I had planned to make a Flutter Tunic designed by Papercut Patterns for a few weeks now. I am so excited that finally I got to make it and it turned out as I had hoped it would. It was three hours well spent, including sewing a toile (wearable test version made from cheaper fabric).
It is impossible to not fall in love with this design, it is modern, flattering, comfortable to wear and perfect for all seasons. I plan to wear it with dark tights during cold days and as a summer dress when we finally get some sunshine.
One of the main reasons I chose this pattern is its deep V shaped open back, it is such a beautiful detail, turning it from a casual tunic to more dressy evening wear. Fabric is also one of the main reasons for this project to be successful. I love the Moonstone fabric design by Atelier Brunette, both colours pink and green. I wanted this tunic to be for evening wear, feminine look and this fabric design coupled with the drape viscose has to offer is just a perfect match!
It is not only one of the easiest and quickest sewing projects but also very economical and this is why:
- It is just a three part pattern, the front, back and sleeves: less time is needed to cut and assemble.
- It needs just over 1 meter of fabric in 140 cm width. If you have an eye on one of the more expensive precious fabrics like I did, go for this pattern. I have not made a dress yet with such little amount of fabric, plus there is a very little risk to make mistakes due to pattern simplicity.
- The only sewing material needed apart from a thread is a matching bias binding. Believe it or not I made my own bias with the remnants of the same 1.25 meters of fabric. and I loved it as it was the first time I made my own bias binding. In addition it was a very therapeutic process using this godsend tool in this image below. 
- Choosing the size was fairly straight forward. I chose size Small based on the nearest bust measurement and went size smaller (96/94) rather than larger as it was not the exact measure, it turned out spot on. Most of the time patterns come quite generous with sizes, for this reason I decided to make a toile but I did not really need one as this was so precise.
- The only additional step I made that was not included in the instructions is stay stitching the neckline as it is prone to stretching while ironing and working on it. Stay stitching involves sewing over the edge of neckline with 0.5 cm seam allowance to stop the fabric from stretching.
- Apart from this the main difference to other patterns is that it only includes 1 cm seam allowance not 1.50 cm which seems to be the norm and it is easy to forget during sewing.
- lastly, if you are a complete beginner, the only more advanced stage in making this dress is sewing bias binding around the neckline. I suggest you use a lot of pins all around the neck before sewing it on and you are good to go. See images below, including the sewing process.
For finishing edges I chose a simple approach and top stitched both sleeves and hemline using 1 cm seam allowance.
I hope this review is useful and will make your Flutter Tunic sewing experience enjoyable. Happy Sewing!
Liana
P.S. Do not forget to get a generous size of nice cup of tea before start and of course the notches!