Uniform Tunic Sew-Along

Follow along at your own pace as you sew the Uniform Tunic with our step-by-step guide! This choose-your-own-adventure pattern offers endless possibilities. We'll show you how to mix and match necklines, sleeves, skirts, and pocket options to create exactly what you want. With four example combinations provided and all design features interchangeable, you'll learn to think like a designer while building foundational garment construction skills.

Lesson 1

Selecting Your Fabrics

Discover the perfect fabric for your Uniform Tunic! We break down fabric options into three weight categories - mid-weight linens and cottons, lightweight shirtings and chambray, and ultra-lightweight voiles and gauzes. Learn which weights work best for sleeveless versus sleeved versions and when to skip the pockets.

Uniform Knit & Sew book with fabric swatches in black, white striped, gray, and rust colors for Uniform Tunic pattern.

Mid-Weight Fabrics

Mid-weight fabrics work perfectly for structured tunics and are ideal for heavier weight tops. Think linens, cottons, and blends like Robert Kaufman Essex Linen. These fabrics work best for the sleeveless version of the Uniform Tunic as they can feel restrictive with sleeves. Avoid canvas and home dec fabrics as they'll be too stiff for comfortable wear.

Light-Weight Fabrics

Light-weight fabrics are probably what most people will use for their tunics and they're easy to find! Shirtings, chambray, lightweight linen, rayon twill, ikat, handkerchief linen, double gauze, and most lawns all fall into this category. These fabrics are appropriate for all versions of the tunic. Stay away from quilting cottons though - they're much more tightly woven than garment fabrics and lack the drape and movement needed for comfortable garments.

Ultra Light-Weight Fabrics

Ultra light-weight fabrics might not be an obvious choice but offer beautiful layering options, often in gorgeous prints and patterns. Think voile, gauze, batiste, charmeuse, embroidered netting, and georgette. These create floaty, summer-perfect tunics with beautiful drape. Keep in mind: if you choose this route, you'll most likely want a version without pockets. While you can sew them with no trouble, the weight and weave make them more decorative than utilitarian.

Choose Your Fabrics

Lesson 2

Uniform Supply List

The first step to a successful project is making sure you have everything you need from start to finish. From pattern and fabric to interfacing and notions, this comprehensive list ensures you're ready before you start sewing. Being prepared makes the whole process more enjoyable.

Sewing supplies for Uniform Tunic including ham, pins, tape measure, interfacing, marking pen, thread, and scissors on green

1. Uniform Tunic Pattern

The first thing you'll need is the Uniform Tunic pattern. You can purchase it in paper or PDF in both size ranges here. The Little Uniform is no longer available as the book is now out of print

2. Main Fabric

I’m using this awesome Robert Kaufman Limerick Linen in Charcoal. If you’re on the fence about what to use for your top, check out our prior post about fabric choices.

3. All-purpose Thread

I prefer to use standard poly thread for my garments. I like poly because I pre-treat my fabrics and I know that poly won't shrink when laundered, keeping my seams nice and neat. Try to use high quality thread as it's kinder to your machine.

4. Fusible Interfacing

You'll want either a woven or tricot fusible interfacing in approximately the same weight as the fabric you're using. Avoid bonded interfacings as they lack the drape necessary to produce a professional looking garment you'll want to wear.

Gather Your Supplies

Grab the Uniform Tunic Pattern

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Lesson 3

Choosing a Size

Dress form with measurement points and Uniform Tunic size chart showing bust, waist, hip measurements and fabric requirements

Learn how to select the perfect size for your Uniform Tunic using three key measurements. We cover taking accurate bust, waist, and hip measurements, navigating the size chart, and handling falling between sizes. The bust and hip measurements are most important for this pattern's fit.

Find Your Size

Lesson 4

Common Pattern Adjustments

Need to customize your Uniform Tunic pattern? This post covers three key adjustment techniques: blending between sizes, lengthening or shortening, and full bust adjustments. Learn the proper order for making multiple adjustments and get step-by-step guidance for each technique.

Two Uniform Tunic bodice pattern pieces showing full bust adjustment with slash lines through dart and vertical spreading

Blending Between Sizes

When your measurements fall into different sizes, you can blend between them for a better fit. We show you how to gradually transition from one size to another across the pattern pieces. If you need to blend between sizes and do other adjustments, we recommend that you blend first.

Lengthening and Shortening

Adjust the length of your Uniform Tunic using the lengthen/shorten lines marked on the pattern torso. This method maintains proper proportions while customizing the fit for your body. For adjusting the lower portion of the tunic, we recommend adding or subtracting from the hem.

