Easy Summer Tunic Free Pattern Plus Tutorial

The first time I made this Easy Summer Boho Chic Tunic pattern, I had just turned 15 years old.  Originally a dress, I decided to remake and share it with you.  For me, it represents freedom which is why I wanted you to have it.

Long ago, at a  time when my parents were not getting along, my father worked far from home and would only come every three months.  My mother was in charge of a household and five kids and a very small business, so you can imagine her day.  I wanted to go to a school party and my sister wanted to come with me.  Needless to say, money for new outfits to go to school parties was not in the budget.  My mother always happy to help said: “I can only give you five dollars, see what you can do for you and your sister with that.”  I ran to the closest shop on our side of our small town and I purchased four meters of fabric.  I already had little thread, elastic, and lace at home.

I made a tunic for my sister and a dress for myself with the same pattern, two different fabrics, 2 different outfits no one ever noticed.  By the time I finished the outfits my father had come home.  He was not supposed to be back that weekend and he was none too pleased to learn about the school dance and he said we couldn't go. Instead, he said please make a big pot of coffee as someone is coming to see about buying a horse.  If by any chance you grew up in a small farming town, you would know that it is not a thing that happens fast –it takes a few hours of coffee, conversation and much observation of the horse before the transaction is concluded.

So my sister and I decided to escape through the window.  We jumped on our bicycles and went to the dance.  When I close my eyes, I can still remember the cool air through my hair and the excitement of showing up with a new outfit and potentially getting caught.  We had a great time at the dance.  On our return home,  Alas! the window was locked, so we had no choice but to use the front door.  Needless to say, we were grounded for a month. But it was so worth it.

I have made the tunic a few times here and there, but I still remember the first time I wore it. I felt free!  This is a super easy boho chic tunic, I recommend this project for a first-time sewer, young or mature, it doesn't really matter.

So what is Boho Chic anyway?  Please check out our background article from earlier this week.

So what is Boho Chic anyway?

Materials

• 2 to 3 yards of Japanese lawn, voile or silk
• 3/8″ to 1/4″ elastic, enough to go around the shoulders and the sleeves
• thread
• 1   3/4″ lace for the bottom
• 2 yards of cotton cord or a belt
• sewing machine
• serger (optional)

Pattern layout

I have tried to save you paper, hence the weird layout that might cause some confusion.

Download the Pattern

Cutting the Pattern

• Prepare the fabric by washing it and drying it before you cut it.  For more tips on mistakes to avoid when cutting fabric, please check out our tutorial on the topic.
• There are 21 pages to the pattern.
• Please cut the back on a fold.  Cut 2 fronts.  There will be a seam on the front.
• Cut 2 sleeves

Finished Garment Measurements

Making your Boho Chic Tunic

This a very easy tunic to make, the pattern has only three pieces and we will start by sewing the sides.

Take the back piece, print side up.Place the 2 front parts and sew the sides, use the serger or zig-zag to clean the seams and iron the sides. Before we can continue, we have to work on the sleeves.  The short side is the front and the high side is back. Sew the sides of the sleeves and use the serger or zigzag.  Iron the seams. Lay the back and front of the blouse and observe the shape of the armhole one side is higher than the other. Place the sleeve print side together and pin the sleeves.

Use the serger or zigzag and iron the seams.  Next, we will work on the neck.

Making the neck of your Boho Chic Tunic

Fold the edge of the neckline to 1/4″ and iron, fold again 1/2″ and iron.

Fold again 1/2″ and iron. Cut a piece of elastic the size of your shoulders tight enough to hold the tunic up but not so tight that when you lift your arms that the tunic rides up.  Pin the elastic to the neckline.  This is the quickest way to attach the elastic. Fold the edge over the elastic and topstitch the edge. Pull the elastic as you sew.  For a better understanding of this technique watch our video on sewing pajama shorts for men where I explain and demonstrate how to do this. Sew the fronts together and iron the seams open.  Leave a small opening to attach a string or ribbon as a closer.

Making the waist

The next step is making a casing for the belt or cord for the tunic and it is optional.  However, I would suggest doing it to stop the belt or cord of the tunic from riding up.  Cut a strip that will become the casing of 2″x 18″, fold the edges 1/4″ and iron.  Pin the casing to the back where the waist is and sew at 1/8″ seam from the edge.

Finishing the sleeves

Lastly, attach the elastic to the sleeves in the same manner you did the neck.  Fold the edge of the sleeve at 3/8″ and iron.

Pin the elastic and fold another 1/2″, and sew very close to the edge.

Finishing the hem and lace of your boho chic tunic

All that remains is to fold 1/4″ and iron.  Pin and sew the lace to the hem and ready to iron the entire tunic.

So do you think Boho Chic is a good style for you?  If you're not sure, give it a try and let us know how you go in the comments below.

A reader's take on this pattern…doesn't she looks awesome!

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