Amy Butler Lotus Tunic and Cami

I made this dress for the Amy Lou Who Amy Butler Sew and Tell Challenge that I wrote about in my last post. I really love it! I was nervous about the print, but I wanted to use something that I already had in my stash. I think it was a relief as well as a pleasant surprise to see how the final product turned out.

Fabric – I made the tunic version of the pattern, and this called for 2-1/4 yards of exterior fabric and 7/8 yard of coordinating fabric, as well as a lining fabric. I used an Alexander Henry cotton lawn fabric called Como, multi colorway. The coordinating fabric, which was Anna Maria Horner’s Fortune from Good Folks, was supposed to be used for the detail and binding on the sleeves, as well as the belt (more on the belt later). Since I like to read sewing pattern reviews before I buy a pattern, in order to see if it would work out for me or if others who came before me found any things to complain about, I knew that Amy Butler’s patterns call for too much fabric than is actually needed. Way to sell more fabric, Amy. So I held off on my fabric until I had the pattern in hand, and I actually laid out my pieces on the fabric to see if I had enough with a 2 yard cut for the exterior. I ended up having about a half-quarter of leftover fabric. I hate spending money on extra fabric I don’t need, I’m trying to live frugally and the fact that I spent $13.50/yard on the exterior fabric almost makes me want to cry. I mean, no one made me buy it, but still.

Illustrations – The illustrations in this pattern were adequate. If you’ve done one of Amy Butler’s patterns before, she is wordy, but in a good way. I feel like her illustrations and explanations are good. I have never made darts on clothing before, and I felt like her illustration for the darts was confusing, but I just watched this video on YouTube which explained how to sew darts (several different kinds in fact), and I was ready to go.
 

Darts on the back panels of the tunic.

This doesn’t apply to the sewing instructions, but I was extremely peeved at the lack of photos of the finished product. The cover of the pattern shows the finished tunic, and the materials list section shows a color photo of the front and back of the cami, but there isn’t a picture of what the dress looks like. When I started cutting out my pattern pieces, I realized the dress was just a longer version of the tunic (and even though the cover picture is of a knee-length piece of clothing, that one was the tunic), I would have appreciated a picture of the dress. And there is no picture of the belt on anything. They show one little illustration when it is explained to sew the belt loops on, but other than that, nothing. WHY?? Thank goodness I had read a review that said the belt looked silly, otherwise I know that I would have sewn it on and kicked myself. The ‘mystery belt’ wasn’t optional in the instructions…but I digress. Let me just say that as soon as I cut my pattern pieces out I promptly threw the belt piece in the garbage. I plan to use a belt of my own, or a thicker elastic belt, when I wear this dress (or even no belt at all would be fine).

Pattern Pieces – The pattern pieces were great, I had no problem with those. Everything was marked nicely for where each piece needed to be sewn onto corresponding pieces. I threw the cami pieces out because I was not crazy about the cami and I know I’ll never make it. I’m not crazy about tissue paper, but I guess since this was an apparel item, I understand. If I had a big enough printer I would have just copied it on paper to make myself happy.

Taking in the area up top by the sleeve an extra 1/4″.

This pattern was a pleasure to sew together. I know I sound like a broken record, but since I had read previews reviews on this one, I knew to try it on as I went along. The main complaint was the area that attaches the sleeves to the neckline, making the front of the top too loose or flappy around the chest. Mine wasn’t too loose, but I took my seam in an extra 1/4″ for good measure and I was happy with how that turned out. When I tried the exterior on after I had finished sewing it, I took in the area around the bust by about an extra 1/2″ on each side (sort of making a mini dart where the side panels hit the front panel near the chest). I do something like this on just about every piece of clothing I make for myself. I don’t have that big of a chest, and ladies, let’s face it, we all have our one “area”. Mine is my boobs. Whatever, I’m not too ashamed to admit it. Anything that is loose in the chest area makes me look like a 12-year-old boy. Other than that (and leaving out the belt), I didn’t make any other modifications to the pattern instructions.

My 3-1/2 year old son took this picture all by himself

Conclusion – This pattern would be great for an intermediate sewer. Some of the other skills called for are sewing a dart, gathering the sleeves, sewing in a zipper, slip-stitching; and there were other stitches I had never done before (stitch-in-the-ditch and understitching). I am definitely going to sew this up again, I am already on the look-out for my next fabric.