StyleArc Daisy Tunic and Pants

Mostly I sew knits, so its always an interesting exercise, sewing with woven fabric. While the actual sewing is easier, with fabric that feeds evenly and doesn’t tend to ripple, the trade off is fraying (especially linen) that needs controlling, and the inevitable extra effort required to fit my wonky body. However, there is a trend towards loose, flowing lines lately …. the LagenLook …. and that means tackling woven fabric.

My first foray into this area, was a pair of Tina Givens patterns (see my earlier post). This was a dismal failure, with shoddy pattern design and appalling quality of the patterns. In the past, this failure would have seen me close the sewing room door, and not touch my machines for months. However my confidence in my own abilities has grown, and I can recognise where a failure is not the fault of my skills, and instead is a crappy pattern.

So I have tried again, this time with the StyleArc Daisy Tunic and Pants.

DAISY DESIGNER TUNIC: The symmetrical double angled hemlines give this simple tunic a designer look. Choose your season, make it sleeveless or with a fashionable three-quarter sleeve. The inseam pockets are optional and the neck line is faced and can be top stitched using a contrast colour thread.
DAISY DESIGNER PANT: This trendy wide leg pant is not only fashionable but very comfortable with its elastic waist. Interesting patch pocket with side opening and wide faced hem make this pant a must have.

StyleArc often say on their patterns that they follow an “industry model”. As a result, the language used in the instructions is often not consistent with language a home seamstress would use. For example in this pattern they refer to “turning the facing to the right side” when in fact they mean “turning the facing to the inside/wrong side of fabric”. Another foible is the use of the term “flat stitch” when they mean “under stitch”. These slight variations in language are more annoying than a problem for an experienced seamstress, but I wonder if they catch out beginners.

There are no instructions regarding pressing or finishing edges of facings or seams. Again, not a problem for the experienced, but may catch out the beginner. The crotch is quite short at the front, and I think in my next incarnation I will add some height to the waist all around. The pockets are situated quite low on the front, and I think I will move them up when I next make them up. Width added to the sides of the pants, to allow for a full tummy. In hindsight not needed for the back, and I will add less to the front in future.

Fabric Used:
Tunic – cotton cheesecloth
Pants – cotton linen

Summers in Australia are quite hot, and cool, loose fabrics are very welcome. I am looking at trying this again in perhaps a soft voile, perhaps lengthening the top to a long tunic length. Stay tuned.