Sewing Projects

Celebration of Contrasts

Easy to wear and an attractive style on everyone, this tunic is jazzed up with black accent trim. Both comfortable and professional, it’s also a great piece for the office. Best of all it's a great way to recycle an old sweatshirt into something new and stylish.

The triangle pattern in the fabric is repeated in the design with the flattering V-neck and prairie point detail on the three quarter sleeves. Subtle silver studs accent the fabric.

Materials

1 white sweatshirt
50 cm (1/2 yd) blackand white geometric fabric
1 pack black bias tape
1 pack iron-on silver diamantes
1 pack iron-on silver nailheads
Heat set crystal applicator

Seams sewn with 13 mm (1/2”) seam allowance unless otherwise indicated.

Cutting the sweatshirt

1. Refer to the inspiration board for a cutting diagram for the sweatshirt. Begin by removing the band, cuffs and neck.

2. Cut the sweatshirt open along the underarm seams.

3. Measure from the underarm seam down the arm 38 cm (15”) and draw a line. Cut both sleeves off at this line.

4. Lay the sweatshirt flat. Measure down from the neck centre front 20 cm (8”)

5. Angle a ruler from this point to the shoulder seam. This should measure 26 cm (10 ¼”). Draw a line and repeat for the opposite side. Cut along these lines.

Cutting plan for fabric

Cut one front insert on the fold
Cut eight 10 cm (4”) squares
Cut two bottom border pieces 30 x 51 cm (12 x 20”).

Finishing the V-neck

1. Fold and press the bias tape in half.

2. Finish the lower edge of the facing. Pin the upper edge of the facing to the back neck edge of the sweatshirt.

3. Begin at the abck and pin bias tape over the raw neck edge. Pleat at the front V point. Overlap the ends 6 mm (1/4”) and cut off excess at shoulder.

4. Fold the front insert in half, press. Finish raw edges.

5. Pin the front inset into front V.

6. Top stitch along the bias tape, beginning at the back of the neck, catching the facing and front insert pieces before stitching.

Finishing the sleeves

1. Pin and topstitch bias tape along both sleeve ends, press.

2. Press squares into prairie points.

3. Overlap four prairie points 13 mm (1/2”) along the inside edge of each sleeve. Top stitch in place.

4. Press and finish raw edges.

Finishing the bottom border

1. Measure the bottom front and back of the sweatshirt from seam to seam, and check against the border pieces width. Border pieces should match the measurement on each piece. Trim pieces if necessary.

2. Fold the border pieces in half, right sides together. Sew side seams, trim. Finish seams.

3. Turn pieces right sides out and press. Finish top edges.

4. Pin and sew bias tape along both lower edges front and back.

5. Pin the border pieces to the inside edge of the bottom bias tape, leaving 13 mm (1/2”) on either end of the seam.

6. Topstitch in place. Press.

Finishing the tunic

1. Using the heat-set applicator, place the diamantes according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Apply to repeating pattern elements on the front insert, prairie points and front and back borders.

2. Fold the tunic right sides together along the underarm seam line. At the halfway point on the seam measure and mark 2.5 cm (1”) in.

3. From this point, draw a line gradually becoming 13 mm (1/2”) wide at the end of the edges.

4. Pin along this line and try the tunic on before continuing. If the tunic is too loose, add another 6 mm (1/4”) to the measurement and redraw the line. If too tight, reduce the line by 6 mm.

5. Sew seams and trim excess. Finish seams. Press and turn right sides out.

Accent ideas

- Apply silver studs evenly along the bias tape
- Add diamond shaped fabric patches to the elbows
- Accent a dropped waistline with a wide satin ribbon tied at the side

Alter

- Change colours, try black and lavender
- This tunic can work for all body types. Shorten or lengthen it as necessary for height
- V neck and three-quarter length sleeves visually elongate all body types
- Choose reverse contrast for a fuller upper body; use a black sweatshirt with a similar border

Further information and book offer

This project comes from Sweatshirts by Debra Quartermain published Kraus Publications and distributed in the UK by David & Charles. This fabulous book includes 15+ stylish designs to sew and wear and includes a full size pattern to make the alterations even easier. Priced £14.99, ISEW browsers can order it at the special discounted price of £11.99 p&p free (to UK addresses). To order please call the David & Charles hotline on 0870 990 8222 or email: dcdirect@davidandcharles.co.uk and quote A0301.