Skill Level - Confident Beginner
Fabric - Discovery Fabrics' Bamboo Terry
Skills - Basic Pattern Hacking
The Terra Tunic was the first pattern I was privileged to help test for Love Notions and it will always have a place in my heart. The Terra Tunic is a straight fitting top while not being too fitted. One of the great things about this pattern is the variety of neck styles - scoop, v-neck, funnel, boat, asymmetrical and hooded. I've sewn 4 of them and found them all an easy sew. This time, however, I wanted to take the cowl neck from the La Bella Donna and put it on the Terra Tunic.
I had a length of beautiful bamboo terry from Discovery Fabrics that I wanted to use - a deep rich purple with a wonderful hand and lovely drape. The soft inside will be just so cosy when cool weather comes. Discovery Fabrics carries quality fabrics at reasonable prices and their service is always excellent.
Then I serge the seam starting at the sleeve end and when I get to the machine stitched portion, I veer off sharply - I fold the seam off to the left to make this move easier.
Now to the ironing board. Press side seams to the back and when you get to the split hem, fold back the vent pieces and give it a good steam press. If you have a clapper, this is one of those perfect times to use it so you get the top of the vent as flat as possible.
I've used the asymmetrical neck for one I did a Love Notions blog post on embellishing with grommets. If you want to know more about this one, here's a link - How to Add Grommets to a Split Hem.
And I used an amazing border print for the funnel neck Terra Tunic I made during testing.
We are often asked in the Love Notions Pattern Support group if it's possible to take a neckline or sleeve from one pattern and take it to another. And of course, the answer is yes - and it's actually quite easy.
First I print out and tape together the pattern - but I don't trim the pattern yet.
I lay the La Bella Donna pattern on top of the Terra Tunic front and back, tracing the neckline on the pattern. Now that I have the neckline I want, I simply use the cowl neck piece from the La Bella Donna and sew it in following the instructions for La Bella Donna. It's a simple as that!
Serging the side seams
The Terra Tunic has a split hem with the back being a little longer than the front. The instructions say to machine stitch the side seams - and of course that works perfectly. I love my serger, however, and wanted to serge those side seams. But how do you do that with a split hem? It's not hard!
I machine stitch the area at the top of the split hem - starting a couple of inches above.
I love my Terra Tunics. 
I've made matching mother/daughter ones for my daughter-in-law and granddaughter with the boat necks. If you want to know how I made my granddaughter's tunic to match her mother's check this link out - Mummy & Me Terra Tunics.
The Terra Tunic gives you options that allow you to make comfortable, attractive tunics with neck styles that will make every shirt different and unique. If you don't already have this pattern, you can get it through my affiliate link below.
