Made by A Fabricista: Polyester Plaids

Spring is just around the corner, and I am still obsessed with plaids! I wanted to officially end my journey with the color combination that originally lit the fire of plaids in my life this season. The fabric used for these pants is a poly novelty weave suiting found (HERE). I actually used the wrong side of this fabric because the lines seemed more in line with my taste (grainy and broken vs the other side)

Right Side

Wrong Side

I used Simplicity 8056/S0652 to create these pants. It is part of the Amazing Fit series and had alternate back pieces for different body types. I used the curvy option. Unlike many of my other projects, I created this garment as per the manufacturer instructions with one minor adjustment, which was added 3 inches to the length. The construction took a tad bit longer vs some of my go to slopers. The level of detail is not that far off from constructing jeans. I plan on converting this into a sloper as well for future jumpsuits/rompers and pants suits. The pattern also contained some great tips on interfacing and the waistband which also has facing.

I used my inseam as the dominant stripe for these pants.

My top is a basic peplum in painted leather (originally green) and was created using Vogue 8815 with an additional breast dart.

The polyester was just light enough to wear today! I hope each and every one of you have an awesome week. Until next time......

Happy Sewing!!

- Jenese

Needles and Fashion

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: Sewing for a Florida Cold Snap with Fabric Mart Fabrics

Even here in Florida, we get the occasional cold weather surprise, and when temperatures dipped recently, I was very glad to have the perfect handmade outfit ready to go. For this month’s Fabricista make, I sewed up New Look pattern 6771, using two beautiful fabrics sent to me by Fabric Mart Fabrics. The Fabric & Pattern Choice New Look 6771 is a cozy two-piece set featuring a relaxed-fit top and pull-on pants—exactly the kind of pattern that works well for transitional weather. I chose to start with the top, using a brown animal print French terry from Fabric Mart, and it turned out to be an absolute dream to work with. The French terry was soft, substantial without being heavy, and handled beautifully at the machine . It had just the right amount of structure to highlight the pattern’s design details while still feeling comfortable and wearable. From cutting to pressing, this fabric behaved perfectly and elevated the final garment. The Top: A Total Win The top from New Look 677...

Made By A Fabricista: A Wooly Wearable Blanket.

Twirling in a me-made outfit! I live in a small town where the nearest fabric shop is a road trip away, so I almost exclusively shop for fabric online. Having access to an online shop like Fabric Mart with a solid search engine is incredibly helpful. But by far my favorite aspect of Fabric Mart is what I call the “Drape Picture” included in each listing! This picture gives me all the information I need and I find it more helpful than the exact weight per yard/square meter. Seeing how the fabric falls close or away from the body gives me a clear idea of how it will behave and inspires me to make it into something that will highlight the fabric’s nature. When I saw the drape of this “Baked Plum” wool suiting , I immediately wanted to immortalize those beautiful folds into a skirt! I opted for a simple self-drafted pleated skirt with a deep hem. I wear my dresses year-round and rely on wool skirts that I layer under or over my dresses for warmth. I cut two panels for the front ...

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