Made by a Fabricista: You're Gonna Hear Me Roar!!

Helloooo!! I'm back and I'm still sewing with knits! Recently I made it my mission to find more TNT- tried and true patterns, those that I've mastered the fit on and I can come back to again and again for easy no fuss makes. One of the patterns I chose to master was a basic knit dress. What's not to love about knits I ask?? I'm quickly becoming obsessed! Knits are so comfy to wear...soft, breathable, stretchy and easy to launder, wash-dry-no iron involved!

I picked up this fun animal print jersey knit from Fabric Mart. (Exact fabric not available yet, but check out the other knits available!) It's lightweight and super comfy. For the pattern I used Kitschy Coo's Lady Skater pattern. This pattern is very functional, dress it up for work or play it down with some sneakers for shopping. It features a fitted bodice that ends at the natural waistline and flows into an easy breezy skirt. It's flattering on any body type.

I started with a tissue fitting of the pattern on my handmade dress form, then moved to a muslin. Very quickly (because I know fitting can be a real snooze to read about) my alterations were (I cut a size 3):

1. Shortened front and back bodice 2 1/2 inches

2. Shortened upper back bodice 3 inches, this really helped my swayback problem

3. Pinned out excess on front bodice, armpit to apex

4. Shortened the sleeves 5 inches.

5. Shortened hem line 1 inch

Once my muslin confirmed a good fit I moved on to the real deal. Using my serger allowed me to make this in a little over an hour. I always breathe a little easier after the neckline band is attached. I'm so paranoid I'm either going to stretch it too much resulting in a puckered neckline or stretch it not enough for a floppy neckline. This neck band was drafted to perfection, no holding my breath necessary!

The only time I used my sewing machine was when using the twin needle to finish the neckline and hem line.

I'm really pleased and excited to have one tried and true pattern to add to my stash. I've also made this up in a red ponte knit and think this striped print would be super cute.

Because the knit is lighter weight it will be perfect for spring or summer. But that's not gonna stop me from wearing it now with boots and a cardigan!

What's your TNT knit pattern?

~Shannon

Made By A Fabricista: Closing 2025 with a Lined Jacket

Hello again, sewing friends! It seems we have arrived yet again in the grandest season for layering, all this oncoming cold weather. I like ending the year with something warm and very useful. Seems based on my past Fabricista posts, I love to sew year-end outerwear, and this round is no different! I challenged myself with a new lined coat (wait, jacket? Coat? I feel like the presence of wool changes things?). Anyhoo, since the lovely Chalk & Notch Den Jacket has been in my queue, I proceeded ahead. I like the large pockets, the option to line or not, and the extra bodice and sleeve seams for topstitching. Sewing this coat is not at all difficult, but the many pieces and loads of topstitching will take a bit of time. My version took me a few multiple-hour sessions to complete. I sewed a size 2, which matches my measurements, and I made no alterations. Hint: for a quick size test, just employ the lining pieces. Gorgeous, muted blue as a soft wool flannel ? This is ...

Made By A Fabricista: Sheer Elegance and Everyday Comfort with my Two New Tops

Hello Sewing Friends! It’s Sharon from Sharon Sews with my last Fabricista make for 2025. While many sew a special holiday outfit at year’s end, I went in another direction sewing two tops that couldn’t be more different. One is sheer and elegant while the other is easy comfort for everyday wear. These tops reflect how I dress at this stage of life. As an over-50 sewist, these two tops reflect how I dress at this point in my life. Sometimes I want something a bit special, other times more basic. Either way, sewing them in beautiful fabrics, custom fit to my body, makes all the difference in how I feel when I wear them. Even though I’m quite pleased with my two tops, my original plan was to sew a jacket with the tropical print stretch twill and pair it with a top sewn from the soutache mesh knit . Sadly, I wasn’t quick enough to get enough of the stretch twill to make a jacket, so a top it was! You do know you have to act fast when you see something you love on Fabric ...

Made By A Fabricista: Chalk and Notch Wren Dress: My Buffet dress for the Christmas season!

I recently sewed the Chalk and Notch Wren dress using a beautifully soft black voile from Fabric Mart, and it turned into such a satisfying, enjoyable project. The pattern itself is very easy to understand and straightforward with clear instructions, intuitive construction, and a relaxed fit that makes the sewing process easy. A buffet dress in the sewing community is a dress that is loose fitting, so you can eat at the buffet without your dress being uncomfortable afterwards, lol! Because the voile I chose is extremely thin and transparent, I opted to line the bodice and first tier. Adding a lining not only provided modesty but also gave the delicate fabric a bit more stability, especially around the neckline and button placket. A helpful tip when sewing a lining into a lightweight bodice is to treat the lining and the main fabric as one. I sewed the bodice as you would for a lined bodice, and the first tier I sewed the pieces together with a basting stitch to make the process...

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