Made By A Fabricista: Jacquard "Cynthia Rowley" Red Romper [1 Hour Sewing Project]

[The Romper was made for and modeled by my daughter Mori]

I picked out this cool textured Red Jacquard fabric in the hopes of making a suit.....well you know how it goes, I let time get by me and now I needed to make something else, quick fast and in a hurry. So I looked through my latest pattern purchase and found this dress that I had on my to-do list. Cynthia Rowley Simplicity 8124 Pattern. Now the problem was this fabric, I was a little concerned as to how it would lay, it's a little more structured than I think is needed for this pattern, still I pushed forward. I decided to make the romper this time around.

Let me take a minute and say honestly this is the easiest romper I have ever made. It can actually be done in under an hour, seriously. If you were ever interested in teaching someone to sew and you need a project, this would be it! Have you tried this pattern?? Tag me on Instagram if you have @thatblackchic

I love how this fabric works for the bottom but I ain't crazy about the top. I loved working with this fabric and it takes an ironing really well. [Did you check out the crease on those shorts??? I went old school on those bad boys, that crease ain't coming out.] I think you need a shirting/cotton fabric to get the correct gathered look for the elastic around the shoulders and the wrist. I still have enough of this fabulous fabric to make a pair of wide leg trousers, so all is not loss plus and this is still a super cute date-night romper.

I just bought Oxford Striped Denim Blue & White Shirting and Light Blue Oxford Cotton for the dress. I also think this Green and White Gingham Seersucker would be cute.

........Hold the presses just in! I could not get this collar out of my head. I thought about the elastic I used and then I realized I probably could get the look I wanted with a heavier elastic. So off to the store I went to pick up this elastic and I didn't realize there were so many different types elastics in the world! I was able to get what I needed and fix the collar before this post went live. I used the non-roll elastic for woven fabrics on the right. Now this is the look I wanted. I win, Ha!!

Michelle @ That Black Chic

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Made By A Fabricista: The Sheer Volume Of It All!

This garment was inspired by a dress I saw in an ad, and when I went to purchase it (which I rarely do)…I realized that the dress didn’t come in my size. Ticked off and with $300 back in my pocket, I decided to draft it myself. The description listed the fabrication as a silk cotton voile, so I used that as a starting point to recreate the simple yet elegant silhouette. My drafting experience is limited; I’ve only ever made garments that are pleated rectangles that fit into an elasticated waist. No darts, no complicated calculations, and definitely no sleeves. But I’d have that dress if it’s the last thing I do! I made a drawing, created a Pinterest board to document my inspiration, and narrowed down the features I really wanted to have: billowy bubble-hemmed bishop sleeves (say it three times fast!), a fitted and lined bodice, and a gathered tiered skirt. Finally, it was time to shop for fabric. I knew I wanted a silk blend of some kind, without breaking the bank. For weeks, I ke...

Made By A Fabricista: Just Wear It Out!

Originally I wasn’t happy with my make this time around. I put it on fresh off the sewing machine and didn’t love how it fit. My elastic was slightly too narrow for what the pattern called for. I did end up putting a stitch to close up the v-neck on the top. I thought my sewing on the waistband looked sloppy and I looked kind of frumpy in the outfit. I was going to put the project down to fix later but decided to wear it out for some feedback from our web manager and one of the describers. I ended up pleasantly surprised! The fabric is super comfortable and I felt really good wearing it. All the things I didn’t like kind of melted away wearing it out. The flaws were so small that only I noticed them. I think it’s important to remember that while striving for perfect seams and flawless construction is good, a handmade garment doesn’t have to be perfect to be wearable. This isn’t the first time I’ve softened on a garment after wearing, and it certainly won’t be the last! The 100% c...

Made By A Fabricista: In Love with Linen

Linen is the best fabric to sew and wear. I selected a beautiful 100% linen from Fabric Mart that is a steel blue and cream floral linen to sew up a By Hand London Hannah Wrap Dress pattern. The flowers look like Dahlias. I originally sewed a Toile from a black and white cotton bedsheet, wore the dress a lot but never made it again. I gave the Toile away to a friend who always commented on how much she loved the dress. When I saw this fabric, I knew I wanted to make the Hannah again. Linen is so easy to sew the entire experience reminded me why linen remains one of my favorite fabrics to sew. I look for a light to medium weight European linen for a dress. I like a rayon or cotton blend with linen because it seems to have more drape and be more soft. Linen gets softer with washing and wearing it. This particular linen feels crisp and after ironing and washing, softens up. I like how Fabric Mart describes the fabrics as top, dress, blouse, shirt weight under “Use” and will describe...

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