Fabric Mart Fabricistas

HI Fashionistas! Hope you are doing well and enjoying the cooler temps. I've really been enjoying my fall sewing. I recently wrapped up this black cape with arm slits. I had purchased something similar last month and while I loved the style, I did not love the fabric. The fabric was itchy and "synthetic-y" if you know what I mean. I simply love capes. So I decided to recreate the look in a nicer fabric. I chose this  wool/cotton blend . It's made of 100% natural fibers and is way more lux than the original one I wore  here . My cape is collarless and simple, this will allow me to wear it just the way it is, or accessorize with different collars/ neck warmers to maximize its use in my wardrobe.  I added vintage gold buttons as you can see in the pic above. I knew I wanted some gold hardware on it but decided to keep it fairly simple. These are shank buttons I recently found at an estate sale. Sewing quick tip: To stabilize a shank button and keep...

Now that the weather is finally starting to cool, my need to get glammed up is diminishing.  At the same time, I realized I didn't have too many options in my wardrobe for the days I just want to put on some sneakers and still maintain my own personal style.  I mean, my gym clothes are pretty dope, but they are just that, gym clothes.  Somehow, I missed having more than a couple options for my"kick back" days.   The fabric I used is a heather gray 100% wool chunky sweater knit from Fabric Mart. The fabric is no longer available, but is very similar to this choice ( HERE ).  The only difference is the fabric in the link is a lighter knit in weight.   The pattern I used for the sweat pants is oddly Vogue 1411 .  I have made these pants in every variation OTHER than what it was designed for.  Both previous pairs I made were with Goat and Lamb skin leather.  I cut my normal size before thoroughly pressing the fabric to loosen the wea...

Like many sewing addicts, I am often on the hunt for new patterns to try. I had seen lots of reference to Ottobre magazine but felt a bit intimidated by a new foreign mag. But then I reasoned that I got the hang of Burda and therefore, I can get through anything! The moment I saw the preview for the Autumn/Winter issue (05/2016), I went right to the site and signed up for a subscription -- seriously, I want to sew about 75% of this one! They put out two issues a year; a Spring/Summer issue sometime in February and the Autumn/Winter issue in August. Having read several reviews for the patterns I chose my size using their size chart. It is in metric but I am quite comfortable with that - I know my 3 key measurements in both Metric and Imperial off the top of my head. But also, as a scientist, I have so many conversions memorized. I'll spare you the rant about the US still being Imperial! :) I used a size 44 for the neckline and shoulders, grading out to a 46 for the rest. Th...

I have had a fear of sewing with mesh for years...literally!  I finally overcame it and tried a few projects and decided it's fun...just take a few precautions and you'll be fine.                       Trust me!                        My original project I had planned was a total wadder which was too bad!  I really liked the fabric but despite making a muslin, it fit so weirdly and was very, very unflattering.  I can't even show it to you!   Luckily I hadn't taken the time to blog about this top I am wearing--whew!   Can you see how cool this fabric is?  It's comfortable on your skin too!   This top is made in a 'cocoon' shape which is sort of funky but I like it!   However, you must choose the right fabric.  This is a StyleArc pattern and here is a picture from the site:  ...

Have you noticed that just when you think you've tried it all, someone invents a new fabric?  That's one thing that I absolutely love about sewing- there is always something new to try.  Scuba knits have been around for a couple of years, but they hadn't made it into my sewing room yet.  But, as I have seen them more and more in ready to wear, I decided that they were worth a look! I ordered two different types of scuba for this experiment- one with a sueded finish and one with a smooth finish.  Then I compared them both to an ITY knit.  Both of the scuba knits were considerably loftier than the ITY.  You can see here in this photo- the thickness of the same size piece of the solid brown ITY knit is much less.  The sueded scuba is the loftiest- it's thick but not heavy at all. The printed scuba is extremely lightweight- even lighter than the ITY knit next to it. One of the things that attracted me to scuba was that I've heard that they do...

And the winner of the Fabricista Fashion Challenge 4 is.... Tee from Maggie Elaine! Great job on your final look and with all the other challenges!   We will be seeing more of Tee on the blog in November, so keep following the blog as she joins our group of other talented seamstresses, The Fabric Mart Fabricistas! Great job to the other two ladies that made it to the last round of the challenge. They both did a fantastic job and also won some great prizes. LaTonya got second place with her look inspired by Roland Mouret. She has won a $100 gift certificate to Fabric Mart and a 2017 Julie's Picks membership. Elizabeth got 3rd place with her looks inspired by Balmain and Miu Miu. She has won a $50 gift cerficiate to Fabric Mart and a 2017 Julie's Picks membership.  Reader Participation! We had two participants in this week's challenge! After a random drawing.... Congratulations to RoseKyKy on Instagram! You have won a free 2017 Julie...