimadethem.blogspot.com
October 7
Sew Busy Lizzy www.sewbusylizzy.com
Jennuine Design www.jennuinedesign.com
October 8
Inside The Hem www.insidethehem.com
Girls in the Garden www.girlsinthegarden.net
October 9
Sew Manju www.sewmanju.wordpress.com
My Love Affair with Sewing www.myloveaffairwithsewing.com
October 10
Evolution of a Sewing Goddess www.evolutionofasewinggoddess.blogspot.com
Creating in the Gap www.creatinginthegap.ca
October 11
House of Pinheiro www.houseofpinheiro.com
The Tunic Bible www.thetunicbible.com
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May I be the first to say these are two of these most gorgeous tunics I’ve ever seen? !!
The tunic goes couture is completely inspirational and brings a wonderful dimension to our book! Thank you, Mary 🙂
Thank you Sarah. The tunic is perfect for so much variation and experimenting with embellishments of all sorts. I’m looking forward to seeing what other bloggers come up with.
Beautiful tunics, thanks for posting!
Gorgeous – I have some sari silk that would work well with that idea too!!! Must find it! 🙂
HAve fun with it. There are so many interesting things you can do with the fabric designs and borders.
First time I have commented on your blog: these are stunning! Beautiful work.
Thank you. I enjoy seeing your projects also.
Mary, you have really taken tunics to a whole new level! I am completely blown away!! Both are gorgeous, but the one you made from the sari is absolutely stunning. This is really inspirational! Thank you!!
Thank you. I had fun deciding how to cut the fabric. So many choices of how the sari could have been used.
Your tunics are beautiful! The name you choose for your blog seems very appropriate.
Thanks. I do try to capture the essence of couture sewing.
Gorgeous! Both of them—I’d been on the fence about the book, but now I’ll probably get it.
Thank you. Maybe you will be the lucky person to win the free copy. Have fun creating tunics.
I really love the way you finish your garments; you pay attention to details and you go the extra mile to make them look high end and, well, haute-coutured! Very smart and chic choice of fabric and trims, love love love!
Couture level sewing isn’t the fastest but it certainly elevates your work to another level. Thank you.
Beautiful designs. I’ve just begun learning garment sewing and have jumped right in. I work in an elementary school and want to make a bunch of fun tunics to wear. I’m really looking forward to this book.
Tunics are a wonderful beginner project. You can make them as easy or complicated as you like. The tunic is a wonderful canvas to experiment and learn new techniques.
Those tunics are gorgeous! I am completely inspired!
Thank you. Glad you are inspired to create your own versions.
I love the trim on your tunic!! I’m excited to be introduced to your blog!! Thanks for the chance to win a copy!
Thank you and good luck with the drawing.
Beautiful!!!! Really well thought out too!
Thank you. I hope you are inspired to create your own versions.
Just beautiful work!!
Thank you for reading and hope you enjoyed.
Gorgeous!
Thank you.
Beautiful tunics — inspiring me to want to make one!!
Thank you. I’m glad you are inspired.
Hi! I just found your blog through this book tour, and I’m going to follow it. I am sort of new to sewing, but I am interested in learning about couture sewing. The idea of slow-sewing high-quality garments is pretty intriguing. I knew this book was coming out and I sort of dismissed it out of hand, but seeing the different interpretations of this basic pattern is making me reconsider my original position. I really liked seeing how you created fancy tunics.
Thank you and I’m happy you found me. Any garment, however simple, can be elevated to couture status. It’s all in the finishing work and fit.
These tunics are gorgeous. I hadn’t thought of a tunic as being a couture garment but you have shown me how wrong I was. As you replied to an earlier message, it seems you can make them as simple or as couture as you want to, if you are capable. I love your work (and Sarah’s and Julie’s too) but I am a very different shape. I wonder if a tunic shape would suit me
I think the tunic shape will suit everyone; the trick is to spend the time to perfect your master pattern. Once done you never have to duplicate the work again. I’ve noticed your fitting woes and tried to send a comment but it didn’t go through. Will try again.
Thank you
The nice thing about a tunic, other than covering up all the bits of the body we don’t like, is the fact that it lends itself to creative versions. Your trims are very interesting and handled so well. Tossing in lots of hand sewing and linings really makes the difference from everyday clothes to heirloom.
Yes, tunics cover a multitude of figure issues and can look wonderful on any body. The hand sewing and customizing makes a huge difference.
