40K Sway Tunic in Tie Dye Sweater Knit

I usually don’t love tie dye. For me, it ranks somewhere alongside florals. Finding florals and tie dyes I just have to have is a rare ocurrance, but once in a while I’ll be drawn to them, like this sweater knit on my second 40K Sway Tunic. I honestly wouldn’t qualify this as tie dye, though. It definitely isn’t what I picture when thinking about tie dye, which is probably why I was drawn to it.

About the Fabric

Coral/Ink Tie Dye Oakley Brushed Sweater Knit from So Sew English Fabrics

• polyester/spandex
• ~75% horizontal stretch
• ~25% vertical stretch
• lightweight
• very easy to sew

What is Oakley? 

Oakley is a poly spandex sweater knit with a close, tight weave.  With a soft velvet-like face and smooth reverse, Oakley is a dream to sew as well as wear. You’ll also find that prints and colors on Oakley are extra beautiful and crisp. It’s tight weave makes it suitable for not only sweaters and cardigans, but also items such as pants, joggers, and dresses. It has a excellent drape, and is perfect for year-round wear.

—So Sew English blog

Black Double Brushed Poly from Surge Fabric Shop

• 96% polyester/4% spandex
• 75% horizontal stretch
• 50% vertical
• lightweight (180gsm)

About This Make

• I used the same pattern I mashed together from my first 40K Tunic. It uses the top of the 40K Sway Top (George and Ginger) and the bottom of the Nyoka Dress (Sinclair) which I had shortened and flared for my Nyokas.
• I sewed the neckline on this version at 3/8″ seam allowance because DBP is floppy and can look overstretched on necklines. Increasing the seam allowance made the neckband a little narrower and helps it lay nice and flat.
• I colorblocked various pieces to create some visual interest of the tunic wrapping around the body. The neckband, right shoulder piece, back, and cuffs were cut from black DBP.
• My yard of black DBP wasn’t quite large enough to accommodate the full back piece in a single cut, so I folded the pattern piece straight across at the bust line and cut the top and bottom “halves” separately, adding 1/4″ to each for a seam allowance. Then I simply sewed the two pieces together to make the full back piece.
• I didn’t intentionally place the placket on one side vs. the other. My first 40K Tunic ended up with the placket over my left shoulder, and this one ended up over my right. I kind of love the variation of that, and I got away with it because the DBP has no defined face/back. For fabric with an obvious face/back, one needs to pay attention to how the front piece and the shoulder piece are cut to make sure they’re oriented properly.

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