Fabric Mart Fabricistas

Hey there and happy New Year! This new year has started off so busy, but also so good! In 2019 I didn't sew nearly as much as I usually do, and if January is any indicator to how much I'll sew in 2020, it's going to be a sewing packed year! I'm excited to share my first two sews of 2020, a pair of Ginger Jeans and another Willamette top.


The last time I sewed ginger jeans, I sewed three pairs all at once...yikes! You can read a bit about those jeans here. Then I was set...I didn't need any more skinny jeans for quite a while, actually two years exactly!!! Well, those jeans have either worn out, or don't fit me anymore, so it was time for a new pair.


In December I looked around at the Fabric Mart website and found some Japanese denim that was in stock and grabbed a couple yards. (This fabric isn't available anymore, but denim is always popping up in the Fabric Mart shop!) I also grabbed a jeans hardware kit, which is so helpful to have the zipper, button, …

Happy Saturday Loves! I hope you all had a wonderful Holiday and a great start to the New Year!  I really did NOT do any sewing as planned during the last week of 2019 and this first week of 2020.  I pretty much spent the break relaxing, sleeping and working with my Cricut machine. Honestly, I did NOT feel guilty as I sewed more than 52 items in 2019.  I could NOT believe how many items I made after I tallied up the garments.  2020 will be a slow sew year as I am focusing on more crafting and building specific sewing skills such as couture design and coat making. My first make of 2020 is "The Erica Dress," an indie pattern collaboration with Erica Bunker and Style Sew Me Patterns.    When the pattern was released, I knew it was a must make as I fell in love with the open back, the sleeves, and the side slit.  I requested this beautiful designer Boysenberry Rayon/Nylon/Lycra Ponte knit the minute it was posted on Fabric Mart.  If you know me personally, the knit I mostly sew w…

For my January post, I knew I wanted a pretty sweater in one of FM's fabulous sweater knits.  I love all the colors in this sweater knit shown below.  

As I write this, it appears this gorgeous knit is sold out.  But, there are some nice choices you can see here: Sweater Knit Fabrics
I take just a few precautions when sewing sweater knits.  Don't worry, they are easy!  
I always stabilize the back shoulder seam and back neckline.  There are many products on the market.  This is basically fusible interfacing cut in 1/2" strips. 

Test your fabric prior to putting an iron on it.  This knit withstood some nice steam and also a bit of heat which made is so easy to work with.  

If you are interested, here is the pattern I used from StyleArc.   This is the Brooklyn top.
I knew I wanted a simple pattern to show off this beautiful fabric.  This went together easily and quickly.  

Just look at the drape of that neckline! 

Now, let's talk about the pants.  I love making pants a…

I hope everyone had a Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah or joyful Kwanza or just a wonderful Wednesday. We hosted Christmas dinner and spent the day with family and friends. Thankfully my husband did the most of the cooking so I just did the decorating and cleaning! On to this outfit...


I love bright colors, especially during the dreary winter months! When I saw this bright chartreuse suiting I had a thought for a suit or a coat dress. Then I spotted this animal print blouse fabric in leopard and fell in love. The animal print fabric is a 100% Polyester Animal Print Blouse Weight Woven from a Famous Dress Designer. It is currently sold out, but it is one of Fabric Mart's re-orderable fabrics. Which means it should be restocked soon! Keep checking back. It's SKU is UZC7299r.


Although I really wanted to sew the recently released M7997, I decided to go with a suit and blouse. I selected Butterick 6523 because liked the simplicity of the blazer, it's unlined with no closures. I…