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Sew Liberated Schoolhouse Tunic for Hourglass Shape? Will the Schoolhouse Tunic be a disaster on me?
Gyount Advanced Beginner Member since 8/9/12 Posts: 24	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 9/17/12 5:41 PM I hope this forum is the correct spot for this question... After my bad experience with the Portfolio dress (Link), I'm a little paranoid since sewing a garment that's a bad shape for my figure is a lot more discouraging than just trying on and hanging one back on the racks at the store. While looking at Sew Liberated's new Ashland dress (which I think would work well for me incidentally), I started considering the Schoolhouse Tunic. Any feedback about how this would look on 10/12 RTW hourglass figure? I'm attracted to it because 1. Cute, 2. Every body says it's super easy, 3. I should be able to nurse and pump in it. -- Edited on 9/17/12 5:42 PM --
meleliza   Intermediate PA Member since 5/4/11 Posts: 490	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 9/17/12 8:10 PM I'm not sure because I haven't tried it. However, the schoolhouse tunic has two things going for an hourglass figure that the portfolio doesn't. It has some waist definition and a deep slit in the neckline that will open up the face a little and break up the vast expanse of fabric that a high neckline will leave over a large bust. I would search this site for reviews to see how it looks on real people. Also, I would always do a muslin because independent pattern companies can have strange sizing or drafting. I think it has possibilities, though, and I'm off it read the reviews myself. I still recommend Rae's washi dress, I think it might be foolproofly flattering. After looking, this pattern doesn't seem to have a bust dart. This will make it more difficult to alter if you have a full bust. I hate when the indi patterns don't include a line drawing! -- Edited on 9/17/12 8:16 PM -- ------ Melanie
Gyount Advanced Beginner Member since 8/9/12 Posts: 24	Login to reply to this post 1 member likes this. Date: 9/17/12 8:31 PM Thanks for your thoughts. I have been looking over this site and the Flickr pool to see real versions and read reviews. Sometimes it's hard to tell what shape someone has underneath the dress though. I also looked over the Washi dress again, and it has lots of nice elements and i think would be complimentary in terms of shape. BUT it doesn't appear nursing friendly, which I need otherwise I can only wear the dress for 2-3 hours, so isn't practical.
stirwatersblue Intermediate KS USA Member since 12/13/08 Posts: 2465	Login to reply to this post 1 member likes this. Date: 9/17/12 8:59 PM How tall are you? I think that would make a huge difference in whether this will work or not. I'm 5'4" and about your size, and if I saw this in RTW, I would pass it up (particularly the cream/linen version). That's not saying it would definitely not work on me--sometimes things surprise you--but there are some things about it that are red flags. First, the length. Anything that "can also" be worn as a dress is guaranteed to make me look shorter and wider (and there's no way *I* would/could actually wear it as a dress). Second, the A-line shape. I've discovered that when it comes to tunics, surprisingly I look much better in things that are pretty straight up and down. It might be b/c my shoulders are narrower than my bust/hips, and the triangle look just accentuates that. A straight tunic makes *me* look straighter and slimmer. But, both of those things would be easy to adjust, if you decided you really, really like that top. And, honestly, you are totally allowed to love things (and make and wear them!) that aren't your most flattering shapes. Your choices of fabric and your customized fit can make them look their best (better than RTW). And, frankly, I think this goes double when you're nursing. New moms earn a little slack. -- Edited on 9/17/12 9:01 PM -- ------ ~Gem in the prairie
meleliza   Intermediate PA Member since 5/4/11 Posts: 490	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 9/17/12 10:23 PM Ah, nursing, that time of life when fashion really takes a holiday! I've only just left that part of my life a few months ago. It's definatley hard to find fashionable and nursing friendly in one pattern, but portfolio isn't nursing friendly either. When I was pregnant/nursing I made two versions of Anna Maria horner's. Ariposa tunic. It has nursing and maternity options and is very cute indeed. I made a tunic in liberty fabric that I always got lots of compliments on. It's an achievable pattern, I think. You can see it Here f you're interested. ------ Melanie
Fruzzle Intermediate Member since 1/26/07 Posts: 382	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 9/17/12 10:39 PM Don't know if you have seen this Jalie nursing top yet, but if I was sewing nursing wear, I'd be eyeing up that one. I know, I know, that's not the question you asked! But it looks like such a good pattern!!
michellep74   Intermediate CA USA Member since 7/19/07 Posts: 2300	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 9/17/12 10:53 PM I'm also nursing (and pumping at work) and am finding that I pretty much need to live in separates right now. I have a couple of shirtdresses that I can wear to nurse at home, but they're a pain for pumping at work (I have one of the hands-free bustiers for pumping). I'm wearing mostly knit tops these days. Things with very open necklines that I wear a cami under also work well. ------ --Michelle *** Blog: http://happilycaffeinated.blogspot.com/
Gyount Advanced Beginner Member since 8/9/12 Posts: 24	Login to reply to this post In reply to stirwatersblue << Like this post Date: 9/17/12 11:11 PM Quote: stirwatersblue How tall are you? I think that would make a huge difference in whether this will work or not. I'm 5'4" and about your size, and if I saw this in RTW, I would pass it up (particularly the cream/linen version). That's not saying it would definitely not work on me--sometimes things surprise you--but there are some things about it that are red flags. First, the length. Anything that "can also" be worn as a dress is guaranteed to make me look shorter and wider (and there's no way *I* would/could actually wear it as a dress). Second, the A-line shape. I've discovered that when it comes to tunics, surprisingly I look much better in things that are pretty straight up and down. It might be b/c my shoulders are narrower than my bust/hips, and the triangle look just accentuates that. A straight tunic makes *me* look straighter and slimmer. But, both of those things would be easy to adjust, if you decided you really, really like that top. And, honestly, you are totally allowed to love things (and make and wear them!) that aren't your most flattering shapes. Your choices of fabric and your customized fit can make them look their best (better than RTW). And, frankly, I think this goes double when you're nursing. New moms earn a little slack. -- Edited on 9/17/12 9:01 PM -- I'm 5'4" too. I also would pass on the cream, but I like lots of those I've seen on Flickr in other colors. Normally I like A-line stuff on me, but I am afraid those pleats would just look boxy. Hmm....
Gyount Advanced Beginner Member since 8/9/12 Posts: 24	Login to reply to this post In reply to meleliza << Like this post Date: 9/17/12 11:15 PM Yes, I had seen on the Lisette forum where someone mentioned modified the Portfolio to make it nursing accessible, which is why I originally decided to try it. On my first take, I actually did make a nursing version, then didn't end up going with the mod after when I was trying to figure out my fit issues. Your Ariposa tunic is cute!
Gyount Advanced Beginner Member since 8/9/12 Posts: 24	Login to reply to this post In reply to Fruzzle << Like this post Date: 9/17/12 11:20 PM That does look like a great pattern--I guess I'm more in the market for a dress pattern though. As one of the pps said, nursing is really a time for separates, but I am just so ready to have a few dresses i can wear after 3.5 years of nursing and no end in sight anytime soon! The sacrifices we make for our babies! Ok, y'all have convinced me to forgo the schoolhouse tunic, though I will probably give that Ashland dress a try.

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