November 10, 2016

Mixing it up! All-knit Washington Tunic


As the weather’s getting chillier, I’ve become obsessed with cosy comfortable clothes… and let’s face it, there’s not much that’s more comfy than knit tunics and leggings. I have a suspicion it’s going to become my outfit of choice this winter… Β I’ve wanted to make myself an all-knit Washington DressΒ for a while, so I decided to give it a go, and shorten it to tunic length.

Cashmerette Washington Tunic

I used a lovely heathered jersey/terry (not quite as hefty as a terry, not quite as light as a jersey.. somewhere in between!) from Gather Here, and cut all the pieces from the knit, rather than using a woven for the skirt, as indicated in the pattern. Using all jersey works perfectly! The key thing with this pattern is the bodice and at least the back yoke need to be made of a knit; the skirt and front yoke can be from a woven OR a knit. Β I’ve put on weight recently but the Washington is my friend, because the drafting means it skims right over the tum πŸ™‚

Cashmerette Washington Tunic

To make it a tunic, I simply cut the bottom off the pattern, using my Concord T-Shirt Dress as a guide for length.
Cashmerette Washington Tunic

The result is a snuggly basic which can be made a little more fun with accessories… I’m thinking of wearing brightly coloured leggings with it soon! (Oh, the throwback to my teenage years in the 90s…).

Cashmerette Washington Tunic

And, as it’s Fall, I did the obligatory leaf-throwing shot!

Cashmerette Washington Tunic

Are you a tunic + leggings fan? It may not be the most flattering look, but hey, sometimes I just don’t care about flattering!

22 thoughts on “Mixing it up! All-knit Washington Tunic

  1. Rachel says:

    This is lovely Jenny, and beautiful autumn pictures too!

  2. I might like this even better than the dress version! It’s adorable and to my eye, very flattering!

  3. wakeymakes says:

    Very flattering. Love leggings and tunics K xXx

  4. PsychicKathleen says:

    Love your idea – I have the Washington pattern (of course!) and I agree it has all sorts of possibilities! Tunic and leggings are my uniform Jenny πŸ™‚ I love it! I’ve sewn with this fabric – I actually made a whole outfit – pants and tunic with it and it’s my favourite thing to wear.

    1. Isn’t it great? I kind of want a whole wardrobe made of heathered terry….

  5. carlalissa says:

    You are rocking it amazingly!!!

  6. Delores Brown says:

    I love this look on you. I made my first Washington dress a few weeks ago and have made 4 so far. I’ve been wanting to make one in a single fabric. The tunic idea is great since I wear leggings a lot even if I’m a generation older.

    1. Thanks Delores! Glad to hear you like the Washington so much – it has tons of potential for really different looks πŸ™‚

  7. JessicA says:

    I love Washington as a tunic. I’ve got two so far and I haven’t quite hit on the proper length for wearing with leggings, but that’s the ultimate goal.

    On my second one, I retraced the yoke and the skirt as once piece (overlapping to take out the seam allowance), so it worked up even faster than the first πŸ˜‰

    1. Nice! Yes combining the yoke and skirt will make it go even quicker – though in that case, you’ll need to always use a knit for the skirt, too (otherwise it won’t get over your hips!)

  8. LK says:

    You are so so stylish!

  9. olaf78 says:

    If flattering means you look good in something then this outfit is hella flattering!?
    And also stylish. My kingdom for a sewing machine that can sew knits!

  10. Shannon says:

    Yes! The only reason I look forward to cooler weather…leggings, tunics and boots!

  11. Love this look. I might just do the same darn thing.

  12. Camila A says:

    I LOVE tunics (or mini dresses) + leggings. Your combo looks beautiful. I’m totally stealing the idea πŸ™‚

  13. P Font says:

    Love the knit dress–but that scarf is everything! Where would one acquire that???

  14. Susana Pourxet says:

    Wow, I love Washington dress, got the pattern but I’m not keen on dresses, but that is a beautiful twist. I’ll make it!

  15. T says:

    I love the all knit washington tunic! I have been eyeing up the dress pattern for awhile now. Brava!!

  16. Jess says:

    Such a great idea! Where did you source your fabric? It’s beautiful!

    1. Ayelet says:

      It’s a jersey/terry from Gather Here, a fabric shop in the Boston area: https://gatherhereonline.com/

      They don’t seem to have this fabric in stock at the moment, but you can probably find something similar elsewhere.

      -Ayelet at Cashmerette

Let me know what you think!