Stevie Tunic - Fabric from Overseas

Hi friends! I made two dresses from Stevie Tunic by Tilly and the Buttons. They are made from Japanese fabric and African wax cotton.

I used Stevie Tunic which has a pull-on tunic and top pattern. The pattern doesn't have set-in sleeves, zippers, button holes or other difficult steps. It has two length options (above-the-knee dress length and shirt length) with optional turn-up cuffs and patch pocket, and the closing at the back can use ties or button loop. The pattern have only chest pattern, but I added the side pockets of both dresses. Both dresses were very quick and easy to make. I cut the parts out one evening and sewed one dress up the next day.

This was the first Stevie tunic that I made. I purchased the African cotton from an African variety shop in a small town in Japan. I never expected there was a shop like this in the town, because it is well known with for its Japanese old town atmosphere. It's always jam packed with tourists in kimonos. The shop has many lovely African fabrics and knick-knacks, so I fell in love with the fabric at first sight. A lot of berries and spiders are printed on the fabric. I also used a navy dungaree for the cuff and ties at the back. I cut it to a size between 2 and 3. The model in the pattern envelope is wearing it as a mini dress, but the length was really short for me (I'm 5' 4" tall). I didn't realise the name of the pattern was "Stevie TUNIC". Tunic...😂 If you would like to make the pattern as a dress, check the length before you start to cut the parts. Otherwise, you can't raise both your hands in the dress!

I made the dress using men's and ladies' yukata fabrics (yukata means a kind of kimono). I purchased these yukatas in an antique market (previowes blog post: antique market ). I wanted to make the dress to wear in a traditional Japanese inn. Most traditional style inns prepare yukatas instead of bathrobes or casual clothes, but my husband and I never use them and usually wear our own clothes (T- shirts and shorts) at inns. Such clothes are more comfortable than yukata, but I think they look kind of weird in a traditional Japanese inn. I'm glad that the dress suits Japanese inns. 

These yukata fabrics were only 14 1/2 inches in width (kimono fabric is very narrow), so I combined two yukatas. I tied the back bow and sewed it on the back. However, the dress can be pulled it over my head without untying a bow. It's so easy to take on and off. I increased the length of the skirt hem by 13 3/4 inches.

These flower appliques were made with 'Scattered Flowers' in my mind. I cut out flower applique pieces from the flower patternend yukata and sewed them on the front and back of the bodice by sewing machine. Yukata fabric doesn't fray easily, and I only attached the interfacing to the wrong side. I used the idea from my favourite sewist: Tatsuya Kaigai's sewng book (Sweet Dress Recipe), and the author often uses flower appliques using Liberty tana-lawn.

I made the dresses using two types unique fabrics from Steavie Tunic, and I love both. The dresses were so easy to sew, and they are comfy to wear. I will make the pattern again as I love the back style too. You can make a lovely tunic with the pattern too, because there is a lot of versatility depending on fabric choice.

Fabric: African Fabric 45" 2 yd and Two kind of yukata

Total Time Spent (not including cutting time): 8 hours / one dress.