Skip to main content

Seventh Challenge: Mixing Prints

For this challenge we asked our designers to do something terrifying, mix prints!
For added fun, we asked them to style their shoots this week with a theme.
They will be judged on creativity, craftsmanship, how well the prints go together, their images, garment personality, and fit.

The winner will receive a Julie's Picks Membership. 

Julie's Picks is a Monthly Mailer that has information about trends, sewing tips, and SWATCHES! Touch and feel the fabrics selected by one of our Fabricistas, Julie. 
You will receive a packet of 30 fabric swatches that are only available to members including exclusive discounts. You also automatically become a Premium member! An email newsletter is also included in the membership. 
Also, you will receive a newsletter written by Julie. 
For more information or to become a member, visit our website.

Vote for your favorite design below! 
This challenge will determine the final three that will compete for the grand prizes.


Diane from Gatorbunny Sews




Someone very wise once said to me "Every American should collect something."  I never asked him to clarify what he meant but it made sense to me because in my heart I've always been a collector.  My collections have brought me pleasure both in the process of collecting and in the enjoyment of owning. So for all of you out there.....I'm not a fabric hoarder.

I'm a fabric collector. 
It sounds classier doesn't it?  So for this challenge I had the pleasure of "collecting" two fabric prints and making a dress to go antique collecting.  You want to be me, right?

The quaint circle, historic buildings and charming treasures of the Old Towne Orange Antique District provided inspiration for this vintage-inspired shirtdress.  I mixed a 100% rayon challis in teal, acid green and white with a 100% cotton voile in greens, blues and purple to make a midi length dress with a mandarin collar, elastic waist and 3/4 length rolled sleeves.  The yoke of the dress has pin tucks, a trio of antique buttons and delicate blue and green ribbon trim.  It's a fun and feminine dress for a day of antique shopping.  

For more pictures and info on this dress and it's inspiration please visit my blog.


Kathy from Kathy Sews




My concept: A walk in the woods during Autumn's peak season.  Fall is hands down my favorite time of year--  I absolutely love a stroll on a cool, crisp day so I'd need a jacket and a comfy dress.  I sewed up a fully lined cape jacket with a self drafted hood along with a knit dress.  I made an unexpected pattern choice matching a Aztec style design with an abstract fall-time print.  The warm autumnal colors tie them together perfectly! The cape is made from a heavy wool blend coating and lined with a dark brown poly material while the dress is a heavier weight poly/spandex knit.  I really put this outfit to the test as it was a blustery and cool 45F while I hiked through the woods on my photo shoot-- I was comfy and warm!  See more photos and about my process on my blog Kathy Sews.  


Audrey from Sew Tawdrey




Mixed prints are a fun fashion trend. This challenge, to make an outfit of mixed prints, was an excuse to delve into my fabric stash and look at the print fabrics in a whole new way. I normally store fabric by fabric content or by color schemes (for SWAP planning).  Pulling all the prints out the storage bins and throwing them on the table to look for inspired pairings created a giant colorful mess.  What fun!
Rather than mixing multiple prints in one garment, I chose to make separates that could be combined in a mixed print outfit, but that would also work with other pieces of my wardrobe. I made three garments.  The three piece outfit consists of a floral print stretch sateen pencil skirt, a fit and flare cotton top in a batik print, and a lined jacket in a black and white silk tweed . The top and skirt can be worn without the jacket, but I like the finished, dressier look it gives the outfit. I plan to wear it to the Visual Art Studio (VisArts) Patron’s Preview later this month. I have taken many fiber arts classes at the Visarts over the years, including several classes in pattern drafting and design.  My DH and I also support this organization through charitable donations.  Both our employers match our donation, which puts us in the “patron” category. Patron’s  receive invitations to art sale previews, events that attract an eclectic crowd sporting unique wearable’s and jewelry. The perfect event to attend wearing my mixed print outfit.

