Fashion Sewing: Plain to Fabulous

LorraineTorrence Tunic NancyZieman Collage 2

Fashion Sewing: Plain to Fabulous

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LorraineTorrence Tunic NancyZieman Collage 2

Expressing yourself with fabric is one of the hallmarks of sewing. Whether it’s dramatic, casual, modern, or sophisticated, you can easily combine fabrics and techniques that showcase your sense of style. Lorraine Torrence is today’s Sewing With Nancy guest on the all-new Fashion Sewing: Plain to Fabulous Part One TV Show. Watch as Lorraine shares her knack for making a statement through sewing.

LorraineTorrence Tunic NancyZieman CoverLorraineTorrence Tunic NancyZieman Illos

On Sewing With Nancy, we’ll show how innovative sewing can be, using a basic tunic pattern. To show style changes, Lorraine and I use a classic tunic pattern called the Town & Country. Anytime there is an area like a front panel to fill, use that space to show your style! See how easy it is on part one of this new series, Fashion Sewing: Plain to Fabulous.

LorraineTorrence Tunic NancyZieman TanPrint

 

If you missed the episode, you can always catch up online at NancyZieman.com or watch the Fashion Sewing: Plain to Fabulous DVD from Nancy’s Notions.

Personlize Your Wardrobe with Fashion Sewing Techniques with Lorraine Torrence and Nancy Zieman | Sewing With Nancy | Jean Jacket

Hip to Be Square

Gather small strips of fabric that portray your sense of fashion, stitch into strip sets, and cut into squares. Fill the center panel of this tunic with small quilt squares or blocks that contrast with the basic tunic color. Like the song says, “It’s hip to be square.”

LorraineTorrence Tunic NancyZieman Quilty

Color Take Away

Turn a plain fabric into something fabulous with a stamp, stencil, or paintbrush. Rather than adding color, learn how to take color away from a natural fabric such as cotton, linen, or silk. Use a de-colorant gel—one of Lorraine’s artsy techniques. This method creates quite a unique garment, as you’ll see on Sewing With Nancy.

LorraineTorrence Tunic NancyZieman TanAndBlack

Bias Influences

Reflect your sense of style by adding artistic touches of fabric trim. Lorraine’s next tunic features complimentary and contrasting colors of squares and bias strips of fabric randomly stitched to the panel. The result—a fashion technique we call Bias Influences. It’s both a clever and tasteful fashion accent. Personalize your wardrobe with tips from today’s episode.

LorraineTorrence Tunic NancyZieman Green

The Magic of Texture

What was once ordinary can easily become dimensional! Through the magic of stitching and steaming, this one time perfectly flat layer of silk fabric is now completely textured—a stitching technique that adds character! It’s magical how simple steps can make such a dramatic difference. Watch the transformation on Sewing With Nancy.

LorraineTorrence Tunic NancyZieman Pink

Watch Fashion Sewing: Plain to Fabulous on Sewing With Nancy online.

FashionSewing 1102017 NancyZieman

For a chance to win a copy of Fashion Sewing: Plain to Fabulous DVD from Nancy’s Notionsplease leave a comment sharing which tunic style is your favorite.

Personlize Your Wardrobe with Fashion Sewing Techniques with Lorraine Torrence and Nancy Zieman | Sewing With Nancy | Jean Jacket

Nancy Zieman's Giveaway WinnerThe winner of a copy of Every Last Piece by Lynn Harris from F+W Media is Cheryl.

Her comment was, “Paris on a Shoestring…what a great way to use scraps and a favorite fabric.”

Every Last Piece by Lynn Harris | Sewing With Nancy | Nancy Zieman | Scrap Quilting

Bye for now,
Nancy Zieman The Blog

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93 Comments

  • Shelia Ward
    January 12, 2017

    I’m sorry because I know you asked for a favorite, but with all these beautiful fabrics and designs, it is just ttttoooo hard to pick just one. My vote, ALL OF THEM!!!!!!

  • Ennis A
    January 12, 2017

    Love, love all the tunics!!!! But my favorite is the one using Bias Influences. All of them are so nice!!

  • Linda Rupe
    January 12, 2017

    The Town and Country tunic is my favorite. It is so versatile. I can imagine it in luscious, dressy fabrics or comfy lounging fabrics.

  • A. Smith
    January 12, 2017

    All of them are wonderful! If I had to pick just one….. I think I would pick the color take away.

  • Florence Dupuis
    January 12, 2017

    Can’t choose just one. Different occasions call for different styles. Like them all.

