Whether you’re a beginner sewist or just looking to add some basics to your closet, The Molina Tunic sewing pattern needs to be your next project. With the growing popularity of Capsule Wardrobes, simple designs are finding their way onto people’s sewing lists more and more. This pattern’s minimalist look gives you every opportunity to make it your own. Make it a wardrobe staple with a solid peachskin like we did, or make a statement with one of Mood’s Exclusive Collections. Use the optional necktie for an easy contrast or add some trim along the hem to turn a simple tank into and adorable mini dress!
Fabrics & materials used:
- Basic:
- 2 yards Navy Polyester Peachskin
- Upgrade:
- MDF120 – The Molina Tunic Sewing Pattern (free download below!)
To start, both version go together the same way. Begin by attaching the front and back facing pieces at the shoulders and sides, like you see below.
Press your seams open and then repeat with your regular shirt pieces, attaching them at the shoulders and sides. Note, I chose to use French seams for the sides of the shirt since only the top portion is faced.
Fold the bottom 1/4″ of your facing upward, towards the wrong side of the fabric and edge-stitch. Pin the facing around the neckline of your shirt, fabric faces together, and sew. Clip the seam allowance so the fabric doesn’t pull when you flip it. Turn the garment right side out, and press. Sew the facing at the armholes and clip your seam allowances. Again, press.
Lastly, hem the bottom of your tunic and your basic garment is complete!
If you’re upgrading your garment with the optional necktie, add your grommets 2.5″ from the bottom of the v-neck by following the directions on your grommet plier kit.
To make the tie, fold your fabric in half along the length and sew along one short side and the long edge. Turn the fabric right side out through the opening at the end and press. Slip-stitch the open end closed and press again.
Which version of The Molina will you be trying out? Let me know in the comments!
For More Inspiration and Pattern Hack Using the Molina Tunic, Click the Link Below:
Molina Tunic Redux – Free Sewing Pattern
48 comments
Hi, thanks so much for this beautiful pattern. When putting the pattern together, should the edges of the paper be cut or should they be taped as is?
Hi Arika! I personally don’t trim the paper edges, but you could if you wanted. As long as your printer is scaled to 100% and you match up the guidelines at the corners of your paper, you should be all good. 🙂
wonderful sewing pattern
Is the 1/2″ seam allowance included on the pattern, or do I need to mark that on my fabric before cutting. (I’ve downloaded patterns elsewhere where this was the case. ??)
Hi Dee, this pattern includes a 1/2″ seam allowance already. 🙂
Hello! Will this work in a non-stretch fabric? How much ease is built into the pattern? Thank you!
Hi, Jean! Yes, the peachskin I used for this one was non-stretch. 🙂
I love the look, thanks for the pattern! If I want to make it out of a fabric I have that is 45″ wide will that work with the suggested two yards? thanks
Hi Cathy, 2 yards should still be good, but if you have a print with a noticeable direction, you may want to get an extra half yard or so just to be safe!
More pictures and details would be really appreciated. I’m a beginner and I found the directions to be kind of vague. Like I’m confused on how to attach the facing to the sleeves.
Hi Kelly,
Take a look at this redux, which contains instructions on how to finish the arm facings.
Thank you. My granddaughter will love this!
Are there written instructions for this pattern?
Hi Rose! The instructions are the blog post above. 🙂
Hi Courtney! Is there a copy shop-sized download option that I am not seeing? Thanks for your time!
Unfortunately not at the moment, but we’re hoping to offer alternative file types in the future!
Thank you very much for this pattern. Just what I was looking for. Am grateful for the extended sizes too.
Thank you very much.
Thank you
This is my first download. Can this also be made with stretch fabrics?
Hi Mary! You can certainly use a stretch fabric for this as well – we used a liverpool knit for this version here. 🙂
Thanks
Thank you, I can’t wait to give this a try. Beautiful!
This is such a pretty silhouette – so many tunics are just boxy rectangles, and I don’t understand that. Those work for very few bodies without looking like a potato sack. Thank you for this. 🙂
Could you give more detail about how to sew the facing at the armholes when the garment is right side out, please? I’m almost finished but I can’t figure out this step.
