Sew Lisette Portfolio Tunic

Even though my sewing list for the children is pretty full, I wanted to sneak a little something for myself in there as well. I recently ditched a lot of my clothes using the KonMari method and whilst I now have a very streamline wardrobe, it has some huge gaps. Namely something tunic length to wear with jeans. 

The seasons are turning now. Glimpses of red leaves and a bite in the morning air means that autumn is on its way. My criteria was simple. Tunic length, with sleeves and pockets. Cue the Lisette Portfolio!

Apologies if you don't have this pattern. You won't be able to get hold of it now unless you are willing to part with good money. I don't mean to taunt. Liesl & Co came up with the Cappuccino Dress and Tunic pattern to fill the gap left by the Portfolio so go take a look...

I made View B with no alterations. This is the first time I have made the longer view and I really regret not making it before. It is perfect! I am already planning another because this will fit right in to my everyday wardrobe. Over the next few months those pockets will hold a lot of tissues, club monies, keys, hair bobbles etc. The perfect mum uniform!

I wanted something that could blend in with other items so I chose this speckled fabric from my stash. The fibres are unknown but if I had to guess, it is suiting weight with a possible linen/poly mix. It certainly frayed a lot when I was making it so all those edges are overlocked. 

It has a really lovely slub linen effect with the black flecks and I am glad I found a use for it.

When using button loops, I prefer to choose shank buttons because they are already raised off the fabric and it is easier to fix the loops over properly. These are a misty grey-black colour and the perfect size. Thank you Nan for the big box of mystery buttons!

This is quite a quick sew because you don't have to set in any sleeves. The kimono style sleeve drops nicely over the shoulder and is finished off with either cuffs or a longer sleeve piece. I was tempted to add the longer sleeves and think I will on my next one.

The cuffs add a great finish though and are roomy enough for layering underneath with a long sleeved tee if desired.

One thing I did on this tunic that I should have done when I made the top version is to sew down on the top of the cuff. I stitched in the ditch of the under arm cuff seam to secure it down but because my stitches sank down into the fabric and were near invisible, I did the same on the top at the centre. The cuffs on my other one always flip open when I am wearing it even though the top of the cuff is tacked down. Stitching it down should make that more permanent and less likely to flip.

School Sewing Round Up

My bi-annual sewing of grey and white has been completed! 

The school uniforms are all done until a growth spurt hits next year. Hopefully.

My youngest started school this time around and has benefited from all the hand-me downs so nothing new for her but Boo required quite a bit. I cheated and bought the PE kit for them both this time. Although it seems I forgot to buy a jumper for Boo so need to fix that.

I used these patterns for her:

Vintage Simplicity Blouse 9564

Simplicity 4264 Skirt

Oliver + S Music Class Blouse

Oliver + S Hula Hoop Skirt

Oliver + S Lunchbox Culottes

Make It Perfect Big Uptown Girl Jacket

This is the vintage blouse pattern. A bit of a wildcard as I haven't made it before, but I did a muslin and the fit was spot on. I have made the size 10. 

I already adore the Music Class blouse but when I saw this pattern I couldn't resist those tucks!

The only thing I would change is the sleeve length. My pattern was missing the sleeve piece when I came to make it. When I bought it, it was there, so I can only assume it has found its way into another pattern envelope. So I used another pattern piece that was a close fit. The actual sleeve looks shorter on the picture so need to adjust that if I make another.

The skirt above is the 4264 in a grey ponte knit which is divine quality. Also out of stock where I ordered it from which speaks volumes! Why didn't I buy more! The fabric requirements are actually a woven but I wanted to make her a knit version for comfort.

The waistband is concealed inside the yoke. Great for a streamline look but if you want to get back in to adjust the elastic, better get that stitch picker ready!

On to the Lunchbox Culottes and Music Class Blouse. Solid favourites to sew and wear.

The culottes have about 4" taken off the length to be more practical for school. These are very appreciated in winter because of the added warmth. Last year she wore her 2 pairs in near constant rotation.

Throwing in a cute photo of the girls in their Oliver + S skirts. L is wearing her Music Class skirt which is hands down my favourite school skirt pattern. Those pleats! That hidden pocket!

I know I will make one for Boo with the fabric I have left over. Just not right now. I am done with the greys!

I love the curve of the collar on the Music Class blouse. Isn't it sweet and girly?

I also made the Hula Hoop skirt, however, despite adding 2" of length it is still too short. She wore it once with some shorts underneath (O+S Playtime shorts actually), but I couldn't stop checking her hemline. This one is for 'oops I forgot to wash the uniform' emergencies only!

See? Too much leg. Daddy wouldn't be happy.

Another 4624 skirt but in woven this time.

Lastly a new jacket. This is not strictly just for school. So I made it a bit special.

We feel a bit in-between the seasons at the moment. Her winter coat is done, here, but it is more heavily insulated and it just isn't that cold yet.

With the wool left over from cutting out L's School Days coat (still to be sewn up) I managed to fit this Uptown Jacket + 1" in length onto the scraps. 

I prefer it with the sleeves rolled up at the cuffs but Boo wanted them down. I just like seeing the Liberty fabric peeking out, it makes me smile!

I used my best wool and Liberty lawn on this baby so I was damned if I was going to make it big enough to fit only a couple of months. I sized up so it will last and also go over layers.

There is something that reminds me of Harry Potter about the whole thing. Maybe it is the longer sleeves and deep hood, teamed with tousled hair and school uniform, but she looks like a little Hermione Granger! I think she is adorable!

Inside is mostly lawn with the exception of the top back yoke. I wanted a bit of extra warmth there so used the wool.

I don't trust my machine to sew buttonholes through wool. I tested on a scrap and true to form, it screwed it up. So I chose sew in snaps and buttons just for detail on the front.

The hood is impressively deep!

The lining feels butter soft against her skin. She is a big fan. The pattern is meant to be reversible and if I hadn't have switched the inside yoke fabric around, she could flip it inside out. But that wool would feel scratchy.

Phew! After all that, you would think I needed a sewing break. 

Nah! 

Thread Theory are having a Strathcona T-shirt sew-along on at the moment which I am intending to follow. I am looking forward to stocking up the male section of our wardrobe a bit.