Shannon from Shanni Loves








Mixing prints can be tricky but when done correctly brings out so much fun and personality in an outfit.  I had a lot of fun making this dress and I absolutely love the way it turned out.  My prints of choice are a silky floral peachskin and navy blue polka dot peachskin.  I used Cynthia Rowley Simplicity 2250, a rather challenging pattern.    I hadn't a clue that the bodice alone has 11 pattern pieces containing 7 darts, 4 pleats and a fold.  When I picked these two prints this was exactly the style I envisioned in my head so I planned for a couple of long nights.  Assembling all those darts really started to mess with my mind.  I was in doubt... is this really going to look right!?   Right it does! I love what the darts did for the print of the fabric.  The bodice is fully lined and interlined and has a ruffled casing along the back bodice.  I also made a belt for it.  I'm really sad that it's already November. That means I'm not going to be able to put this dress on again until next Spring.  When I see this dress I imagine wearing it to an outside celebration decorated with lots of beautiful flowers.  I'm surrounded by lots of friends, food and good wine.  I think of the song Garden Party by Ricky Nelson.  "I went to a garden party, reminisced with my old friends,  A chance to share old memories and play our songs again"    

Please stop by my blog to see close up shots of the bodice and read all about the construction.



Voting ends on Wednesday at Midnight! 
If you have questions about voting, please visit our Fashion Challenge Page found at the top of the page.


Create your free online surveys with SurveyMonkey , the world's leading questionnaire tool.

Comments

  1. The 3 combined fabrics were so spot on! Different weaves, textures, print types! Oh my!!

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

Thanks for leaving a comment! All comments are reviewed before posting to help us eliminate spam. Your comment will be posted within 24 hours.

Popular Posts You Might Like

Made By A Fabricista: Celebrating warm weather with Spring sewing!

Hi sewing friends! I don’t know about you but boy, was winter cold and dreary this year! The weather here in the Philadelphia area has been slowly improving, but Spring sure did take her sweet old time to arrive. So by April, I was definitely in the headspace of needing to sew up things that were either bright and cheery or meant for the warmer weather I am very much craving right now. I recently purchased a few SewBexx Patterns so I took them on a test run to create some Spring makes. First on my list was to make a top using this absolutely gorgeous ITY fabric I picked up last year. I had two yards which was enough for a long sleeve shirt. I chose the Olivia top, which is oversized with a drop shoulder, has multiple lengths and a split hem. I think the pattern is intended for heavier fabrics but I was envisioning how lovely this top would look with the drape of ITY knit fabric, and it did not disappoint. It came together for me quickly and was a straight forward sew…and I love the br...

Made By A Fabricista | Chasing Time: My White Rabbit-Inspired Look for Atlanta Frocktails

For this year’s Atlanta Frocktails, I found myself captivated by a character who’s been quietly tugging at my imagination for years—the White Rabbit from Alice in Wonderland. There’s something so relatable about his frantic energy, always checking the time, always running late. While he’s worried about being on time, I’m usually calculating how late I can be and still technically arrive on time. Spoiler: I’m often wrong. It’s a cycle of procrastination and anxiety that I know all too well. So when I imagined my look for Frocktails, I thought—why not honor the White Rabbit? After all, time has been chasing me too. But this look isn’t just about Wonderland whimsy. It’s also deeply inspired by this year’s Met Gala theme, Tailored for You, which includes a focus on Black Dandyism—a celebration of Black elegance, intellect, and expressive style. I’ve been obsessed with this theme since it was announced. As a Black creative, I find it powerful and moving to see style used as a way to reclaim...

Made By A Fabricista: Getting into the Spirit of Summer

I'm not gonna lie y'all, I had a completely different project I wanted to do, but that's gonna take more time, and I wanted something cute, comfy and fun to wear for my birthday on the 19th. When I saw this goldenrod & off white linen jacquard , I thought it looked a bit like the design on a Koroks body, especially Makar from The Legend of Zelda: Wind Waker! I started with the bodice from the free Elderberry dress pattern from Mood, but deviated for the skirt, it felt a little plain of a design, and I had scraps of a Korok fabric that I knew would be a nice accent with some cut out pockets. I've made these pockets once before, deciding the cut out was based on aligning with the seam on the bodice for how far in, and as for how low depended on where I wanted the pouch of the pocket to start. From there I cut the visible part of the pocket, making sure to match the curve of the waist and following the line of the side seams of the skirt, as well as cutting a facing to...