pattern tester roundup
Genevieve Tunic Dress Pattern Tester Roundup Part 1
Hi Ho my lovely friends. Today we have our Genevieve Rock Star Roadies Roundups – Part 1 – on our blog and this is such a fabulous way to showcase all of our stunning women in their fabulous makes. 💗
Contemporary, stylish and comfortable, the Genevieve Tunic or Dress is a fabulous option for adding a little extra flair to your look as it is an elevated everyday style that offers the perfect addition to your wardrobe.
Perfect for easy and comfortable everyday wearing the Genevieve is a must-have wardrobe staple offering a must-have transeasonal style.
Offering a Tunic or Dress length – along with 2 types of sleeve shapes – a fold up loose shirt sleeve or an on-trend tie cuff – the Genevieve will be your go to for a stylish easy to wear flattering silhouette.
The Genevieve Tunic and Dress offers a style choice of :
- Lengths – 60 cms (24″) and 55 cms (22″)
- Sleeves – Fold Back Tabbed 3/4 elbow, 3/4 Tied Cuffed, Elbow Tied Cuffed.
So lets get Part 1 of our roundups underway my friends – please a resounding WOO HOO for our Genevieve Rockstar Roadies. 💗
And our roadies would like to share the following with you all :
1. Your name and where you live ?
2. Your choice of option for the Genevieve and why ?
3. What fabric did you choose and where did you purchase ?
4. What alterations did you have to make to your Genevieve toile ?
5. What sewing tips can you share when sewing the Genevieve ?
6. What was your favourite thing about making the Genevieve ?
7. Did you make more than one combo of the Genevieve ?
8. Have you worn your Genevieve yet and what compliments did you receive ?
And the finer details; (AU/UK) 6 – 30 (US) 2 – 26 (EU) 34 – 58
Cup Sizes – B, C, D, DD
On Sale for a limited time only – $9.95(US)
Very Confident Advanced Beginner and Above Sewing level
Greetings from Milwaukee, Wisconsin. I am Allison and I made the Genevieve for my teen daughter, Megan.
For the wearable fit I made the top version from a light, drapey rayon fabric. It is a bright pink fabric with coral flamingos. Very fun for summer.
I also made her the dress length from a bright orange fabric with even brighter pink flowers. I purchased this fabric from Hobby Lobby. It has a linen-type finish, but significantly lighter and has fantastic drape.
When making Genevieve make sure to pay careful attention to the instructions for adding the band in the neckline. Other important parts are making sure your fabric has the right weight and drape, that is key for this on trend pattern. Since this pattern uses lighter woven fabrics, finishing your seams appropriately is imperative as well.
Megan wore the dress several times when we traveled to Florida. She received rave reviews from many people she came into contact with. As the weather gets warmer here, I think it will be a summer staple.
Megan added a belt at the waist and wore it with espadrille wedges. Perfect for a day on the town or dinner after time on the beach.
Thanks for another fantastic pattern!
Hi I am Beck S from Melbourne, Australia. I made my dress length Genevieve with a soft voile fabric from Drapers Fabrics. I really love how this style fits the shoulders so nicely and then drapes for airy comfort and style. I made a size 4D with tie sleeves, and no fit alterations were necessary. I styled my Genevieve with a ready to wear belt, but I will also wear it floaty and free in warmer weather. I am planning to make a couple of longer sleeve blouses next as I love how put together the Genevieve makes me feel! My instagram is: www.instagram.com/becksews
Hello, everybody, I am Camelia ( aka CalcedonisSewing ) and I live in Germany.
For my Genevieve, I used a crepe polyester, from Minerva, very soft and with great drape. A soft fabric will work best for this style.
Working with soft fabrics also brings a bit of extra care to the “sewing game”: handle your pieces with care after cutting, stay stitch the neckline curve ( sometimes, depending on how soft is the fabric I even stay stitch the armholes.) Again, do not move around too much with your cut pieces. Adding a bit of interfacing at the small edge on the bodice where the bands are coming together is also helpful to prevent fraying ( when cutting to the corners). I made the cuffed version with the ties and I also added a small piece of fusible interfacing on the slit area on the sleeve, very helpful.
On this, I made my usual fit alterations in the Designer Stitch patterns: swayback adjustment, narrow shoulder adjustment, and raised the point of the dart.
