Friday 19 October 2018

Be a Flamingo in a Flock of Seagulls - 5 out of 4's Roxanne Tunic Sewing Pattern

Dare to be different - the world is already full of ordinary. 

5 out of 4 has done it again with their newest pattern, the Roxanne Tunic!






The Roxanne Tunic is Unicorn length approved (I'm 5'-2"), and can be easily sewn up for any season, depending on your flowy fabric and sleeve length.


It features:
- Straight or Curved hemline
- 4 Sleeve lengths - Short, 3/4, full, or extra long
- 2 sleeve styles (loose or more fitted)
- 4 Fabulous back styles - button up, faux button up, lace up with grommets, or lace up with loops


I do NOT recommend a normal cotton lycra or denser fabric, as it will make the top look quite boxy, and you will be sad.


My first top is the short loose sleeved, straight hemline, with lace up back (loops):










I used a drapey sweater knit (now sold out, thanks to me!) from Water Tower Textiles.  It's super soft, and I've pretty much ordered this fabric in the maroon and black colours until it has sold out throughout the year - perfect for drapey patterns and all year round wear.

Serious face while wearing it, but it was a really rough nauseous vertigo week.


So with my limited cognitive abilities, I tested out Roxanne, and succeeded with no seam ripper!  I deserve a Blue Ribbon for that, as my mind can't figure out simple concepts when I'm in full migraine mode.  But Rachelle's instructions are precise, give hints and tips to cover any potential issues, and the pictures are on par with Roxanne.

That being said, it took me some time to slowly pin the ribbons to the back facing and sew up the back facings, but that's me. I'm a slow sewist without a migraine!

I would use a denser ribbon next time - perhaps cording - so the corset back is a bit more defined, but some days you use what you have on hand! 




It pairs well with the Eleanor Cardigan! \


Next, I made the curved hem, long sleeved, faux button back version.

I really don't want to button up any shirt, and honestly didn't have the energy to make button holes, so sewing the buttons on through both layers made it SO simple to get the button up look!

This back version wasn't as lengthy as the corset back, and gives the top a totally different look! 

The fabric is a mishmash of fabric I won from Zenith and Quasar for a sew-a-long (my Doctor Who outfit!) and Water Tower textiles.

The purple is some sort of light supplex, and the grey is a dri-fit fabric - both from a random stash box I opted for from Z & Q.

The sleeves are remnants from some super soft DBP from Water Tower Textiles.

They work well for this top - which happens to be a good top for colour blocking due to lack of any appropriate length of fabric. 

When in doubt, colour block. I've become SO accustomed to that as I keep to my low fabric budget.

I love the sleeves lengths and the flow of the top - and the button back turned out quite well! 

I even paired it with my Aspen Fleece Vest, fresh out of the wash before being packed for camp this weekend.

So challenge yourself with a bit of a different top in Roxanne - experiment with a lace modesty panel in the back of your corset version to give it that va-va-voom appeal, colour block with smaller bits of fabric like I did, or just follow the pattern (which is also totally awesome to do), and be proud of your final product! 








***Affiliate Links Above used - I love these patterns, and without the help of those who love their patterns, marketing would be extremely difficult for the pattern makers we love and learn to love. Affiliate links help with the hours, fabric, and tears that go behind testing each pattern in order to provide a real-person view on the patterns for you (and me!) 

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