A Gauzy Cheyenne Tunic for Project Sew It

When Celina Bailey of Petit a Petit and Family announced her Project Sew it idea I had to join in. She’s joining together great sewing talents and committing to sewing one item a month, for most participants it seems to be a garment but it’s up to each individual and anyone can join.  I’m such a big fan of Celina’s style and inspired by her creativity plus I already make myself an item of clothing a month.  Project Sew it is a natural fit.  Yet, while I do make lot of clothing I’m using my Project Sew It time as an opportunity to focus and make garments that are a little more complicated or require stretching my skills a bit. My January garment is this gauzy Cheyenne Tunic in double gauze.  I was a pattern tester for the Cheyenne tunic, a Hey June pattern, so I was familiar with the pattern but working in the double gauze meant I had to take my time and work carefully.

The lovely fabric is a new release from Michael Miller by Sarah Jane called Sommer.  I was lucky enough to be given some of the double gauze and the crazy soft bubble gauze before it was released.  It’s been so fun to work with.  This double gauze is very lightweight and a bit sheer.  It’s so delicate, making it a perfect fit for the Cheyenne Tunic.

The Cheyenne Tunic is very professionally-designed with all french seams and otherwise enclosed seams throughout, so this loose delicate fabric has no chance of fraying.  Because, like any delicate fabric, this double gauze wants to fray and shift around.  It requires special handling.

It is worth the extra love and effort, though.  I just love how breezy and laid-back this tunic came out.

I made a few, very small changes to the original pattern.  Mostly, I omitted any and all interfacing because I wanted the collar and the sleeve cuffs to be loose and wrinkly in the perfect double-gauze kind of way.  I also stuck to just one pocket instead of two and I used snaps instead of buttons.  I like the way pearlized snaps are visible but don’t draw too much attention.

The combination of a complicated top and delicate, needs-lots-of-attention fabric was both a complete winner and a complete pain.  This top didn’t come together in a single afternoon but it was also absolutely worth the extra effort.  My only adaptations for working with the delicate fabric were to use a #70 needle and use my walking foot.  And take my time, lots of that.

Our family is planning a trip to Costa Rica over Spring Break and I’m thinking this Cheyenne will be great over a swimsuit on the beaches of Costa Rica. Don’t you think? I can almost feel the breeze already.  Somebody get me a pina colada!

Next up for February’s Project Sew it? I’m attempting my first jacket. I sourced some hard to find lightweight olive canvas for a Minoru Jacket…perhaps with a sherpa lined hood! Wish me luck. I’m so intimidated by jacket making but I think it’s time to tackle that feeling and bust it out.

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