A simple silhouette is a must when you want a fabric to speak for itself, and the Laelia Tunic is the perfect versatile pattern for such a project. We paired with with an all-over sequin mesh and included a hem band to make it a great mini-dress option for a night out. Skip the band though, and you have a fluid tank that’s just begging to be made with a silk print or billowing crepe. However you choose to style your Laelia pattern, you’re sure to stay chic and comfortable!
Fabrics & materials used:
- 2 yards Black Baby Sequins on Mesh
- 2 yards Lucidem Dandelion Bemberg Lining
- 1 pkg Black Hook & Eyes
- MDF117 – The Laelia Tunic Sewing Pattern (free download below!)
Step 1
Once your pattern pieces are all cut out, we’ll start on sewing both the sequin layer and lining layer at the same time.
Step 2
Begin by attaching your front lining and back lining pieces at the shoulders and sides. Press open your seam allowances. Repeat with your sequin layer, skipping the pressing step.
Step 3
Sew up the center back seam, stopping about 4″ from the neckline. Press the seam open, and then repeat with your outer layer.
Step 4
Attach your lining to your sequin layer at the armscyes, like you see above. Attach your sequin layer of the collar to the neckline, and then sew your collar lining to the top three edges of the collar with the fabric faces together. Turn your collar right side out, and slip-stitch the lower edge closed. As you do, sew the lining to your sequins around the keyhole opening at the center back as well.
Step 5
Add some hook & eyes at the collar to secure it and then we’ll get started on finishing the bottom of your tunic.
Step 6
If you’re skipping the bottom hem band, simply hem the sequins and lining of your tunic and you’re all set!
If you’re using the hem band like we did, attach a back band to either side of the front band at the sides. Close the center back and with right sides together, sew the top of your band to the bottom of your tunic, lining up the sides and center back.
Step 7
Repeat with the facing pieces of your hem band, sew it along the bottom of your band with the faces together, and turn it right side out. Edge-stitch along the hem of your tunic and slip-stitch the raw edges on the inside of your garment. Give the lining layer of your tunic a small rolled hem.
Will you be giving the Laelia Tunic a try? I’d love to hear what fabric combinations you’re thinking for it. Let me know in the comments below!
Hello! I was wondering if you could recommend a contracting fabric for the collar and band that is not a sequin. Looking to make it a bit more mod and thought using a contracts on those parts would be fun and would love your feedback. Thank you!
Hmmm…so many options!! I’ve notice a recent trend in pairing velvet with sequins, which would be a much more comfortable option for the collar. If you want something simple though, to let the sequins pop that much more, you could just opt for a basic cotton – anything from a twill to a sateen would work just as well!
Can this be made in satin?
Yes! This dress would look lovely in satin. Nice idea!
Hi! Love the simplicity of this dress. I have a piece of brandy wine stretch velvet that would show off the fabric perfectly! Does it have to have a liner?
Thanks. Jennifer
Nope! The lining is just an option for semi-translucent fabrics like the sequins I used. 🙂
Have a question, just got the pattern and see I cut one of the front on fold, but the hem band (guessing this is the back) says cut 4 on fold. First time sewing something like this and see that i will have 5 pieces so I’m a little confused as to how this goes together.
Thank you, Dean
Hi Dean, the hem band is the band along the bottom of the tunic if you’d like to lengthen it to be a dress. One goes on the bottom of the front, one goes on the bottom of the back, and the last two are facings.
I think it’s a misprint on the wording. The back panel I cut two lining and two “sequin” panels. The hem looks to have been copied and pasted onto the backing piece and left unchanged. Small error of the otherwise great pattern!
I am curious about how to lengthen this to be a maxi length. Would I just take the side angle of the pattern and lengthen it, or would I have to do something else? I am a BRAND NEW sewer. I know how to sew a straight(ish) line. Thanks for any assistance you can provide!
Hi Donna! I would cut it straight across the middle somewhere and spread the bottom portion down to the length you want it. Then, take a yardstick and rework the sides from the armscye to the original hem so the bottom stays the same width. I hope that makes sense!
Me encanta el Estilo como a mí me gusta. Lo voy a hacer pero largo. Porque soy gordita de 53 años y me gusta vestir con modestia. Hay otro de volante que baje el material explicativo
Made this in a sparkly stretchy fabric. It looks AMAZING
Do any adjustments need to be made to use a jersey knit fabric for this?
Hi Jill! I would probably size down if using a jersey.
Hi Courtney,
I was wondering to ask you is seam allowance already included?
Hi, Elisa – yes a 1/2″ seam allowance is already included. 🙂
would it be possible to use a cotton? and if you could, would you need a lining?
Hi Charlotte, we’re sorry for the delay in responding to your question! We get dozens of comments and questions each day, and so many questions get buried and, unfortunately, unanswered. We are now focusing user support on patterns 2 years and newer. We hope this will prevent questions on our more current patterns from going unanswered. Although this is late, we wanted to respond in case anyone else has the same question: it depends! If you are using cotton sateen, yes you would need a lining. If you were planning to use a cotton knit, it will not require a lining.
I have some pleated rainbow ombre fabric I would like to use to make this dress, do you think it would work? Also, how do you recommend making this long?
Hi Anne-Marie, we’re sorry for the delay in responding to your question! We get dozens of comments and questions each day, and so many questions get buried and, unfortunately, unanswered. We are now focusing user support on patterns 2 years and newer. We hope this will prevent questions on our more current patterns from going unanswered. Although this is late, we wanted to respond in case anyone else has the same question: that fabric would look GORGEOUS! We actually made a redux of this tunic in various tiers to make it longer.
I want to rework a set I have. I’m thinking of using a plisse material in the color aqua.
That is great! We would love to see the finished result!
Is there any benefit of cutting this dress on the bias?
Cutting the fabric diagonally gives it more stretch and fluidity, resulting in a softer drape that gracefully follows the body’s curves and accentuates them.