Easy Cotton Tunic

The simple silhouette of this outfit by Julia Claridge is ideal for spring and summer wardrobes. Sewn in a beautifully bold cotton print with a flattering curved hem, it is both easy to stitch and perfect for the season. This is a great first garment for novice stitchers – the cutting and construction are easy with just basic darts to master.

Essentials

Cotton fabric, 1.12m x 2.25m
Two 1.5cm buttons
Coordinating thread

Dimensions List

10-12: 87cm (finished length) 101cm (chest)
12-14: 88cm (finished length) 106cm (chest)
14-16: 89cm (finished length) 111cm (chest)

Cutting guide

Front: cut one on the fold

Back: cut one on the fold

Sleeve: cut one pair

Front neck facing: cut one on the fold

Back neck facing: cut one on the fold

Sleeve tab: cut two

Hem facing: cut two on the fold

1.5cm seam allowance used unless otherwise specified.

Sew a tunic

1 Download and print the pattern by clicking the button above. Cut out the pieces according to the cutting guide. Sew the bust darts marked on the front pattern piece and press downwards.

2 With right sides together, sew the shoulder seams and neaten the raw edges. Join the front and back neck facings, right sides together. Press the seam open. Overlock the outer edge or turn and press the raw edge in by 1cm and zig zag stitch.

3 Matching the shoulder seams, right sides together, pin and stitch the neck facing to the neck edge. Clip the curves. Understitch around the whole neck edge and press the facing to the inside. Pin the facing to the dress, tack, then stitch close to the outer edge of the facing.

4 Sew the sleeve tabs, right sides together, leaving one short end open for turning. Trim the corners, then turn right side out and press. Using tailor’s chalk, mark a buttonhole in the centre of the tab, then sew 1.5cm from the finished end.

5 Following the pattern markings, place the raw edge of the sleeve tab on the wrong side of the sleeve with the tab placed above the mark right side down. Sew 5mm away from the raw edge. Press the tab downwards just over 5mm and stitch again, in order to catch in the raw edge.

6 While the sleeve is flat, turn and press a 1.5cm double-folded hem at the cuff edge and leave unstitched. With right sides together, join the sleeve underarm seam, opening out the pressed hem, then neaten the raw edge. Sew two rows of long ease stitches on the sleeve head between the notches. Refold the cuff hem along the pressed lines and stitch.

7 Sew the front and back dress together at the side seams and neaten the raw edges. Draw the ease threads on the sleeve head up gently, easing until the sleeve fits the armhole, matching the notches and underarm seams. With right sides together, pin the sleeve into the armhole, sew and neaten the raw seams.

8 Join the hem facing with right sides together and press the seams open. Apply the hem facing and finish in the same way as the neck facing. Sew a button on the outside of each sleeve over the stitch line of the tab to finish.