Monday, July 8, 2013

In Search of a Tunic

A few weeks ago I saw a lady at the farmers market wearing an Indian tunic. It was light and long and breezy and oh-so comfy-looking. I boldly asked if I could snap a photo, and she posed! I saved that photo ... somewhere. But search me if I know where it is now! Phooey. So, here's a picture of another shirt I have that's similar.
The lady's tunic top was much longer, probably to mid-thigh. The sleeves were 3/4 length. The neckline was simpler on hers than on this shirt. This neckline is too low for my taste, but if I button the buttons, it's okay.
I like the slits in the sleeves and sides.
But this shirt, although I wear it fine, is too snug for the kind of languid tunic I have in mind. I plan to sew one, and I wanted a linen or linen-like fabric. I was strolling through WalMart and found this blue fabric on their discount rack. It was $1/yard!
It is very sheer, but that's okay with me. I plan to wear it as a cover-up over my swimsuit, or else I'll wear it with a cami or tank underneath.
I could also tell you the hilarious story of the male WalMart employee from the hunting/fishing department who had to come over and cut fabric for us ladies in the fabric department, and how we waited so patiently during his ineptitude, knowing we could measure and cut the bolts easier without him (I was dumbfounded at his confusion in measuring the selvage on the table!), and how the lady in front of me finally just gave up and said she wasn't interested, and how I almost didn't get my fabric either because he could not figure out the little machine used to print the fabric ticket for scanning up front, all while he insisted he know what he was doing. But I won't.

4 comments:

Lisa Richards said...

The Walmart story WAS hilarious! It's a good thing you didn't have me measuring your material for you. I am truly inept! I LOVE this style of tunic, but I don't sew. There was a time you could order these from a catalog called Soul Flower, but now they've changed to more teen-agey clothing. Shucks! The purple cloth should make a beautiful tunic. Have fun!

Gumbo Lily said...

I love a light, airy tunic too. I have some white cotton ones that are very light and cool. I have seen some nifty ones at Global Market. Do you have something like that? I once bought a silk wrap-around skirt there which I still love. So bright and colorful and yet earthy.

Leslie said...

Oh, pretty! I love the colors of the tunic and the fabric. That is going to turn out beautifully.

Angela said...

I left you a big long comment but somehow didn't send it properly. Anyway, I will be glad to see your tunic! And you have perfectly described why I have not yet bought any fabric from our Wal-Mart. I miss the days when they had a much larger department and workers in there who knew about sewing. Enjoy your project!