Sunshine Day Tunic and Clam Diggers - Tutorial

Well, the name is Sunshine Day BUT the pictures for this were taken on the COLDEST day we have had since moving here!!!!! LOL There was no way I was going to make Cailey stand outside in 40 degrees.....



For some reason this outfit (or maybe just the striped fabric) reminds me of.......



http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=NaCCG7QkM_c



Y'all remember that, right??? LOL I loved watching Brady Bunch reruns after school when I was a kid.





ANYWAY.... Here is the tutorial.





What I used - 

3/4 yard of the stripes (very silky and flowy)

1/4 yard of the gold cotton for the yoke at the top

1 yard of heavier, stretchier cotton for the clam diggers

1" elastic











I had this idea... I was going to make the front and back yoke one piece.... with lining..... Yeah... I even cut a muslin (above).

It took me a bit to figure out the problem. LOL

One I realized that I wouldn't be able to turn it right side out after sewing the lining, I resigned myself to 4 pieces instead of 2.







So, then I made a pattern piece after much measuring and figuring. LOL











Pin the lining pieces to the main pieces and sew all around, leaving the bottom open.









Clip the corners, turn right side out and press.









Cut the pieces for the bottom of the tunic. I cut the top of it about a 1/4" wider than the bottom of the yoke.

Make it as long as you like, widening as you go and curving the bottom.









Pin the bottom of the yoke to the top of the bottom piece, with right sides together. Sew then press your seams.











Now, pin the front to the back, with right sides together. Sew the shoulder and the sides.



Next, fold up and press 1/2" on the bottom. Then fold up and press 3/4". Sew the hem.









Remove the cat from your work space.









Grab a pair of your child's pants to use as a cutting guide for the clam diggers. Turn up the leg bottoms to your desired length.











If you have a right side/wrong side fabric, you will want to flip the pants guide over to cut the second leg.









Sew up the inseam from the bottom to the start of the crotch curve.

(If your child is very small, you will want to hem them first.)









Turn one leg right side out and slide it into the other leg. Pin and sew.









Now for the elastic casing. Fold over 1/4" and press. Fold over again by just over 1", press and sew the casing, making sure to leave a section open to insert the elastic.









Pin the ends of the elastic and insert into the opening.

Then pull both ends out and secure with zigzag stitches.

Sew the opening closed.









Fold up and press the bottom of the legs by 1/2". Fold up and press another 1/2" and sew the hem!





Turn right side out and press!



YOU ARE DONE!!!! :D







As always, let me know if you have any questions. You can always use the Contact Me button at the top of the page.

I hope you enjoyed this tutorial!