As my clothes get a little tighter these days, I thought I would post a variation to the Far Away Tunic so it can be used as a comfortable maternity tunic. I found a beautiful blue silk at my local fabric store which I thought would be perfect for work or evening. You will not need any extra material for the variation.

To adjust the pattern:

1. Cut the size from the pattern sheet according to your requirements. I went up a size to accommodate a change in my bustline.

2. Follow the pattern instructions and cut all your pieces from the fabric except the front panel piece (which we will be adjusting).
3. On the front pattern panel, draw a straight line 2″ or 5cm from the bottom of the armhole curve. This would be just above the dart on the pattern.

4. Cut the front pattern panel into two using the line as a guide. Place the top half aside.

5. You need to add extra material to the front panel. Reuse some unwanted paper and add 2-3″ (5-7cm) to the fold line and 2/8″ or 1 cm to the top (to cater for a seam when joining the front back together).

6. Using your new pattern pieces, cut the front panel pieces from you fabric.
All the pieces for the Far Away Tunic are now cut.

7. Before continuing with the pattern instructions, you will need to join the top and bottom half of the front pieces together. Align the two pieces at the centre so that there is equal excess bottom half fabric on either side. Where the darts would have gone, tuck the material (two small tucks) so that the side seams line up again. Pin in place and repeat for the other side. This should be about 3″ from the centre.

8. Stitch lengthwise with either an overlock or straight stitch enclosing the tucks as you go.

9. Continue with the Far Away Tunic pattern. Create darts in the back panel using the pattern instructions. Do not place darts in the front panel.

10. Before finishing the bottom hem on the tunic as part of the final steps. Add a 1″ band to give it more length which I also like in maternity wear. To do this, cut a strip of fabric 2″ (5cm) wide the length of the tunic bottom with an extra 2/8″ (1cm) in the width for a seam.

11. Fold this in half and with right sides facing, stitch this to the bottom of the tunic using the same method used to attach the collar.

That is all the changes you need to make for the pattern. Good Luck!