Made by a Fabricista: The 15 Minute Flannel

I'm glad to be back to Fabric Mart's blog with my new cozy flannel. Sewaholic's latest PDF pattern, the Granville Shirt, is the perfect fitted shirt pattern to make a classic flannel shirt while still looking like a girl. I used this soft plaid 100% cotton flannel from Fabric Mart. It's lightweight and dreamy to wear but it also holds it's shape like a good quality flannel should.

So...it didn't actually take me 15 minutes to make this shirt so why call it the "15 Minute Flannel", you ask? Time being what it is in my life right now, I didn't have the opportunity to set aside large blocks of sewing time so I decided to make this shirt in short, 15-20 minute sewing spurts.

A shirt like this, with lots of details, is the perfect project to break up into smaller parts. I found sewing this way made me take my time and focus on each part to be sure everything was done right.

In just 15 minutes or so I could do quite a few separate things: apply interfacing and change serger thread, add pockets and front darts, attach collar band and make collar, make sleeve plackets and sew side seams and set in sleeves.

Sewaholic's patterns are geared toward the pear shaped figure which is quite refreshing for the sewing community. I wouldn't consider myself a pear shape, so I took out some of the hip curve in the side seam. You can see here it's pretty curvy! The instructions have lots of drawings and well written step by step instructions which lend itself to sewing in small time increments.

The pattern uses mostly traditional construction techniques aside from the collar. I was tempted to use my usual collar application but I decided to stick with the instructions (I know...yay for me for following directions). The collar band and collar band facing are attached to the neckline of the shirt first (like the photo above), then the collar is attached to the band. This is the first time I've ever seen this in a collar and I had to read it a few times to get it. The collar band and facing are then stitched, right sides together from the tip just to where the collar starts. After turning the collar band right sides out, the collar is sewn to the band and slipped in. It worked great and it made topstitching a breeze.

I made three small changes to the shirt. First, I cut the pocket, sleeve cuff and back yoke on the bias, second, I made the collar band facing and cuff facing out of contrasting fabric (polka dots because what could be better?) and lastly, I used pearl snaps instead of buttons and that made it easy and fast.

This Granville pattern is a perfect wardrobe staple It makes up great in casual flannel but it would be beautiful in a floral voile or classic in crisp white broadcloth. I'm sure I'll be making it again soon.

This is likely my last winter project and now I'm off to thinking about spring sewing. What's next for all of you?

Thank you Fabric Mart!

Diane at Gatorbunnysews.

Made by a Fabricista: What's Black and Gold with Chevron All Over? This DIY Pant Suit, That's What!

Hope you're having a Golden day, get it? [I crack myself up sometimes!] This DIY pant suit is golden for sure. So tell me this, were you one of the lucky ones who were able to grab some of this fabric when Fabric Mart posted their new arrivals? I jumped on it so fast it was crazy and before you know it "poof" it was gone. So sorry I don't have any links to this fabric but all is not lost, you can use something else for these patterns. Try looking in the suiting selection for the blazer. The other awesome option is denim and as always check the New Arrivals. I went to my "tnt" blazer pattern for this project because I knew the metallic bias around the edges would look fab and I was on a mission to make another pair of mimi g's jeans and trim the seams in metallic bias as well. I recommend both of these patterns to any level sewist. I did a little pattern hack on the blazer pockets to make them a little more interesting and I made a pic...

Made By A Fabricista: The Skirt that Brought my Sewjo Back

I know it can’t just be me. My sewjo has gone away and I’ve been having such a hard time trying to get it back. I remember the days when I used to sew every single day without fail and now, not so much. I think about sewing and all the things I’d love to make, but I just haven’t found the motivation. I kind of know what the issue is. I started a new job last October and ever since I started, I’ve been sewing less and less and I don’t like it! Well, in comes Simplicity S3237. Summertime is here and it’s time to bring out all the skirts. Simplicity recently released S3237 as part of their summer patterns. This skirt is a full, gathered skirt with a bias-cut yoke with side seam pockets and an invisible back zipper. The skirt comes in 3 different lengths – mini, midi and maxi. I decided to make View B which is the midi length. I’m not much of a maxi length kind of girl and that mini was a little too small for me. I sewed up a size 22 with a few modifications. Let’s talk about th...

Made By A Fabricista: Check on It

We are getting close to the start of summer and I am coming to you with this checkered look to start the season. I had an inspiration saved of a full checkered set which I absolutely loved and said if I ever find the perfect fabric I would make it. I was so happy to see exactly what I was looking for one day when I was checking out Fabric Mart’s site. Not only did I find the exact big check but I also saw the traditional gingham shirting in a very close colorway. I thought it would be fun to work the two scales together to create a look. I’ll admit sometimes I overthink things and end up going down a deep rabbit hole trying to find a new inspiration that would work. I wanted to make something that still would reflect my personal style and could continuously rework in my wardrobe without it looking too “countrytime” or “clownish”. My other goal was to try to use a pattern that wouldn’t be too cumbersome as I am still working out of a temporary space a...

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