Way back in 2017, I sewed the Liesl + Co Gallery Dress. I am still wearing that dress, and I still love it. A couple of months ago I returned to the pattern to sew the tunic length.
It’s pretty clear from the wrinkles in these photos that this time around I sewed the pattern up in linen, and these photos were taken after a few hour of wear! From the pattern website: Relaxed-fit pull-on tunic or dress. The tunic features cuffed three-quarter-length sleeves and a one-piece collar. The dress includes in-seam pockets, button-cuff full-length sleeves, and a band collar. Both versions include an inset front placket with a fun pleated detail, an inverted box pleat at back, and a curved shirttail hem that’s slightly longer in back.
I used the same pattern pieces as last time after cutting the dress length off and leaving out the pockets for the tunic length. I sewed mostly size 12 with size 14 body width. I really like that little inverted pleat at the back neck – it helps a lot with my rounded upper back!
Liesl + Co always has superb instructions and pattern drafting, and this was no exception. Instructions for full bust alterations are included in the pattern. I first came to Liesl’s patterns when I was sewing Oliver + S patterns for my daughters and was very glad when she started releasing adult patterns as well. I’ve noticed that nowadays she only does adult patterns – her daughter is now at university, so I guess that’s why! Her children’s patterns are classics – I have a couple of boxes of outgrown garments that I am keeping for memories.
As you can see, I sewed the full-length sleeves. The cuffs are a slightly unusual construction, without a placket but with a space left that folds up when the cuff is buttoned. I found a couple of buttons in stash that worked well enough with the colour of the fabric. I hand-stitched the collar band in place on the inside. I’ve discovered that although I don’t tend to wear ‘classic’ shirts with a traditional collar on a stand or even a camp collar, I do quite like a collar stand on it’s own. This is a very non-fussy garment to wear – pull it on and go!
Because this pattern was released years ago, there are plenty of examples of it in Flickr groups, on Instagram, and on blogs. I even found a tutorial for it on YouTube. I have some more fabric earmarked for another tunic – although maybe another dress will take priority! In these photos I am wearing the tunic with Vado non-stretch denim jeans that I sewed back in 2016. I wasn’t thrilled about these jeans at the time, but they were beautifully made so I kept them through various size fluctuations. They fit me again at the moment and I am wearing them heaps!