Patchwork Tunic Top

Shew!  (as I wipe sweat from my brow...)  I have been working on this patchwork top for several days now.  It was a lot of work figuring it out, but very worth it.  (A lot more work than I am used to anyway...)

I've had a few ideas floating around for a while, and have been wanting to try and make something in a fabric piecing/patchwork style.  I used 6 different pink and green fabrics from my stash and scrap bin.  I didn't want to cut into my high price "designer" fabrics until I new how it would turn out.

To make this top, I used a 4 x 4 inch ruler and cut out the squares with my rotary cutter.  Then arranged the squares until I was pleased with the pattern.  I considered using a brick pattern for the squares, but after looking at different patchwork fabrics. It seemed like most of them used a straight pattern, so that's what I did too.  (Plus I figured it would be easiest to keep straight.)

First, I sewed the squares into a horizantal strip.  I sewed two squares together at a time, then sewed the sets of two together to make a strip.  Then, sewed the long strips together.  After sewing a couple of the squares together I discovered I was having trouble remembering what went where, so I went back and made a diagram.  Like this:

To have enough fabric for a size 4 top, I had to do 5 rows of 6 squares each for the front and back pattern pieces.  Then I did 2 rows of four for each of the sleeves.  Cutting the squares probably took the same amount of time as sewing them together, maybe longer. (I ended up cutting way too many.)  I used my serger to sew the squares together and it went very quickly.

After I put the casing in the neckline, starting from about 1/2 inch below the casing, I shirred from sleeve seam to sleeve seam, front and back. Stopping at the bottom of the armhole.

Then I shirred the sleeve edges instead of using a casing and elastic.  I think it gives it such a cuter look!

If you would like to make a version of this top, you can print out and use my free Peasant Dress pattern.  Just adjust the length to whatever length you prefer.

I have a good amount of fabric squares left over, so I thought I would give them away to one of my readers.  If you are interested in the leftover squares, just leave a comment saying so and I will draw a winner randomly on next Tuesday.  Be sure and leave your email in case your blogger profile is set to "no reply"...

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