FREE PATTERN: Swing Tunic

I have something really fun for you! This is a really easy and fun tunic with lots of swing. It has lots of growing room. It could fit from an 18 month old to maybe a 2 or a 3 year old. It could also be lengthened to a dress. It’s very simple so there are so many options for customization. My daughter loved running around in it and swinging back and forth! (She also got mud on it right before I took pictures!)

Supplies

• 2/3 yards of softer woven fabric like Cotton Lawn, Voile, etc. (Don’t use anything wider than 50″.)
• 3 yards of 1/2″ double fold bias tape*
• PRINT: Free Swing Tunic Pattern (size 18 mos – 2T)
• 1 button
• Sewing tools

Instructions

1. Gather your supplies.
2. Rip the edge of one edge of your fabric about 1″ in to get a straight edge. Measure up 15″ and rip again.

5. You will have two U-shaped cutouts from the top edge of the fabric in between the center line and the selvages.
6. Cut two sleeves on the fold from the remaining fabric. (I changed the shape after cutting this out, so your piece looks a little different.)

7. Sew the selvages together at 1/4″ stopping 5″ from the top. Iron the seam open and iron the 5″ open just like the seam.
8. Topstitch the seam allowances of the 5″ down at 1/8″ from the edge.

9. Use the bias binding to hem the sleeves and the bottom of the tunic.

11. Finish the raw edges with the bias tape. This will be on the outside of the tunic.
12. Sew the bias edge seam allowance down towards the sleeve.

13. Sew two gathering stitches along the top of the tunic at 1/4″ and 1/2″ starting and stopping at the opening in the back.
14. Gather the neckline to about 14″ depending on the size of your child. (Here’s different ways to gather.)
15. Cut a piece of bias binding that will fit around your button with some seam allowance to attach to the neckline. (Mine was 2 3/4″ but my button was really big.) Sew along the open edge to enclose the seams.
16. Cut some bias binding 15″. Fold over the raw edges 1/2″ and sew down.