Hello! My name is Vicky from blog sewstainability.wordpress.com and this is my first ever post on the Simple Sew blog – I am so excited it’s a Christmas one! For my festive make I chose the Simple Sew Anneka Tunic and some snuggly, velvety Navy needlecord from Dragonfly Fabrics. I think it’s cosy and gives a festive feel without being overtly Christmassy – meaning I can wear it all year round!
I am brand new to Simple Sew patterns as well as the blog and I must say I was pleasantly surprised at just how simple it was! I’ve made a few complicated things lately and this was nice and straightforward – exactly the palette cleanser I was looking for!
I only ordered 2m of fabric as I am always trying to cut down on waste and I find patterns always overestimate how much you need. For my size (size 14), the pattern recommends 2.33m of fabric and 2.08m of bias binding, I bought just 2m of each! I had a little bit of bias leftover but I did find I had actually underbought on the fabric a bit! If my fabric wasn’t directional then I could have flipped one of the pattern pieces round and 2m would have been plenty BUT needlecord has a nap and would look a different colour if I hadn’t cut them both in the same direction.
I had read a few people say it had come out a bit long on them so I cut 2 inches off the length and that made the pattern pieces fit on the 2m of fabric just fine! I must say I am thrilled with the length as it is and wouldn’t want it 2 inches longer – I am 5’7” for reference.
The fabric was lovely to work with, it is actually a stretch needlecord which the pattern doesn’t call for – but I just couldn’t resist how velvety and luxurious this looked! Anyway, even though the pattern doesn’t call for any stretch, I’m sure it will come in handy when I eat a bit too much Christmas dinner!
The Anneka tunic is a very simple sew indeed! It has just three pattern pieces – the front, the back and the pockets. It was a quick and satisfying sew – once the pockets are on, you sew in the pleats into the front and back and then it’s just a hem and binding the neck and armholes – this would be a great beginner pattern!
I chose a satin bias binding to finish my project as I thought five layers of the needlecord might end up a bit thick! I do think it would look lovely bound in self-fabric if you are using something a bit thinner though! I also chose not to line it, mainly out of laziness and the need for a quick and simple sew, but I did like that the pattern does include tips on how to add a lining should you wish!
I am so impressed with how fun and easy this pattern was to make that I can’t wait for my next Simple Sew Blogger Project! Until then, I want to wish you a merry Christmas if you celebrate and if not, have a happy new year!
Vicky x
If you’re inspired by Vicky’s make and fancy whipping up a Simple Sew Anneka Tunic dress, take a look at the pattern details below, which you can buy here. We love the ‘snuggly’ cord that Vicky chose from Dragonfly Fabrics and it’s also available in four other colourways.
