There aren’t many gaps in my wardrobe, but I did identify one for long sleeved tunics in solid colours.  But I didn’t want to just make a whole lot of long sleeved tees.  I’ve added a few Katherine and Marcy Tilton patterns to my stash recently, and pulled out Butterick 5925 to make this navy tunic.

It’s really hard to see the design lines in this dark fabric, so here is the line drawing.

The pattern description from the website says: MISSES’ TOP: Pullover top has neckline and pocket variations, seam detail, and shaped hemine. A: slightly draped neck and pocket bands. B: pocket binding. A and B: semi-fitted, stitched hems. C and D: loose-fitting, hem band, and narrow hem. B, C and D: neck binding. Wrong side shows on hemlines, and C and D pocket openings.  I made stye C, but without the pockets. The fabric is a polyester crepe knit from Spotlight. It’s actually rather lovely to sew and wear.

I’m trying to remember what size I made; it was probably a Medium, and I’m pretty sure that I petite-ed it by folding out an inch and a half through the body at the marked shorten/lengthen lines. The seams are interesting; there are princess seams in the back and forward angled seams at the front but no seams at the side where you would usually expect them to be.

I like the fit through the body but think that the shoulders are a little too wide. I’ll size down to a Small at the shoulders next time – and there will definitely be a next time for this pattern. In fact, I have view A cut out in a grass green polyester crepe knit, also without the pockets.

The skirt is the Colette Mabel, in the view with the back pleat and the side front panels. For a bit of interest I cut the side front panels with the print running the opposite way to the rest of the skirt. Can you tell? This time I made a Medium throughout. The fabric choice really affects the fit – this one could have done with a Large in the waistband. But I can still wriggle into it!  The fabric is from Darn Cheap Fabrics – I was lucky enough to find this small piece in the remnant bin!

I really like that little pleat at the centre back, and it is super simple to incorporate. This was Mabel number three – I still have to show you number four and five!

These Butterick tunics offer lots of opportunities for mixing and matching prints and colourways, as seen on the pattern envelope.  I find myself more and more drawn to designs such as those from the Tilton sisters.  They and other “art to wear” patterns are the sorts of styles that I used to think of as “middle aged women clothes”.  What does that say about what I am becoming?