Another free tunic pattern for those of you who want to sew up some longer shirts to wear with leggings!
In case you missed it, last week I told you all about the great struggle I had with LulaRoe leggings (recap: I like them, but they’re too pricey and I don’t want to shop from FB lives, I just want to click and order from a website). Since I’ve found a just-as-buttery-soft and less-than-half-the-price substitute (Viv Collection leggings from Amazon), I’m now wearing leggings as often as I can justify. Thank the heavens above for elastic waist pants.
Goodness. I AM OLD.
Anyway, back to the point, if my old lady brain can find it. Leggings require longer shirts, at least for my bod, so I’ve been sewing up some tunics lately. Last week I shared a free pattern for a swingy tunic (kinda like the LulaRoe perfect tee). And today I’m showing you how to hack my easy Breezy Tee pattern and turn it into a Breezy Tunic.
How to make a long shirt (tunic) to wear with leggings
To make a Breezy tunic you will need my Breezy Tee pattern (in size large only, about a 38 inch bust but it’s a relaxed fit so would work for a bit larger as well). You can get the free pattern in this post. You’ll also find instructions for how to sew it up there as well.
To make the longer version, you will need just over 1 yard of 56-60 inch wide knit (stretchy) fabric. Wash and dry your fabric before cutting into it.
Free tunic pattern(long tee shirt) for women
To make a longer version, IÂ cut out the back piece first, adding 7 inches to the curved hemline. Then I cut out the front piece, adding 3.5 inches at the fold line, and then curving down to make it the same length at the side seam as the back piece. In the photo below the back piece is on the left (folded), the front piece is in the middle (folded) and the pattern is on the right.
You’ll also cut arm cuffs and a neckbinding piece as directed in the Breezy Tee post, and then you’ll sew it up following those directions as well.
One more new, easy to wear tunic to go with my new favorite leggings!
Tip: If you are planning to wear this shirt with Lula leggings or the similar leggings I found on Amazon, you’ll want to choose a fabric that is a bit slippery, otherwise it may not drape nicely across the brushed fabric of the leggings.
Dave and Dee King says
This is pretty and nicely simple. How about a couple layers of ruffles for the hem. I’m gonna try starting a layer of 6 inch wide gathering ruffles under the bust and another 6 inches under that one. Maybe wider I’ll have to measure myself.
Marsha L says
Can’t wait to try this pattern. I was so excited to find this which does look a lot like the LLR Perfect T. I tried to draft my own pattern off of a perfect T and messed up the neck band. So glad to find this with clear and well written instructions.
Jennifer says
Thank you so much for the wonderful patterns. I am new to sewing and so grateful to have found your blog. I am large busted and these shirts end up looking like big nightgowns on me. Do you have a suggestion for a dart I could use to make it look nicer with a large bust? I’m new to darts and can’t figure out which one to use. Thank you!
autumn says
Hi Jennifer! I don’t use darts on these patterns, but I do sometimes add elastic to give them a bit more shape. You can add a strip of elastic just across the back, like you see in this post: https://www.itsalwaysautumn.com/2015/10/26/the-breezy-tee-long-sleeve-sweater-dress-free-sewing-pattern.html
Or you can add elastic all the way around, like I did in this post: https://www.itsalwaysautumn.com/2017/03/27/easy-tee-shirt-midi-dress-sewing-tutorial.html
I hope one of these options helps! And you might want to check out the swing tunic pattern – it may be a bit more flattering: https://www.itsalwaysautumn.com/2017/09/08/tunic-sewing-pattern.html
Kristie says
Cute! I would so wear the leggings, if my hubby didn’t hate them! I love the outfit you have on in these pictures, so cute and comfy.