Boutique Tunics from Art Gallery Fabric

Drawing inspiration from European clothing boutiques, we decided to make some tunic tops from some of our favorite Art Gallery fabric prints.  If you are familiar with lagenlook, which just means “layered look” in English, you know that these tops can be paired with anything and everything.  These tunics go over skirts or dresses and leggings, over skinny pants or jeans, with sandals or boots.  Sometimes they add a shorter vest or sweater over this top– the point is to have each layer a different length.  

I first saw this style of dressing in Ireland.  They have the most lovely clothing shops in the villages and I kept thinking, “Why don’t we have clothes like that?”  I was so impressed I took photos of several shop windows to keep them fresh in my mind.

While window shopping in Europe is a blast and gets the creativity ideas flowing, you don’t have to travel any further than your computer– just visit Gudrun Sjoden’s website and save yourself a trip.

For these tops, I used one of my favorite tops and drew the pattern on Swedish pattern paper.  This is a little tricky because you have to fold the garment this way and that, but it usually works for me.  I draw it all out in pencil, check measurements (mine, the pattern and matching seams), and then I finish it with a permanent marker.  Lay the pattern out on the fabric, cut and sew as per usual garment construction.  On the back, there are some feminine pleats to give the bodice shape and the skirt fullness.

The peacock print is a one directional design, so it took a little more, but each top took 2 3/4 – 3 yards of fabric.  We used the contrasting trim on the sleeve cuffs and button plackets just for fun, and added hidden pockets for convenience.  We love wearing these flowing tops with skirts or jeans.  They add feminine definition to the waistline, without being too fitted.  If you have a top or dress that you love with a flattering fit, try making a pattern from it.  Then, you can turn it into something lovely with your favorite prints!

-Diane & Flori (aka Lori from our Creative Team)

linking to Quilt Story’s Fabric Tuesday