SEWING TUTORIAL: How to make the Luise Tunic

1.
Gather the
front pieces you will need.

Place the front panel and the side front panel together, right sides facing.
Stitch the side seam with a 3/8 inch seam allowance. Press the seams flat to the side of the top and repeat with the other side panel.
This needs to be done with both front bodice styles.

2.
Now, place the center back bodice pieces together, right sides facing and stitch the center back with a 3/8 inch seam allowance.
Open the seams flat.

3.
Now, add the side back panels, to the center back panel. Place them together, right sides facing. Then, stitch them with a 3/8 inch seam allowance.
After this, press the seams flat.

4.
Press seams flat, facing the side seam.
You can also topstitch the princess seams with a 1/8 inch seam allowance.
Now bring front and back bodice pieces to the table.

5.
Place front and back bodices together, right sides facing.

Match the shoulder and side seams.

6.
Now, stitch the shoulder seams and side seams with a 3/8 inch seam allowance.

7.
Bring the sleeves to the table and set the bodice aside.

8.
Fold the sleeve in half. Then, stitch the seam with a 3/8 inch seam allowance and press flat.

9.
Turn the sleeves to the right side and insert them into the bodice. Match the armhole notches and armhole seam with the bodice side seams.

10.
Then, stitch the sleeves to the bodice with a 3/8 inch seam allowance.

11.
Bring the sleeves to the wrong side and press them flat.
For the 3/4 sleeve length version, fold the sleeve using the pattern marks: the furthest line to the cuff is use to make the first fold.
Press flat.

12.
Grab the gather piece for the bottom area and baste it with a long stitch length.

13.
Then, gather the fabric and adjust to the bottom width of your tunic or dress. Secure the gathers by making a small knot on the thread.

14.
Now, place the bottom area to the tunic, matching the front princess seam to the bottom.
Stitch them together and press the seam flat.

15.
Turn the bottom area to the side and stitch it to the tunic or dress as shown in the illustration.
Do this and cover the bottom area of the tunic.

16.
For the 3/4 sleeve version only:
Make sure you have transfer all the marks for the sleeve cuffs into the fabric so you can follow the lines easily.

17.
Fold the sleeve using the pattern marks:
the furthest line to the cuff is use
to make the first fold to the
outside of the tunic.
Press flat.

18.
Then, fold the sleeve to the inside of
the tunic or dress,
following the second mark from the pattern piece.
Press the cuffs again.

19.
Now, fold 1/4 inch to the inside of the edge and press it flat.
Then, hand stitch the edge to the folded fabric on the cuff (not the outside fabric.
Press again.
FOR THE SHORTER SLEEVES:
Double fold the cuff area, first 1/4 inch and 1/2 inch after to the inside and press flat.

20.
Bring the front and back facing pieces to the table.
Use fusible interfacing to make the neckline sturdier.
Then, place the two back facing pieces together, right sides facing and stitch them with a 3/8 inch seam allowance.
Open and press flat.

21.
Then, stitch the front and back neckline facing together, right sides facing. Stitch the shoulder seams with a 3/8 inch seam allowance and press the seams flat.

22.
Now, place the facing on the neckline, right sides of the fabric facing together. Pin and stitch around the neckline and the front slot.
Then, press the seams flat before turning the facing to the inside.

23.
Finally, turn the facing to the inside and adjust the seams, so they do not show to the right side of the tunic.
Then, stitch the neckline with a 1/8 inch seam allowance.