Picture of my wearable muslin of the Pearl Shift pattern by Green Bee patterns after being worn and washed at least twenty times.The neckline facing is fraying due to my fabric choice and not using a wide enough strip of fabric to be able to turn it under and have a clean finish but it isn’t visible and it hasn’t affected the wearing of this garment which is in regular circulation. So comfortable, great right out of dryer, doesn’t need ironing and the heavy cotton flannel drapes well and doesn’t wrinkle too much when worn.It is comfortable and cute over black leggings with boots and I have several more versions planned.  I was not sure about this pattern at first because I was afraid it might be too shapeless as a dress and I wasn’t sure if the flared shape of the hem would be flattering but then I thought about making it as a tunic and wearing it over leggings so although I normally add length when I make dresses, I made this exactly as the pattern dictates cutting between the medium and large sewing lines. I added a zipper as a design feature. I don’t ever use it, I just put this on with it zipped but I was really happy with the look of the metal zipper with the yellow on the plaid.The pattern matching worked out because I made a mistake and cut the two back pieces on the fold as one piece by mistake and then cut it apart. This turned out to work in my favor for matching the plaids!I used some of the blue grey woven cotton fabric that I used for one of my Bianca dresses to face the hem, sleeves and neckline. I made the dress very quickly so it is not super neat on the inside. I liked the look of having the neckline topstitched about an inch down from the neckline.When I make it again I will use French seams for a neater effect and less fraying. The fabric is a thick cotton flannel bought on sale at Joanne’s which is where I bought the zippers. I have definitely gotten my money’s worth from this dress and this pattern. It even made it into our Christmas card!I went back to Joanne’s and bought several more yards of this fabric in different designs with plans to make more versions for myself and my daughter. I need about 2 1/2 yards to make the dress/tunic but found 2 yards of a second plaid I really liked so I pieced the sleeves. I don’t think it will be super noticeable.

This tweedy looking fabric is also a heavy cotton flannel.

I plan to use this plaid for the facings on the blue tweed Pearl:Future Pearl Shifts:These are high on my to-do list for this winter. Great pattern! Easy but with a nice shape. I definitely recommend it.

I have made two sleeveless Beatrix blouses and one with three quarter sleeves, all blogged here. More recently, I made a pair of short sleeved blouses using beautiful Cotton and Steel fabric. They are great worn with corduroys. I made a size M and added two inches to the length and made a small hollow chest adjustment by folding the pattern when I cut out the front.

I wear them all the time. Great on their own or layered under a sweater.

Seriously, anything made with this fabric would be great but it was perfect for a Beatrix blouse. 

As I like to make two of a pattern at a time, I also made a version in the mustard mustang fabric that has found its way in to many of my makes. I just love the horses galloping across the back.

Then around Thanksgiving, I had just made the Pearl Shift dress by Green Bee patterns which I will blog about later this week and I got the idea to lengthen the Beatrix to tunic length. I used the Pearl pattern pieces to determine the length and I graded the Beatrix piece out to the width of the Pearl and then redrew the curved hem line in a slightly wider version. This shows my process. This is my second Beatrix tunic which is currently in the pipeline.

I fold the pattern just a bit at the neckline which works great for the hollow chest adjustment.

I made my first Beatrix Tunic with beautiful aqua Mochi fabric from Cotton and Steel and used the same fabric for the facings as I did for the button placket: Ghost Saltines by Cotton and Steel.

Close up of sleeve.

I loved this border pattern so I pieced the sleeves in order to make the most of it.I found flower buttons at Joanne’s that echoed the shape of the flowers in the pattern.

Hamming it up for my husband the photographer. I don’t usually ask him to take pictures but I was so excited about this make! It is great over leggings with boots. I was really happy with the final shape.

Making this was no more work than making the Beatrix blouse. I love them both but I like that this version gives a little more coverage so I can wear it with leggings. I love the blouse version with skirts and slacks but the tunic version can also be worn with leggings since it covers just enough. I expect there to be many more versions of both the Beatrix blouse and the tunic in my future. I am excited to make a new tunic version in this green cookie drop fabric. I plan to use this great pink fabric for the facings and the inside of the button placket. I plan to try to sew the button placket with facings as one would a hem. I like having just a bit of wacky fabric peek out of my garments. To be continued!