I found my fabric very sweet and thought gathers instead of pleats in the back will work better so I gathered the extra width at the center back.
I wore already my top and is such a great and easy style.
I definitely want to make a dress version too!
You can find all my makes on :
My YouTube channel https://www.youtube.com/calcedoniasewing
1. I’m Cassie from near Columbus, Ohio USA.
2. For my Genevieve, I used a rayon twill (I think?) that I bought from Blackbird Fabrics last summer.
3. Do everything really slowly, carefully, and precisely when sewing the placket! Also, I sewed the curved hem separately before attaching the front and back together which made it a lot easier.
4. I decided to make the blouse, though I do really love dresses a lot – I just wanted to make sure the fit was right before trying out a dress version and using up more fabric.
5. The only alteration I made for myself was to add a little bit of extra room in the top of the sleeves/armholes when I made my final garment.
6. I haven’t worn mine anywhere yet, but I’ve honestly mostly been home with sick kids lately so I haven’t been many places the past week!
7. I love the way Genevieve looks with a belt, but I sometimes get frustrated keeping belts in place when I wear them with dresses – so I’d like to make one either with beltloops to use with a normal belt or possibly with a channel for elastic sewn around the waist on the inside.
8. My Instagram is where I post nearly all my sewing projects: www.instagram.com/cassannebarry 🙂
Hi, its me again, Christine M. From the Netherlands. I made the Genevieve Tunic with bowties at the sleeves. in a soft peach skin, which I ordered at Driessenstoffen.nl
The Genevieve should have a nice drape, so be sure not to use stif fabrics. At first I was afraid to use my serger for this fabric, but it went just fine. Another option is to melt the seams to prevent them from fraying. Be sure to try is on a scrap of the fabric, before you burn a hole in your tunic.
I’ve worn the tunic to a tea-and-photo-date with my friend Brenda Hennis Verbaan We had so much fun! Have a look at our instagram profiles for the fun twinsies photo’s https://www.instagram.com/stienmakes
Hi, I’m Genevieve from the UK.
I chose to use Viscose Challis for my Genevieve which I purchased from Minerva.com
When sewing up your Genevieve be very accurate, baste and iron!!
I chose to make a top, as I’ve just returned to work after a very long break and this top is perfect.
I graded from a size 3 at the bust to a 5 at my waist and hip.
I’m still waiting for Spring to arrive in England so that I can wear my gorgeous top but this is a piece I’ll be wearing over and over. I’ve already made a second top using Crepe fabric. This style is 100% me.
Greetings, I’m Josee, from Ottawa, Canada
I made 2 Genevieve tunics with the sleeve ties. For my first make which served as a fitting toile, I used a linen and viscose blend obtained at Mimifabrics Canada. My second make was sewn in a silk border print purchased years ago at Darrell Thomas Textiles. The Genevieve tunic was the perfect pattern to make use of all the beautiful print.
As a sewing tip, it’s important to read the instructions carefully before starting sewing. You may hand baste the side of the placket if you are unsure about its final placement and to avoid pucker in the corner.
To fit my petite frame, I shortened the sleeves by 5/8 in (1.5 cm) and the bodice by 1 5/8 in (4 cm). The sleeves on the silk tunic were further shortened by another 6.5 cm.
I have worn my linen Genevieve as a casual top and received compliments about how stylish it looks with its front placket and high low hem. I love the unique sleeve ties detail and I am considering this modification on a other makes. I also plan sewing the dress version with the roll-up sleeves; I have already acquired the fabric for it.
You can follow me on my IG: https://www.instagram.com/couds_moi_ca/
1. Your name and where you live ?
My name’s Lianne and I live in tropical Singapore.
2. What fabric combinations did you choose and where did you purchase – make sure you add affiliate link to fabric seller if you are able
I used a digitally printed modal satin from Fabriclore. It’s a slippery fabric and probably above my skill level.
3. What sewing tips can you share when sewing the Genevieve ?
The hardest part about the Genevieve is getting the placket right. Make sure you cut the pieces and sew your seam allowances accurately.
4. What was your style choice for the Genevieve ?
The dress length with straight back, three quarter sleeve length and tie cuffs.
5. What fit alterations did you have to make to the Genevieve ?
I made a straight size 3 and raised the darts. Otherwise there were no other modifications.
6. Have you worn your Genevieve yet and what compliments did you receive.
Not yet but I plan to wear it to work.
