I thought, since Shelly from Figgy’s Patterns was so kind as to give all of us a discount code (good until Wedesday! – get the discount code here!) that I would highlight it again today by making another Figgy’s pattern. This Banyan tunic has been in the back of my head for a while, all I needed was more fabric. Just for the record, I did look in my stash, but I did not have anything wide enough that was appropriate to use – off to the fabric store – too bad (wink!).

Figgy’s Banyan Tunic

I bought two rainbow coloured zippers a while ago on a half price sale – and thought, with two girls around, that the zippers would make “their project” apparent when it came to mind. This is it! I love the exposed zipper – it gives a more deconstructed look. My oldest gave me a huge grin when I showed her the back of the shirt. That’s good enough for me!

The fabric is a mid-to-lightweight jersey knit. Good for the transition from summer to fall. It drapes amazingly well, and is super soft. I think I need a shirt with the leftovers. Because it was a bit thicker and did not have the extra stretch of a lightweight knit it was much easier to stitch, thank goodness. I love the colour on my daughter, and we happened to have the perfect ($1 on sale) hat to “go with it”!

Though I like the shape of the original Banyan tee – the cap sleeves are so cute – I seem to end up making mine in chilly weather. So, I have extended the sleeves to make them longer in this tee. I also didn’t use a bias cut neck band because the time I did, it was so long the neck did not look right. I have made them since with a neck band cut across the fabric direction with the most stretch, and they have worked out fine. I do stretch the neck band a little as I stitch it on, maybe 25%, and have a little left over once I get to the ending point. This helps it not to sag and gap when it is being worn.

I stitched most of this shirt with my double-needle, but found out that it is not as good a solution as I was hoping. Because the double top threads use the same bobbin thread, it creates great stretch for sewing knits. However, it also allows the seam to pull apart so that the stitching is visible from the outside in places like the armscye and side seams. In the end I re-stitched the armscye seams with a single ballpoint needle, and left the side seams because they were not as visible. I think if I had used a more matchy thread they would have been “fine”, but I have learned my lesson – Don’t be lazy, change the needle!

Talking about changing the needle – this shirt was also an exercise in patience with changing my thread! I top-stitched and hemmed everything in a really great metallic variegated (rainbow – of course!) Gutermann thread. I love how it looks and it matches up well with the zipper. The girl’s both like how sparkly it is too. Anyhow – because of the change in thread my stitching went something like this…. 1. Stitch shoulder and neck band – Purple – Double Needle. 2. Stitch zipper – Black – Single Needle 3. Stitch other shoulder – Purple – Double Needle 4. Top-Stitch neckline and Pocket – Metallic – Double Needle 5. Stitch  Arm & Side Seams – Purple – Double Needle 6. Stitch…. anyhow, you get the picture! I think I spent as much time changing needles and thread as I spent sewing everything together!

The fit of Figgy’s Patterns is really good, and true to the sizing chart. I have not had problems with it when I have actually measured my child before picking the size! (Note to self – print and fill out your Thread Riding Hood measurment chart! Note to you – I stopped writing this blog post and printed two charts…) Okay, we’re back! So, needless to say, I think I should have picked the 4/5 instead of the 6/7 – it looks cute, but is a bit big. I also decided to make it in an 8/9 length to better cover her leggings, so it looks even larger. At least the shirt should last us a few years!

And the silliness ensues… was it the lollipop or the late nights? No one will ever know… at least we are having fun!

I realized today that Project Run and Play, Season 7 is up and going! If you’re quick  you can still enter their giveaway for the next few days. I’m hoping to remix the Oliver and S Popover Dress and add it to the sew-along list before Thursday. I’ve got a fun idea I can’t wait to see if I can make work! You can click on the link for a run-down of the Sew-Along themes for the 4 weeks. Are you going to Run and Play along?!