Pattern Testing: Love Notions Terra Tunic Release

It’s one of my favorite days – NEW PATTERN RELEASE DAY!!!  The Terra Tunic is here – and I’m stoked to add more of this basic wardrobe builder to my collection!

Before I dive in, I want to share that I am honored to be a Love Notions (affiliate link) Ambassador.  This means that I receive a nominal compensation in exchange for pattern testing.  That said, all opinions blogged here are my own, and I only joined the team after willingly testing, uncompensated, because the patterns are THAT GOOD — this one is no exception!

Ok – onto the good stuff – the Terra Tunic is the latest top in Tami’s lineup.  This top is super versatile – with 6 different neckline options: scoop, v-neck, boatneck, hooded, funnel, and asymmetrical collar. It’s really clever how you can achieve different looks using different fabrics and either sizing up, down, or staying within your exact range.

Tami even created two video tutorials to make construction that much easier: one for the split hem and one for the welt pocket construction — easy peasy to get a nice neat finish (and add some new skills to your sewing toolkit)!

I made my funnel neck version from a gorgeous mustard double brushed poly from So Sew English.  I’ve been working on constructing a more versatile wardrobe by introducing more solid colors so that I can get dressed easier in the mornings (I LOVE my prints – but sometimes they clash and the solids just get so much more use).  I had a hard time picking between the mustard, dark ruby, dark denim and the teal – but since I knew I wanted to wear it with my latest vest (which I got on SUPER DEEP discount around the holidays) and my herringbone leggings – it quickly became clear that the mustard would be both a nice change for me, and a great complement for what I already had in my wardrobe.

(Still trying to decide if I love the vest photo or hate it — the verdict is still out by the way! 😂 🙈 😳)

For fellow seamstresses and fit focused sewists – I’ll share a little about sizing, fabric and the like (feel free to skip this and browse the photos if this isn’t your thing).  I was in between sizes based on high bust and sized down to a straight size x-small; this combined with the drape/stretch in the 4-way brushed poly fabric means that this garment fits closer to my body than you may see in some of my fellow testers photos.  Honestly – I probably SHOULD have completed a full bust adjustment (FBA) but it would not have been a large one, so I just skipped it.  The design has a fair amount of ease in the waist, so I would recommend selecting your size and adjusting your pattern based on your high-bust, full-bust, and hip measurements.

I completed my standard height adjustments, including shortening the pattern 0.5″ at the armscye and 1.5″ at the waist.  This worked perfect on me and still yielded a tunic with ample backside coverage on my 5’3″ frame. (Though this DBP fabric may be clinging just the slightest bit to my backside – eh, what are you going to do?)…  Also, you will notice a little bit of pulling across the chest on my version which I think is part earlier version (the cross-chest meaurement was increased in the final version), part fabric (like I mentioned the DBP can be drapey, aka a little clingy), and part size (maybe I should have actually completed the FBA) – and even with all that, I still intend to wear this until it falls apart (I should only hope to feel that way about every make).

Overall – this is such a great add to my basics arsenal!  I am seriously planning to complete a couple more of these — I’ve been eyeing the asymetrical (see Kristin’s version here – with the fabulous print matching).  That (or a boatneck – the tester photos knocked it out of the park on those!!!) may be next on my list, likely in a yummy French Terry, Double-Knit or Ponte!

-Mac