Today I’m sharing the first pattern I’ve sewn from the latest sewing book by Named Clothing: Building the Pattern. It’s the Luova Tunic.

In a gorgeously summery Nani Iro cotton gauze.

Building the Pattern only caters for a maximum hip size of 118cm, so it is not at all an inclusive size range.

My Luova Tunic is a size 5 at the bust graded out to a size 7 at the hips (size 7 is the second largest size available). The Luova pattern also has a shirt and shirt dress variation. I was quite tempted by the latter but I already have so many shirt dresses. I would note that the size range for Building the Pattern is not inclusive.

There was something about the simplicity of the tunic that spoke to me, especially paired with such a special fabric, so that’s what I went with.

Sewing the Luova Tunic

This one was a pretty uneventful sew. I can’t say I followed the instructions very closely, so I don’t really have much to say about them.

The one little thing I would note is that the model wearing this dress in the Building the Pattern book must be extremely tall (or else the version shown in the book is shortened). Based on the photos in the book, I was actually worried the tunic would be too short for my preferences and had planned to shorten it. After checking the finished measurements, however, I decided against his as the Luova Tunic was actually much longer than I had expected.

I stuck with the length as designed and I actually ended up doing a slightly wider hem than recommended to shorten it a tiny bit!

I did make one aesthetic change to the pattern. The version in the book uses very cute snaps at the side of the skirt. It’s a really nice feature but I have a hatred of snaps, I didn’t have enough buttons to do it with buttons instead and I really wanted inseam pockets in addition to the chest pockets.

Chest pockets are cute but they’re not real pockets.

No-one wants a phone or a set of keys bustling against a breast!!

So I actually simplified the pattern to remove the placketted closing along the tunic side seam. I think I actually made a miscalculation when doing this, however, as my skirt ended up too big to match the bodice.

I resolved this easily by adding in a couple of small darts in the skirt. I actually like the little tiny bit of additional shape that this ends up giving to the tunic. It still looks like a straight tunic to the casual observer but I feel that it’s got a little bit of secret-extra-omph in there with those darts!

I sewed the Luova Tunic with the mindset that my objective was to create the perfect beach cover up.

And I think the end product is in the running.

I love the way the fabric has turned out (seriously, is there anything more fun than playing with pattern placement with a Nani Iro fabric?).

My Luova tunic is so lightweight and floaty. I feel like I have plenty of room but I’m not swimming in it either.

It’s really just right.

From the pictures in the book, I wasn’t totally convinced if I was going to like the little modern half-collar feature, but I actually like it more than I thought I would and I think it works well with the vibe of this garment.

All this Luova Tunic needs is a Greek island on which to wear it.

In fact, after the pandemic can someone please open a sewing getaway on a Greek island: boutique hotel filled with sewing machines, overlockers and ocean views, where sewists can escape for a week of sun, silence, sewing, wine and Mediterranean food? I’m pretty sure I’m not the only one who’d be in the market for that getaway!

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And speaking of getaways, here is a shot of my Luova tunic on vacation in Greece where it was hands down the outfit I wanted to reach for most in the sweltering heat!

If you want to see more of my sewing adventures, you can find me on Instagram here.