  • Linda
    January 12, 2017

    I love tunics and wearable art and these ideas combine them beautifully! They’re all fabulous but I like the “artsy” flavor of the Bias Influence the best. There are limitless possiblities…..

  • Sara Byman
    January 12, 2017

    Oh, I like the Hip to be Square tunic! I like the possibilities of using bright colors to offset the black. What a great use of my scrap fabric! I also like the versatility of the length of the pattern.

  • Cara Tanaka
    January 12, 2017

    Too hard to decide. Love them ALL !!! But if I had to choose just one I would pick “Hip to be Square”

  • Linda E in AZ
    January 12, 2017

    I like the Bias Influences tunic – it looks active enough to attract the eye (instead of it looking at my width across the beam!).
    Thanks for the neat ideas.

  • CES
    January 12, 2017

    HIP TO BE SQUARE.. will deffinately make this outfit.
    very chic…

  • Dianna Kelly
    January 12, 2017

    Love all the lengths but especially the longer tunic.

  • Carol Burns
    January 12, 2017

    I love them all but I have to say the Hip to be Square really hit home with me. I love the dark with the bright burst of color that says, look at me.

  • Sarah Domster
    January 12, 2017

    I love the color take away style.

  • Simone P
    January 12, 2017

    Magic of Texture–love the length and I’m already thinking about all the ways I can use the silk in my stash!

  • DIANA MILLER
    January 12, 2017

    What a great pattern…..I like the quilt square….want to try that one.
    Very versatile pattern thank you for sharing.

  • BevM
    January 12, 2017

    I think the longer tunics are more flattering. What a cute way to show off unusual fabrics.

  • Dorothy
    January 12, 2017

    I love the bias tunic. I have a 13 yr old granddaughter that I can see making these for her. Also like the longer tunics for myself. So many possibilities.

  • Cande Gordon
    January 12, 2017

    Love the Hip To Be Square! The possibilities are endless. You can make it Bright and Fun or Tone on Tone for a subtle color play. Great stash buster.

  • Margaret Newey
    January 12, 2017

    Being fairly tall, the Colour take away would be fabulous with it’s longer length and flattering flare.

  • Joyce
    January 12, 2017

    Hip to Be Square. Love this idea!

  • Bonnye
    January 12, 2017

    What a nice basic pattern. I think all the styles are great but I especially like “Hip to be square”. I like wearing my quilting.

  • Bertha Wallace
    January 12, 2017

    I really like all the tunics, Hip to be Square intrigues me. I have to say that the Town and Country Tunic is my favorite. Imagine turning something plain and simple into something so beautiful and show off your style.

  • Marilyn Garcia
    January 12, 2017

    I love the magic of texture tunic using the town and country tunic pattern.

  • Kay Laing
    January 12, 2017

    Without a doubt, It’s Hip to be Square, because I love quilting. I can’t wait to make this!

  • Karen A
    January 12, 2017

    I like the longer tunic style and the Bias Influences design.

  • Sharon P
    January 12, 2017

    Love the textured one, but I must admit they are all wonderful.

  • Mary Furber
    January 12, 2017

    i like the “Hip to be Square” version of the tunic. Piecing the front panel allows you to add your own style to it. The length is flattering as well.

  • Nancy Kriner
    January 12, 2017

    OMG! I have been looking for something like this. I so want to jazz up my boring old clothes but wasn’t sure where to start and didn’t want them to look stranage. I love the Bias Influences tunic.

  • Lynn M Kuitems
    January 12, 2017

    The fashion tunic idea is ingenious. I have orphan blocks saved up and want to make some tops with those. I also love adding lace and think this would be superb for my wardrobe. I work in a farming community and need to be neat, trendy but not over the top. The longer tunic is my favorite since I don’t ever like to show my tummy. I hope to make several new tops. What great ideas!

  • Deborah Herold
    January 12, 2017

    The tan print is my favorite, but the quilty & pink & green run a close 2nd, 3rd & 4th!!!!!!!! Can you tell I like all of them?

  • Bobbie Blake
    January 12, 2017

    The tunic pattern is great for all figures. You can use your imagination and fabric in your stash to compliment and create wonderful designs. It is a fabulous sit design pattern.

  • Clovis
    January 12, 2017

    The tunics are lovely. I like the Color Take Away. It looks like African print. I think I have some left over fabric that would go good with black.

  • Jill Werschin
    January 12, 2017

    The bias influence tunic was so inspiring. Can’t wait to make my own.

