I am enjoying wearing my Poppy shirts, made using this Tina Givens pattern.
The Poppy is not your average shirt, but really a tunic, with no collar or cuffs, no buttons and cut on sleeves. In other words, quick and easy to make, ideal for lazy sewists like me. I can have a new one ready in less time than it would take me to go to the shops and buy something. To say nothing of the price.
I have made two versions of the Poppy so far, but only the one below with the front split as high as intended by the pattern. This version is best worn with another tunic underneath.
I used a sheeting cotton which drapes quite well and is easy to wear as it doesn’t wrinkle much. Not an outfit for high summer because of the 3/4 sleeves and several layers, but good for in between seasons.
The second version below has a modified split that doesn’t come up nearly as high and can be worn over just my usual cotton tank top. The fabric is cotton sateen, a little thicker than the sheeting. I added a stand up collar this time.
An ikat fabric or something ethnic would look good with this pattern, but I’m not sure if I would like the Poppy in a plain fabric. I think it would have to be something really special to look good, something understatedly expensive. I don’t have anything to hand right now that would fit this bill, but I will make this pattern up a couple more times when I find fabric right for it, either patterned or plain, because I really like wearing these shirts.
BTW, both fabrics I used for my existing versions were over-dyed. The grey started life as an insipid light blue. I bought it online and was very disappointed when it arrived, as what I thought was a jacquard turned out to be only a cheap and nasty print. My fault for assuming! It looks much nicer after a bath in Drimarene K black (Procion would have been fine too).
The green was bought in person, so to speak, during a period in my sewing life where only black and white would do. Once the infatuation passed I was left with a lot of B/W fabric I no longer fancied. Fortunately, courtesy of a mix of blue, black and yellow Drimarene K, the white was easily over-dyed and I am much happier with the green. 🙂
The Insouciant Stitcher 
RIvergum, i have missed your wonderful garments for quite some time. Maybe I just overlooked them. Anyway, your new tunics by TG look really smart on you, as always. I especially like the green one for me for I might look like I was outgrowing the top with my big hips. Anyway, you are glorious with your shiny hair and smart clothes. Wonderful to see ypur posts recently. karendee
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Hi Rivergum. I was wondering what size you used as the basis for your garment? I find Tina Givens patterns on the large side.
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Hi Karen, I used a medium and narrowed the batwing part of the sleeves a bit to make the fit less sloppy across the shoulders and bust, also added volume at the hem. I should do a review on PR with all the details as soon as I have time. I changed the neckline too.
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I love the style of this tunic as it could be both smart and causal at the same time. I could see it made up in a floaty soft fabric for the summer worn over an Indian print skirt. Thank you for the inspiration.
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You’re right, a nice gauze would look good, with an Indian print even better. I have some wooden block stamps, must have a go one of these days.
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Sorry Rivergum – I accidentally pressed send by mistake….. didn’t want to seem rude so this is an addendum. I am a huge fan of your garment concepts and always await your latest posts with enjoyment. Regards, Helga Trist (Sydney).
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No problem! Thanks for your kind comment.
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I have missed your makes as they are always inspirational. These tunics look wonderful on you.
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I luv your work with Tina Givens patterns. I’ve taken the liberty of pinning some of your work to my “Tina Givens Makes” board and have just turned it into a community board. I’d like to invite you to post whatever TG pieces you’ve made on it. I think it would be great to see all the TG makes people have done in one place. I think I need your email to officially invite you. If you’d like to be involve, please email me. here’s
if you’d like to look at it first. Thanks, pao.
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Not a problem, I’m flattered of course. What a neat idea to have the garments people make from TG patterns all in one place. I will send you my email.
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Have you ever had an issue fitting the sleeves on her patterns? I am in the middle of making the Phoebe top and the shirt sleeve opening is too big for the sleeve. This is the second pattern I’ve had this issue on and can get no reply from the company
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Hi Melinda, unfortunately I have only used Tina Givens patterns with cut on sleeves or sleeveless. But you can take in the side seams of the garment to make the armscyes smaller, so the sleeve will fit. Use a tape measure to measure the armscye and the sleeve cap, then adjust accordingly.
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I know I am replying to a year-old post, but I had the same issue with Phoebe–the armscye was a mess–too wide and not deep enough, and I also wasn’t wild about the neckline. After it was done, I ended up deepening it much like you would lower a crotch seam in pants, but I still pitched it after a couple of wearings. I also had a sleeve problem with the Etra dress. I have thin arms, but the sleeve was so tight (especially considering that linen was recommended) that even after I broke out the serger and took the seam allowance down to 1/4″, it was still uncomfortably snug if you think you’d ever like to bend your elbow. Bottom line: I think Tina Givens is a better conceptual designer than pattern drafter, and if I ever make another pattern of hers that is fitted at any point, I’ll be making a muslin first.
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I would agree that TG is about design concepts and not about drafting, but that is easily fixed. Use a bodice (and sleeve) pattern that you know fits and merge it with the TG pattern lower down. Once i started doing that I had no more problems.
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