Wow! Your tunics are beautiful! I will definitely be using your techniques to create some high quality garments in the future. Thank you as always for the detailed pictures! I have so much to learn!
Thank you Kati. Enjoy creating your own versions.
Beautiful Tunics! What an inspiration. I love the sari!
Thank you. The sari fabric was fun to work with.
Stunning tunics!! I especially love the black with that gorgeous trim! I have not made a tunic in years but am quickly becoming inspired!
Thank you. Both had been sitting in the stash for awhile and doing this post inspired using them together.
Absolutely beautiful!
Thank you.
Stunning tunics! I especially like the black with that gorgeous trim! Makes me want to sew!!
Many thanks. I’m happy you are inspired to create your own.
The sari fabric and how you used it is fantastic.
Thank you. It was a beautiful piece of fabric and I was happy to have found a use for it.
Wow. These are spectacular tunics. They really tap into the traditional zeitgeist. I too have some sari fabric that I will be making into one or two tunics – or more, ha, ha (as you know, they include several meters of fabric, so there is a lot to go around!). I like seeing how you use the decorative portions. Nice to find your blog too.
Thank you. Yes I have tons left over, probably enough to make another completely different design.
The examples gave me so many ideas for variations, which is probably the point of the book. Very inspiring.
I think that was the idea of the book; present many variations and serve as inspiration for your own versions.
New to your blog and looking forward to seeing and reading about the other projects you’ve been working on. These are stunning garments. — ldp
Thank you. I hope you enjoy reading my past posts.
Thank you. Not sure why your previous comment didn’t show but I see it now.
I think my original comment was eaten! Thank you for this inspiration! New to the site and can’t wait to see what else you’ve been working on and creating. — ldp
Wow – I’m so impressed with how you sewed the tunic from a saree. It’s very inspirational! Both garments turned out beautifully-
Thanks. Glad you liked them.
Beautiful work!! I can’t wait to try my own!
Thank you. I hope you are inspired to create your own versions.
Absolutely love your choices and your construction techniques!
Thanks. They were fun projects.
Your couture tunic is gorgeous! So inspirational!
Thank you. Hope you are inspired.
I love the trim details on both your tunics. They are gorgeous.
Thank you. The trim makes them and it was fun deciding how to use trim.
Lovely tunics both of them, but I especially like the sari version.
I had always intended to use the sari as fabric and this was the perfect choice.
Beautiful! I am really enjoying seeing so many different interpretations of Sarah and Julie’s tunic pattern. Looking forward to the arrival of my copy of The Tunic Bible.
Thank you. Maybe you will win the free copy. Good luck and glad you enjoyed.
I LOVE your version of the tunics–can’t decide which one I like better! Great tailoring!
Thank you. There are so many options for this pattern.
I’ve not thought of doing this for myself but the black refashion is so sophisticated and inspiring… But both are very lovely and most wearable,
Thank you. They are very comfortable and easy to wear. Love following your blog.
I’m a new follower of your blog. Wow, so pleased to find it. These tunics are gorgeous. I’m rethinking tunics now, as I had not previously considered that style of garment. Thanks for the inspiration and I hope you enjoy wearing them.
Thank you and I’m glad you found me. I hope you enjoy reading the previous posts.
Beautiful tunics!
Thanks. Glad you liked them.
Love the black tunic. It looks like it is just fun to wear!
Thanks. Yes they are very easy wearing outfits. Have fun creating your own.
These at both just beautiful tunics! They are honestly the prettiest I’ve seen. You’ve convinced me! Thanks. 🙂
Thank you. Glad you are inspired.
Thanks for the opportunity
Good luck. I’ll announce the winner on Monday.
Only one word for you tunics! Stunning! Your work is outstanding! Love your blog!
Thank you and I’m happy you enjoy my blog posts.
What beautiful tunics! I especially love your use of the sari. I am looking to make a dress out of one myself and you’ve just provided the perfect inspiration. Now all I need is the pattern!
Hope your turns out wonderfully.
Beautiful! What a perfect way to showcase both fabulous trims and fabrics.
The tunic seems to be a perfect canvas for many variations. Thank you.
Waiting for my book- this would be a wonderful win!
Good luck.
These are fabulous!
Thank you.
Lovely!
Your tunics are stunning! I am so excited for this book release!
Thank you. Maybe you will win the free book.