Helmi Tunic Dress and trench blouse review

I’m not a shirt wearer. I like the idea of them and love how they look on other people, but I’ve bought many shirts over the years and barely worn any of them! As a non-shirt wearer, the Helmi pattern wasn’t on my radar at all until Kate from the Fold Line featured it in her ‘Sewing plans 2019’ YouTube video. I liked the simple lines of the pattern and it sounded like a good place to start for someone with very little shirt-sewing experience. I bought the pattern from Kate herself at the Knitting and Stitching show and I’m so pleased I did!

It really is a great pattern if you have limited experience of things like collars, button stands and hidden plackets – everything is so well explained in the instructions and the design is sleek and straightforward.

I chose to use some beautiful drapey Atelier Brunette moonstone viscose for my tunic and it suits the garment perfectly. It’s lovely to sew with, but very delicate as I found out when I somehow made a hole in one of my bodice pieces and had to sew the whole thing again! Other than that slight hiccup, it was plain sailing and a thoroughly enjoyable sew that came together easily over the course of a few evenings.

I made the size 3 with no alterations, which fits me really well (I’m 5’4″ and a UK size 8/10). I love the versatility of the tunic – I’ve worn it to work with tights and boots, but also dressed it up with heels for a night out! It’s even prettier than I imagined and I will definitely be making another!