Full Bust Adjustments

The Uniform Tunic is drafted for a B cup in the 0-18 size range and a D cup in the 14-32 size range. If your cup size differs from your range's draft, you may need a bust adjustment. Learn to determine your adjustment amount using upper bust and full bust measurements, then follow the slash-and-spread technique to add room through the bust while maintaining proper dart placement and pocket positioning. For small bust adjustments, simply reverse the process.

Perfect Your Fit

Lesson 5

Cutting Your Fabric

Uniform Tunic View A cutting layout showing bodice front, bodice back, pocket pieces, and front neck facing with interfacing

Ready to cut your Uniform Tunic? This straightforward cutting process has manageable pieces plus interfacing. We provide detailed cutting diagrams for different view combinations and clarify which pieces you need based on your chosen neckline, sleeve, and skirt options.

Start Cutting

Lesson 6

Assembling the Bodice

Close-up of sewn French dart on Uniform Tunic bodice and completed bodice front showing both darts pressed toward hem

Time to start sewing! Learn to assemble the bodice for both views with step-by-step guidance on sewing French darts, joining shoulder and side seams, and finishing seam allowances. The construction process is the same regardless of which neckline option you chose.

Start Sewing

Lesson 7

Attaching the View A Skirt

Uniform Tunic View A construction showing bodice with pockets partially attached on left, completed bodice on hanger on right

Time to construct View A's inseam pocket skirt! This post covers attaching pocket pieces to both bodice and skirt, sewing side seams, then joining the bodice and skirt together at the waistline while securing the pockets. The edgestitching detail keeps pockets in place for a professional finish.

Create Your Pockets

Lesson 8

Attaching the View B Skirt

Uniform Tunic View B in gray linen showing bodice with skirt partially attached on left, completed bodice on hanger on right

Ready to construct View B's lapped skirt? This post covers hemming the side edges and bottom hem of both front and back skirt pieces, then attaching them to the bodice at the waistline. Optional topstitching anchors the seam allowance for a clean finish.

Attach the Skirt

Lesson 9

Binding the Sleevless Armholes

Uniform Tunic armhole construction showing clipped and understitched bias facing on left, finished armhole on right

Learn to apply bias facings to the armholes for View A's sleeveless finish! This technique works for either bodice and covers sewing the bias strips into circles, attaching to armholes, grading and clipping, understitching, and finishing with edgestitching for clean, flat results.

Finish Your Armholes

Lesson 10

Setting the Sleeves

Uniform Tunic sleeve construction showing bracelet-length sleeve being hemmed on left, completed tunic on right

Time to set sleeves for View B! This technique works with either neckline view and covers sewing underarm seams, gathering sleeve caps with basting stitches, setting sleeves into armholes, and hemming the bracelet-length sleeves for a polished finish.

Set Your Sleeves

Lesson 12

Sewing the Neckline Facings

Uniform Tunic V-neck construction showing attached and clipped facing on left, completed tunic on dress form on right

The final step! Learn to attach neckline facings for both round and V-neck views. This post covers assembling facing pieces, attaching to the neckline, grading and clipping (including the crucial V-neck clip), understitching, and edgestitching to secure. Your Uniform Tunic is now complete!

Finish Your Uniform

Extras

  • Uniform dress modification in black fabric shown on model and hanger, featuring lengthened skirt to knee-length

    Uniform Dress Pattern Hack

    Transform your Uniform Tunic into a dress with this simple modification! Learn to lengthen both the bodice (optional) and skirt to create a knee-length dress. This straightforward alteration uses the same construction as the tunic while completely changing the look and function of the garment.

    Make it a Dress 
  • Uniform shirt modifications showing Option 1 bodice-only in blue linen on left, Option 2 shortened bodice in rust on right

    Uniform Shirt Pattern Hack

    Love the Uniform but want a shorter length? Two simple modifications turn your tunic into a shirt! Option 1 leaves off the skirt entirely for a quick cropped bodice, while Option 2 shortens the bodice using the lengthen/shorten lines to create your ideal shirt length. Both options maintain versatile design features.

    Make it a Shirt 
  • Uniform tunic in rust linen on hanger showing short cuffed sleeves with 1½ inch fold-up cuff detail

    Cuffed Short Sleeves

    Add charming cuffed sleeves to your Uniform Tunic or dress! This tutorial shows how to shorten the sleeve pattern and create a 1½" fold-up cuff with detailed measurements and fold lines. The same technique works on any sleeve pattern for a similar look, adding casual style to your garment.

    Add Cuffed Sleeves 
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