Hi, Joy! This illustrated tutorial might help – it has a few different methods! 🙂
I can’t wait to make this top. I’m just about to print, but I have a quick question. Can I use a lining fabric for the facings instead of the same fabric as the rest of the top? thanks!
Hi Charonique! It is certainly possible. However, if you are making Option A with the grommets, we recommend using the same fabric for the facings, as it adds a little extra strength along high-stress areas. 🙂
Thank you!
Hi, enjoying the pattern so far, thanks! but I’m stuck after attaching the lining at the neck, right sides together and flipping it inside the tunic. If I sew the arm cyces together I’ve got 2 raw edges? It says sew the armholes? How should I finish to.ensure a neat edge? I’ve looked at the link you sent Joy with tutorials but none of these fit with this scenario?
Been scraping my head for couple hours now hahaha. Any help appreciated x
Hi Kristy, sew your lining right sides together at the shoulders and side seams. Press the seams open. Take your newly sewn lining, and pin to the neckline of the top, right sides together. Make sure the side seams and shoulder seams of the lining and top are matched, then sew. Clip the curves. Unfold and iron the seam allowance towards the lining. Understitch to make sure the lining stays inside, then continue folding the lining completely inwards, and press.
But how do you finish the armholes?
Sew the facing around the armholes and clip the seam allowances.
Are the measurements given for the sizes body measurements or finished garment measurements?
Hi Megan! They are body measurements. 😀
This still doesn’t explained how to sew the arm holes. I really may be thick lol, but I can’t make it work.
Hi Ruth!
We’re sorry for the late reply. We have over 350 free sewing patterns and receive dozens of in-depth technical questions each day. Unfortunately there are questions that slip through the cracks. This is why we are directing our focus on supporting customers who are sewing patterns up to 2 years old. However, we realize this is a common question on this post, so we are revising the directions. Thank you for your understanding!
Can you Get a short sleeve pattern along with this pattern i dont care to wear short sleeves at all, however I do love this pattern but to download it for my use I would for sure need it to have short sleeve pattern with it. Thank You.
Is there anything special I should know if I want to use a lightweight cotton or linen fabric for this pattern? Also, do you have any patterns for sleeveless shirts with different necklines?
Hi Adelle, those fabrics will definitely work with the Molina Tunic! Most of our shirt patterns can be made sleeveless without much difficultyl. As long as there’s a seam on the shoulder, simply omit the sleeves and finish the edges! 🙂
I’ve just found this website and love the sewing patterns available, howewer, is there anywhere that gives the quantity of fabric required for each size/option for patterns or does the quantity detailed at the top cover all sizes as there is nothing on the patterns either?
Hi Lucy,
We’re sorry for the late reply, but nevertheless, details can be found in the Shop This Look box at the top right hand corner of this post!
Just a suggestion with regards to the stitching of the lining and the armholes… it would be helpful to indicate that they get done before stitching the side seams as once the side seams are done you can no longer use the burrito method of doing the armholes.
Thanks
Thank you for sending me an email with the link for this pattern. However, I can’t download the pattern to my computer.. Could you please try something else?
Download Instructions for opening older Mood Fabrics Free Sewing Patterns:
For older patterns, when opening the download link shared to your email, the link opens to a new page which looks like the screenshot below.
Scroll down, then click on the orange box titled “Click here to Download Your Free Sewing Pattern”.
A new tab will open in your browser that will contain the PDF pattern.
If you want to download the pattern to your device, you will need to click on the download icon.
Happy Sewing!
The MoodSewciety Team
thanks for this pattern. I will make it again, and then I will know better how to construct. The benefit this time was that I used my stash and franken-sewed a pair of sleeves into it from a shirt that I stopped wearing because the print was just too busy for the style, but it’s a good combo with the pale gray poly I used for the tunic.
Absolutely love this pattern! Has anyone made a dress-length version? Any tips?