Belted Tunic
Introducing a women's sewing pattern for a stylish tunic featuring wide front bands that rise into a stepped band collar, a clean concealed button placket, and a chic tie belt to define the waist.
When To Wear
This versatile tunic is perfect for creating effortlessly stylish outfits, ideal for:
- Everyday Elegance: a comfortable yet refined choice for daily wear, easily paired with casual or smart bottoms.
- Work & Professional Settings: Its polished silhouette and clean lines make it suitable for office environments or business casual attire.
- Travel & Leisure: Offering comfort and style, it's an excellent piece for relaxed outings or as a versatile layer while traveling.
Key Design Features
Silhouette: a relaxed, straight-cut tunic designed to be cinched at the waist with a self-fabric tie belt, creating a flattering bloused effect.
Collar & Neckline: Wide front bands (Front Center Edge) continue around the neckline into a stand-up band collar with a stepped upper edge at the front and a center back seam.
Closure: a concealed button placket (5 buttons) in the right front band, providing a sleek, uninterrupted aesthetic.
Sleeves: Relaxed three-quarter length sleeves with a wide cut and a dropped shoulder line.
Back: a clean, unembellished back panel maintains the tunic's simple and elegant lines.
Waist: a separate, wide tie belt allows for adjustable waist definition and styling versatility.
Length: Designed to fall around hip length, making it ideal for pairing with trousers or skirts.
Level Of Difficulty
Intermediate. This pattern involves precise construction of a concealed placket, careful interfacing application, and buttonhole creation.
Fabric Recommendations
Choose suiting materials that offer both structure and a comfortable drape, as seen in the sample garment:
- Suiting fabrics made from natural or blended fibers
Additional Supplies
- Fusible interfacing
- 5 buttons
- Lining fabric (for placket construction)
Cutter's Must
If the patterns have a double contour, seam allowances are included. If the contour is single, seam allowances are not included. Seam allowances: all seams 1 cm. Hem and sleeve hem allowance – 3.5 cm. Attention! First, print out the paper patterns and lay them out on the fabric width (fabric width can be from 90 cm to 150 cm) to determine how much material you will need (do not forget to account for paired and symmetrical pieces). When stitching pieces, pay attention to the notches - they must match!
- From main fabric:
- Back – 1 piece (cut on fold)
- Front – 2 pieces
- Sleeve – 2 pieces
- Front Center Edge – 4 pieces
- Waistband – 1 piece (cut on fold; tie belt)
- From fusible interfacing:
- Front Center Edge – 2 pieces
- Hidden Button Placket Lining – 1 piece
- From lining fabric:
- Hidden Button Placket Lining – 2 pieces
Sewing Instructions
- Fuse interfacing to the outer Front Center Edge pieces and to one Hidden Button Placket Lining.
- Stitch shoulder seams, press allowances open.
- Mark the placket opening on the right side of the right inner Front Center Edge: the first line runs parallel to the front edge, 1.5 cm from the finished edge; the second and third lines mark the length of the placket. Place the interfaced Hidden Button Placket Lining on the right side of the band, right sides together, extending away from the front edge, aligning the cut edge of the lining with the marked line. Stitch 0.5 cm from the marked line along the opening up to the lines marking its length. Place the second Hidden Button Placket Lining edge to edge with the first lining's stitching line and stitch 0.5 cm away. Check the correctness of the lining attachment from the wrong side (stitches should be parallel). Cut the opening. Make diagonal cuts 1-1.5 cm from each end of the opening. Turn the linings through the opening to the wrong side, forming a frame from the interfaced lining equal to the width between the stitching lines. Stitch in the ditch of the lining attachment seam. Press the second lining towards the inner edge of the band and topstitch 0.1 cm from the lining attachment seam. Mark and work the buttonholes through the band together with the interfaced lining. Straighten and secure the ends of the placket from the wrong side with double backstitching at the base of the corners. Stitch the lining edges. Place bar tacks between each pair of buttonholes, the length of the bar tack is equal to the width of the frame. Press the inner band. Trim excess lining.
- Stitch the center back collar seams of the inner and outer Front Center Edge pieces, press allowances open. Place the outer and inner bands right sides together and stitch the outer edge. Clip the allowances, turn the inner band to the inside and press.
- Stitch the bands to the Front and Back, clipping the allowances at the corners. Overlock the allowances and press them towards the garment.
- Set sleeves into open armholes. Overlock allowances and press towards the sleeve. Stitch side seams simultaneously with the sleeve seam. Overlock allowances and press towards the back.
- Overlock the hem allowance of the garment and sleeve, press to the wrong side and topstitch.
- Fold the Waistband (tie belt) in half lengthwise, right sides together, stitch along the long and short sides, leaving an opening for turning. Trim allowances at corners, turn right side out and press. Sew the opening closed.
- Sew buttons onto the left front.
