Two hour tunic

Never one to pass up a free pattern or a quick and fun project, I seized the opportunity to try the latest offering from Savage Coco, the two-hour tunic. This can be seen here and obtained free via email. It is not available (at the time of writing) on Coco's blog, although it is worth checking the blog for other patterns, which are based on movie star dresses and only cost 99c. I've made several of them and can't get enough! The two-hour tunic is is a simple pattern for knit fabrics that looks great in a cool print like Coco's own fab version. I tried hard to find a similar print, but choices are limited in Perth, so I went with this swirly mesh from Textile Traders. I bought a metre for $4, so a bargain for this top even if it is a bit see-through!

The pattern is downloadable and easy to piece together with not too many sheets of paper. The instructions are included in the PDF file. The instructions are clear and the top is a breeze to put together. The only problems I had were skipped stitches where I was trying to finish the edges with my twin needle. That mesh fabric was a pest to sew. I wasn't able to use 'Washable Wonder Tape' as suggested because it showed through the fabric. Bummer. Instead I placed scraps of tissue paper under the fabric as I sewed then ripped it off afterwards. It worked, but I hate that method, all those bits of paper that stick in the seam and have to be picked out. Ugh. My advice - use thicker fabric and get yourself some Wonder Tape.

I did cut the tunic longer so I could experiment with the length, but in the end I cut it to the suggested length. I haven't got any tops this length, so it's nice for a change. The pattern comes in one size and was a perfect fit for me. It would fit an Aus/UK size 10-12, but would be easy to draft up or down.

I like this. It is fun to choose a bold print and whiz up this top in, let's see, about two hours! It would also be good to try making it at different lengths and maybe with a tighter-fitting hemline so it sits on the hips.