Sewing block party: the Tip Top tunic

Whoo hoo! A party! And what a party! It is a month long Sewing Block Party featuring Petit a Petit patterns. Celina is an amazing person. Her creativity is inspiring and her style is impackable.

Baby L is ready to party in her Tip Top tunic.

Tip Top can be made as a top, tunic and dress. There are two options for necklines, a possibility to add in-seam or welt pockets, make double sleeves, an option of a paneled front... And the insides... Guys, I am growing to loooove pretty insides. Little touches like french seams or hem facings. Things that make a garment that little bit extra special.

Baby L took her first steps a few weeks ago and then decided that walking was completely over-rated and crawling allowed her to get places quicker. So no dress length Tip Top for her just yet. At first I was going to make a top length and I should have followed through with my original plan. I made a tunic length and because it is so flowy the fabric gets under Baby L's knees when she is crawling. While it is very entertaining for me to observe, my little adventure seeker becomes rather frustrated getting caught in her own clothing.

A flowy top is perfect for hot Australian summer days. I chose to make Baby L's Tip Top tunic from lovely lightweight cotton sateen I bought from Spotlight just before dinosaurs died out. OK not quite that long ago, haha The fabric has lovely drape and the colour looks amazing on my blue eyed girlie.

While working on this tunic I discovered that holding breath while sewing a rolled hem helps. I am not too sure what helps with perfect bias tape application though. The neckline on my tunic looks rather untidy and it frustrates me a fair bit because it is exposed. I would have re-done it however in order to reduce bulk I trimmed fabric around the neckline (main fabric, not the bias tape) so in the end I decided it would be safer to leave it as it was.

I was not too sure I would be able to hold my breath for long enough to do a rolled hem at the bottom of the dress, so I opted for a hem facing.

My little model lost interest in a photo-shoot as soon as she ran out of blueberries. She has been unwell and blueberries was just about the only thing she ate for a few days. Once her interest in food returned we knew she was getting better.

This little tunic was a pleasure to make. A simple looking tunic with wonderful hidden details. I really appreciated that.

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11 comments

Just Add Fabric17 November 2016 at 19:15
Ohhhhhhhh, she is just gorgeous in her lovely blue tunic! I too love beautiful insides, and am also looking for a secret to sewing with bias tape. ;) If you find the answer, I'm all ears! In the meantime, I'm happy to sit here and admire your lovely little girl and her sweet top.
Unknown17 November 2016 at 20:02
Oh she is walking, well standing at least! You are very brave feeding your child blueberries in a brand new dress!! ;) Lovely dress as usual. I noticed the rolled hem, very neat. It can be tricky indeed!
inesmelo18 November 2016 at 05:43
This is beautiful! 😍❤️ I really love that fabric and there's no limit to that girls cuteness! Adorable!!
Mie Brindle18 November 2016 at 06:25
haha, you are so funny...."right before the dinosaurs died" and "not being able to hold by breath all the way around the hem." hahahaha And that tunic is GORGEOUS!!
Sylvia @ lilyenwoody19 November 2016 at 06:18
Baby L is so cute! Love the back of this tip top so much!
sosoabricot25 November 2016 at 20:20
Adorable ! Love your fabric Jenya ! And baby L is the cutest !