7. Any plans for future combinations of the Genevieve ?
I think I will make a shirt/tunic version in a light cotton. I think it’ll be great to pair with jeans or trousers.
8. Social media URLS
Hi! I’m Malena from Sherbrooke, Qc, Canada! I make my gorgeous Genevieve blouse with a very light and silky polyester fabric from Fabricville. I’m in love with the result! As a tip, make sure you take your time sewing the front placket and follow all the steps for a wrinkle free placket! It looks harder than it is… but take your time! When thinking about my final Genevieve, I wanted to make sure I could wear it for work with a dressy skirt or pants, but also wear it to go out with friends! To accommodate my post-pregnancy belly, I sized up one size on the bottom of the blouse. It’s a very forgiving pattern! I wore my Genevieve blouse to a diner with sewing friends and they told me it was very classy yet comfortable! And that it looked store-bought! My next plan is to make a Genevieve dress with a nice crepe fabric! Https://www.instagram.com/margumedes
1. I’m Gabrielle and I’m from Singapore.
2. I’ve used polyester which I’ve bought from a local fabric shop.
3. Think through and read the instructions carefully. Go through the sewing steps in the head before sewing it.
4. Dress
5. Size 1B. 55 cm dress length. No other alterations made.
6. Yes I’ve worn it. It’s beautiful!
7. I hope that there would be a shorter sleeve version. In Singapore where I live, the weather is very warm and a shorter version would be great.
8. IG: sewnbygab
Hello! My name is Sophie and I live in Vienna, Austria.
I used a super soft rayon for my Genevieve tie sleeves top. I made my usual size 4 with no modifications.
I recommend reading the whole instruction before beginning and if using a fabric the frays to zigzag or overlock the cut edges. Take it slow especially on the placket .
I have fabric on the way for another one as my bestie came to visit and immediately claimed this one! 😅 I can’t wait to sew a couple solids.
Hi! I’m Stephanie from Oklahoma, USA! I had some lovely silks stashed away that I had orginally bought to use for the Josie pattern from Boho Fabrics (http://rwrd.io/zvuuzvb?c), but I got distracted with other sewing and they were just begging to be used. Pressing is the biggest thing with the Genevieve, as long as you get the front fold pressed well you’re off to a flying start. I made two blouse versions, one with the sleeve ties and pleated back and the other with the straight back and sleeve tabs because I need more nice work blouses and a girl simply cannot stick with one pattern option. I graded both of my blouses out for my waist, but otherwise didn’t need any alterations. I have a gorgeous green silky rayon blend that badly wants to be a dress version; hopefully it has more luck than my wishful thinking Josies. Check out my Genevieve’s on my IG at https://www.instagram.com/scrapsandscissortails/
Hello DesignerStitch community. My name is Taryn and I live in Cape Town South Africa. I was convinced I was going to use fabric from my stash but when I went shopping for another fabric, this beautiful bright striped and floral woven fabric had my name on it and as luck would have it, there was just enough there to make the longest length Genevieve and tie belt. The placket can be a little tricky so my advice would be to take your time on it, follow the instructions to the letter and be as accurate as possible in each of the steps for a flawless finish. And don’t forget to iron at every step. I chose to go with the fold up sleeve with button for this version. While the fit of Genevieve is designed to be easy, I did grade up sizes for my lower body curves. I also made up a tie belt from the same fabric and love that you can change up the silhouette by adding a belt. We went away for a few days and my Genevieve went with me so I could take photos which my sister kindly helped me with this time around. As we were beachside on holiday, my sister and I agreed it would make a lovely swim cover as well and could easily take you from the pool to lounge with a few simple changes. The plan is to make a tunic version with the bow sleeves which I hope to tackle soon. You can see Genevieve and other creations on Facebook or Instagram.
Hello, my name is April and I live in the North woods of Wisconsin here in the US! For my Genevieve I used a light weight and flowy rayon from my husbands grandmothers stash. This is a great pattern that yields professional results. My advice would be to take it slow and baste your placket first so you know you’ve done it right to begin with!
I made the top version in a size 2B with no alterations. I’m 5’7” and it is exactly what I wanted! I’ve worn it a handful and places and have gotten some comments on the cute ties on the sleeves. For my next one I want to make it in a lightweight crepe! Hope you enjoy your Genevieve as much as I do.