This is the Berwick St. Tunic in an Australian aboriginal fabric print—my fourth Make Nine finish for 2021. This Make Nine finish checks the "New to Me" prompt as this is the first time making the Berwick St. Tunic pattern [by The Sewing Workshop]. I also learned a new construction detail: a concealed button placket.
The fabric is an Australian Aboriginal print called Gathering by the Creek (burgundy colorway) by Janet Long Nakamarra [for M&S Textiles Australia]. I loved this colorway the minute I saw it and knew it was destined to be a garment for me.
The warm Spring weather has turned around this week and the Berwick's long sleeves are a comfortable and welcome buffer against the cool temperature.
Details about the Berwick St. Tunic
This long-sleeved tunic has a mandarin collar, concealed front button placket, pleated front peplum, side vents, and sleeve plackets with narrow, buttoned cuffs. I have enjoyed working with The Sewing Workshop patterns—the style, the fit, the instructions are all good—and there are always interesting details or construction techniques included in the making of the garments. This one was no different.
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| The Berwick St. Tunic pattern. The fabric print is one of the Dreamtime designs by an Australian Aboriginal designer. Fabric from M&S Textiles Australia. |
The new garment construction detail for me was the concealed front button placket. The pattern instructions were right on point and I sailed through. Hint: if you're not proficient with making button holes, this placket has it covered (literally!).
In my case, I didn't have enough of the red colored buttons for the front and cuffs, so I used the off-color buttons under the placket and the red buttons at the top and cuffs—where the buttons would show. I opted not to put a button or button hole in the collar as I knew I would wear this garment open at the neck.
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| Different colored buttons used in the concealed front placket. |
I also sewed the sleeves closed with a non-functioning button. The sleeve openings are sufficiently wide to get my hands through.
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| Placket sleeves with a narrow cuff. |
The irregular stripe of Gathering by the Creek print runs uninterrupted down the single-piece bodice back. No pattern matching was needed! (Gotta love a great stripe!)
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| The Berwick, back view. |
The side vent allows for ample ease. And I have slightly lengthened the sleeves to suit my style... and long arms.
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| The Berwick's side vent. |
Because of the front peplum, you do have to put the tunic on over your head.
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| The Berwick St. Tunic, front view. |
For the next Berwick
Now that I have one make of the Berwick under my belt, the next time I use the pattern I'd incorporate modifications:
- give it a full front opening and omit the peplum,
- shorten to make it shirt length,
- eliminate the cuff plackets and just use the narrow cuffs,
- remember the total number of buttons needed.
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| Me in my new Australian aboriginal Berwick. |
All in all, it was a successful project and another Make Nine 2021 finish!
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| Make Nine 2021 worksheet: April update |