  • Linda Ronczka
    January 12, 2017

    Even though I loved them all I think that the textured one is the one I’ll have to try.

  • Shirley W
    January 12, 2017

    I like Hip to be Square. As I love bright colors. this would be a great place to showcase them.

  • Susan
    January 12, 2017

    I just love the Plain to Fabulous tunic. I love the longer length which is more flattering to my figure and the insert in front can be made in so many ways to accent or diminish areas. I am anxious to try this!

  • PamB
    January 12, 2017

    I like the magic of texture!

  • Christy
    January 12, 2017

    I loved the bias tunic and hip to be square!

  • Virginia French
    January 12, 2017

    As a fiber artist who make her own cloth- I love this pattern!!! I can use the center panel to showcase all kinds of fabrics I have woven or ecoprinted or Felted! And I do love wearing tunics!

  • Cassy L.
    January 12, 2017

    Oh, I like the longer tunic and that fun space to play with texture and embelishment.

  • Joyce
    January 12, 2017

    What a beautiful way to have a canvas to do some of the painting or artistic designs without overdoing the look. Always like to make something interesting and unique

  • Arlene Aughey
    January 12, 2017

    I just love the Color Takeaway! It is a nice longer length, and i also like the 3.4 sleeves.

  • Carol
    January 12, 2017

    I love them all and have used bias to redo large tee shirts I have purchased on sale to “makeover”. I think now I will also start from scratch and include a middle panel. I may have a new favorite on the horizon!

  • Karen Christensen
    January 12, 2017

    My favorite technique is the bias.

  • Kathy B
    January 12, 2017

    I like the color take-away tunic; the beautiful front panel immediately caught my attention!

  • Diane S.
    January 12, 2017

    I like “Bias Influences.”

  • Nancy Toney
    January 12, 2017

    I loved all of them!! However I think my favorite is the one using quilt squares, there are so many options.

  • Jeri
    January 12, 2017

    I like them all, but think Bias Influences is my favorite.

  • Christina Gingerich
    January 12, 2017

    I liked a couple but the Biased influences really caught my eye! Would love to have this book! Thanks

  • Carolyn Balmanno
    January 12, 2017

    I love to create texture in my projects….bias allows a person to create curved lines with easy flow…..piecing appeals to my desire to quilt….and finally, there are some fabulous fabric panels which can be showcased…….adding beading to embellish. Oh my, how does a person pick a favorite? I am going to love this project.

  • Susan T
    January 12, 2017

    Color Take Away for me. Fab!

  • Mary Th
    January 12, 2017

    I don’t enjoy dressing like anyone else. With these techniques, I can be sure to be different. I am really intrigued with the discolorent techniques.

  • Jan F.
    January 12, 2017

    This is a great pattern! I like the bias top as it has so many possibilities. I can also see this made up in summer weight fabric with a lace overlay in the center.

  • Virginia
    January 12, 2017

    So glad you chose Lorraine to show off some of her wonderful ideas in clothing design. She continues to be an inspiration.

  • Martha
    January 12, 2017

    So many different ideas for the bias influences – think that is my first choice-

  • Gail Beam
    January 12, 2017

    All of the tunic styles exhibit such unique and different ideas, but I think my favorite is the bias influence technique.

  • Patricia Duke
    January 12, 2017

    I particularly like the design that looks like Chinese calligraphy, though I do not remember that design being taught in the program. All but the quilt-piecing ideas are appealing, though. (The quilt piecing idea looks too complicated to me; you can tell I am not a quilter.(

  • Karri H
    January 12, 2017

    What a great idea! It’s a perfect way to reflect YOU and standout from the crowd.

  • Susan Spiers
    January 12, 2017

    Love the Hip To Be Square-very nice-great idea!

  • Tina
    January 12, 2017

    I like the first tunic with a contrasting center panel. This looks like a great project.

  • Patricia Burke
    January 12, 2017

    I love the black tunic with the color takeaway panel. It is elegant and original.

  • michelle
    January 12, 2017

    That’s tough to pick just one…I think it would be Nancy’s take on the bias strips in a geometric spin. But the paint on decolorant had my mind racing too!

  • Sandra Bailey
    January 12, 2017

    I love them all . If I have to have a favorite it would be the black , but really I want to make them all .

  • Barbara Lussier
    January 12, 2017

    I love this pattern! I like the design on the Bias Influence. It reminded me of a set of embroidery designs that I own. I would love to add embroidery to the center panel.

