Sunday, 28 February 2016

Style Arc Lu Lu Tunic in Hot Pink Linen


Style Arc Lu Lu Tunic
The Style Arc Lu Lu Tunic has been languishing in my pattern stash for quite a while. I don't know why it has taken so long to get around to sewing this up. Now that I have made it I can say that I am quite pleased with how it turned out. I used this light weight linen purchased from Tessuti at Surry Hills about a year ago, during my first and only visit to this lovely fabric shop.

Style Arc Lu Lu Tunic
I cut my usual size 12 in Style Arc which worked out fine. I did lengthen the bodice by 5cm, which I later removed as it turned out way too long (This turned out to be much harder than it should have been). The pattern was perfect as it was. I did make a couple of other changes to simplify the construction process: The back bodice was cut on the fold and the back slit and button and loop closure were eliminated. The neckline opening is quite big enough to get the top on and off without any trouble.


The other change I made was to construct the neckband and sleeve bands as instructed, however I attached them simply by overlocking both the raw edges to the openings which worked beautifully. As the bands are 2cm wide there is plenty of width to hide the overlocking. Much less fiddly than attaching each layer separately and stitching in the ditch, as instructed.


To be honest, I could not make head nor tail of the instructions for the band at the bottom of the bodice. I found the written instructions and the instructions on the pattern pieces to be contradictory and I really had to scratch my head for a while. I ended up deciding to cut a pair of both the front and back bands and then treated them the same way as the sleeve and neckline bands. I sandwiched them between the bodice and lower skirt sections and overlocked all the layers in one go. Sounds simple if you do it correctly. Unfortunately I attached the band inside out so the the side with the under stitching (flat stitching) showed. Out came the seam ripper. All turned out well the second time.

Pocket and band details
The mitred corners on the skirt pieces were very well drafted and came together very well. I wore my new tunic to work the day after I completed it with my purple ponte Colette Mabel skirt, but it kept getting caught up on my hips and just felt too long. So...out came the seam ripper again, and I removed the skirt and the waist band and trimmed off 4cm of length from the bottom of the bodice. I then reattached the waistband and the skirt pieces back to front. The skirt was longer at the front...not a good look. So out came the seam ripper again.


I think I made the construction of this tunic much harder than it needed to be...anyway I'm sure the next one will go together without any silly mistakes.

Happy Sewing

21 comments:

  1. I thought I held this week's world record for seam ripping. I am tired just reading about the efforts this tunic put you through :). However, I never would have guessed it had come within a mile of such a tool. Your outfit looks stylishly casual and beautifully cool.

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    1. Thank you kbenco. I'm annoyed with myself for making the silly mistakes, but glad I persevered and fixed them. The linen is lovely and cool to wear.

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  2. What kbenco said! So worth the effort though. I absolutely love everything about this cute top.

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  3. I love a hot pink linen, this looks great on you. Patterns are often easier second time round.

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    1. I recall admiring your hot pink linen Sophie dress last year Barbara. I love all the jewel tones and working with linen is fairly new to me, but I love it too. I agree the second time sewing a garment usually goes much better than the first time. Thanks for your lovely comment.

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  4. If there's a contest for seam ripping.......could be an idea for a new blog - What I ripped out instead of what I sewed!
    Lovely top, vibrant colour and just the right length now.

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    1. Thanks Ruth. It was worth persevering as the top works so much better at this length.

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  5. Pretty top! You look great in vibrant colour :)

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    1. Thank you Hana. I am always drawn to the vibrant colours.

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  6. I am glad I am not the only one intimately acquainted with the seam ripper lately! Your top was really worth it though. I admit I used an overlocker finish on the sleeve facings as well. I didn't with the neck but it was so fiddly to fit I ran out of patience with the sleeves.

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    1. I can't see the point in making sewing harder than it needs to be. I always choose the easiest method if I can. The end result looks just as good. I am really happy with my new tunic top and it was worth all the effort. Thanks Andrea.

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  7. Oh goodness, your seam ripper really had a good workout. Still, perseverance has paid off - the top looks lovely. And just the right colour for you. I agree, doing things your own way is often the right way - why make life difficult? Tried and True is best in my book too :)

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  8. Well thank goodness it looks so lovely on you, after all that effort! Hot pink is a terrific colour on you, and I really like the layered look of it. Very chic :)
    btw, I think you've put a "@" in your blog title when commenting on my blog, because it always comes up with a phishing warning when I click on it... I just thought I should let you know. I came to your blog through another way :)

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    1. It was a relief that it turned out well in the end...after all that extra effort of my own making. Thanks for your lovely comment Carolyn.
      Thanks for letting me know about the phishing warning...I am a bit of a technophobe...no idea really. Hope I have fixed it now.

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  9. Hard work for a simple top - but it looks great. A nice shape for such a strong colour and perfect with the white trousers.

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    1. The hard work was my own silly fault...however I am pleased with the top. Thanks so much for your very nice comment.

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  10. Oh my your perseverance has certainly paid off with the perfect summery top.

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    1. Thanks Sharon. I'm glad it turned out ok in the end after all the extra work.

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