Double Gauze Tunic

It is getting warmer, and I have been feeling the need to replace some of my standard knits with something more breathable and airy. Two words came to mind...double gauze.

I had everything I needed for this one. The double gauze from Birch Fabrics has been in my stash for over a year just waiting for the perfect project, or for me to get over my love of it enough to not worry about finding the perfect project. I'm pretty sure I picked it up from Fabric.com. 

And I had the pattern I wanted already in my stash as well, the Cheyenne Tunic from Hey June Handmade.

I had been staying away from wovens for a while. Too many sad experiences with bad necklines. 

For some reason, I thought it would be less work to makes something that didn't have a standard shirt collar, which I should know by now isn't the case. I also thought it would be easier to deal with a placket on the front than a full button band, which I also should know isn't the case. 

So I chose the 3/4 length sleeve, tunic length, view b (dropped neckline and half placket). 

I decided to go with pearl snaps for this one. I thought the color went well with the birds and I was too lazy for buttonholes.

Excuse the wrinkles. It actually isn't too bad considering this is double gauze and had been worn all day with just a quick spin in the dryer before taking some pics. I am willing to put up with a bit of wrinkling; this stuff is like wearing a cloud.

First of all, my execution here is not my best for sure, but it was my first time working through this pattern and it has been a while since I have made something with a collar like this. Also, double gauze can be a little different to work with. Although it is 100% cotton and irons well it is also a little... fluffy.

As with most of my woven shirts, especially those with shaped hems, I used bias tape to hem this one. It makes sure you get a nice even edge.  

Added bonus, the french seam makes for a nice, clean finish, especially helpful with the sleeves rolled up.

And I think I have finally learned the lesson EVERYONE has been trying to teach me, every pattern instruction, every article, every other sewist, that staystitching is the answer.  It really must be done. Every neckline I have executed since learning this lesson has laid perfectly. Every bias tape neckline, every collared one. 

I don't know why I thought I knew better. I kept thinking 'how much could I be stretching out the neck while I am working?'

A lot.

In fact, I remind myself that every time I can feel the resistance from the staystiching, I would otherwise have been stretching out the neckline. I won't be making that mistake again.

Notes to myself for the next time I make this, and I am pretty sure there will be a next time,  if I plan to roll up the sleeves, I will probably do a straight cuff band and avoid the placket. It will be a cleaner look and reduce the complexity.