Turning a blouse pattern into a tunic dress!

With summer approaching, I wanted to make a nice, cool dress. Rayon is light and breezy, perfect for spring and summer!

▲ Pattern ▲

Garnet is one of my own patterns, originally a blouse featuring bust darts, a back yoke, and split high-low hem. The sleeves are long and bloused. It’s also a good candidate to become a dress!

▲ Fabric ▲

I used a rayon from Cloud9 Fabrics called Business Class Coder. It’s super soft and light. Because rayon tends to shrink, I pre-washed the fabric before sewing. It’s the one thing I still cut corners with but I’m trying to be better with it!

▲Drafting ▲

I lengthened the pattern by 10″ on the front and back. Originally, I planned on having the split hem go all the way up to my high hip. After trying it on and seeing how long the dress actually was, I lowered the split. It now falls around fingertip territory.

▲ Construction ▲

This blouse isn’t too complicated. I attach the back yoke using the burrito method – which is really fun by the way!

The sleeve caps are gathered for fit, but the final sleeve isn’t actually gathered or poofy. Although this takes alot more time, the sleeve fits so well and I have great range of motion. Elastic is used at the wrist to cinch the fabric.

I finish the neckline with a facing, hand tacked with a herringbone stitch.

And there’s two belt loops on the sides seams at the waist. I may add another at the center back.

I’m very happy with this dress! The rayon is soft and drapey. I like wearing it with leggings for now but I know I’ll reach for it in hot weather too.

Thanks for reading ❤