  • Maureen S
    January 12, 2017

    What a great way to use the so many techniques we want to try. I love the one with the color take away.

  • Jeanne Kelly
    January 12, 2017

    What a great idea! I like the color takeaway the best!

  • MonicaAD
    January 12, 2017

    Hip to be Square is what to wear … FIESTA 🙂

  • Dean56
    January 12, 2017

    Basic influences!!!

  • Cathie Paski
    January 12, 2017

    My favorite is the bias influences. I love the tunic that Nancy was wearing. Such great ideas.

  • Debe
    January 12, 2017

    I like color take away. That is a neat technique.

  • Shirley Wilson
    January 12, 2017

    I am drawn to Bias Influences. I think it could be casual and wonderful to enjoy but, also, with the right colors it would be very elegant.

  • Althea Klosterman
    January 12, 2017

    I think the longer tunic would be elegant. As short as I am, I should be wearing a short tunic but I like a little bit of something flashy. To own the Tunic Fashion I am sure it will help me decide which is best for me. Thank you Nancy.

  • Helena C Villa
    January 13, 2017

    I love Plain to Fabulous. I can’t wait to try a new top for pants. Thanks for all the ideas.

  • mary m young
    January 13, 2017

    Ten or more years ago I was looking for a tunic pattern and they were hard to come by. Now they are everywhere, thank goodness! This winter I have made four in fleece and was thinking that something interesting could be done with the front panel. Thank you Nancy for giving me the perfect inspiration to go forward. I was also thinking that you could repurpose fabric that you already have in another garment.

  • Jennifer Shirley
    January 13, 2017

    I like the Magic of Texture variation of the tunic. I wear solid colors the majority of the time and this would be a great way to add some interest to my wardrobe.

  • Mary Ellen
    January 13, 2017

    Bias Influences is the one for me. It’s amazing how many choices that are provided. Thank you for the video.

  • Becky Canuteson
    January 13, 2017

    I would choose Hip to be Square colors on a long tunic. Bold and bright colors are my favorite choice for quilting.

  • Jean K.
    January 13, 2017

    I really like the multi-colored squares on point, but I love the idea of painting on the de-colorant to obtain many lighter shades of the background fabric. The grid backing that is sewn and steamed for a shrunken texture is pretty and a great effect also. I have an Accu-quilt Go machine so I am imagining using it to make bias tape and cut-out designs.

  • Michelle Lynch
    January 14, 2017

    Longer length tunic, 3/4 sleeve would probably be the 1st choice for me. I am especially intrigued by the discharge/colorant technique.

  • Bobbi Beharrell
    January 14, 2017

    I love the bias trim design, but would make it in the longer version.

  • Sandy Davis
    January 14, 2017

    The one shown with jeans is so cute & creative. What a great way to show off our sewing skills! Thank you!

  • Vicky K.
    January 15, 2017

    I like all of them but I think I would make the longer tunic first!

  • Anne Z.
    January 15, 2017

    I love the bias influence. It just gets my creative juices flowing. The otions are limitless.

  • Lynn Again
    January 15, 2017

    When I saw the Bias Influences top I thought it was a great way to introduce coordinating colors in the design. Applique, felting and couching are some of my favorite techniques!

  • kathy
    January 15, 2017

    What a great idea! I especially love the bias idea. A way to use a forgotten machine foot.

  • Michelle Hall
    January 15, 2017

    I really like the Hip to be Square Tunic but I think the magic of texture could be very cool too

  • Laurie Ladd
    January 18, 2017

    I really love the color take away, I can see using blue fabric and having a little bit of white showing. That’s if that is what will happen

  • Lori E
    January 19, 2017

    Wow ~ so many great ideas! It’s hard to choose a favorite but guess I’d go with the bias strip one. I can think of so many variations using just that technique.

  • Chrissie Griffith
    January 23, 2017

    I love the Bias Influence and have panels all ready to use! The tunic style is such a flattering style too!

  • Janet Weirauch
    January 25, 2017

    always love something I can decorate myself. Thx.

  • Tammie
    January 31, 2017

    I have seen that you use cutouts on to pieces of paper! What kind of paper do you use and what measurements do you use? I’m a want a be beginner so all the help I can get will be appreciated! Thanks for your help and your time!

      • Tammie
        February 1, 2017

        When you sew blouses and pant suit’s! Sometimes the patterns cost so much that when I get the material and everything else that I would need it cost the same as it would if I would pay for the outfit! That’s why I would like to know about the paper cutouts!

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