Made by a Fabricista: Black, White, Gray and Boring?

My go to colors for winter--black, white, and gray...boring?

It doesn't have to be!

Even though they could be considered boring by some, consider the pattern on the fabric and the design silhouette before giving your opinion please!

With the right shape for the fabric and the right execution, black, white and gray can be somewhat exciting if not loads of fun! That 'spot' that appears to be on the fabric is really not there, that is from my camera. I do love how my top-stitching looks on the seams. I like to use a triple-stitch or a stretch-stitch for most of my top-stitching. I love how it emphasizes that part of the design.

I choose a sweater knit in black and white that is so soft, so luscious, and so wonderful to work with! I want a pair of pajamas made from this fabric, it is that wonderful on your skin!

The gray is a crepe with a wonderful texture that you expect from a crepe. I love how it looks in the jacket I made.

I used a StyleArc pattern for my jacket. It is the Allegra jacket and I just think the shape is so much fun and something totally out of the ordinary for me to sew together.

It has very deep raglan sleeves giving it a distinctive look. The crepe does a great job of showing the dramatic lines of the jacket and doesn't droop which would mask the look.

ONE PATTERN TWO LOOKS: Short jacket with pleat back and deep raglan sleeves + Knee length zip front cocoon shaped coat

For the sweater knit, I used an old favorite of mine, Simplicty 2054. This a Cynthia Rowley pattern. It works so very well in a sweater knit.

I made view B with the elbow length sleeves. I love the fit of this. It has shape without being tight and is flattering as well as comfortable. I matched those strips like a boss if I do say so myself!

For the neckband, I cut it out on the cross-grain, just to get a different look. I did however check the degree of stretch. I wanted to make sure I could get it pulled on and off over my head!

With sweater knits, I like to take a couple of precautions.

I use stay-tape at the neckline to keep it from stretching. I stitch it to the neckline with just a bit of it extending into the seam allowance. After attaching the neckband, the stay-tape is completely covered.

I also use clear elastic at the shoulder seams to stabilize the area and keep it from stretching out.

I hemmed everything on my cover-stitch machine. If you don't have a cover-stitch, a single needle or double needle works well to hem. Just like a recent post from Julie, I used SewkeysE hem tape at the sleeve and lower hems. At the sleeves I used 1/2" tape and at the lower hem I used 1" tape. This gives such a beautiful finish to your knits.

I hope you'll try sweater knits and a crepe in a shape you don't normally sew. I had a great time sewing this ensemble!

Thanks for reading!

Sue from Ilove2sew!

Made By A Fabricista: Celebrating warm weather with Spring sewing!

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For this year’s Atlanta Frocktails, I found myself captivated by a character who’s been quietly tugging at my imagination for years—the White Rabbit from Alice in Wonderland. There’s something so relatable about his frantic energy, always checking the time, always running late. While he’s worried about being on time, I’m usually calculating how late I can be and still technically arrive on time. Spoiler: I’m often wrong. It’s a cycle of procrastination and anxiety that I know all too well. So when I imagined my look for Frocktails, I thought—why not honor the White Rabbit? After all, time has been chasing me too. But this look isn’t just about Wonderland whimsy. It’s also deeply inspired by this year’s Met Gala theme, Tailored for You, which includes a focus on Black Dandyism—a celebration of Black elegance, intellect, and expressive style. I’ve been obsessed with this theme since it was announced. As a Black creative, I find it powerful and moving to see style used as a way to reclaim...

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I'm not gonna lie y'all, I had a completely different project I wanted to do, but that's gonna take more time, and I wanted something cute, comfy and fun to wear for my birthday on the 19th. When I saw this goldenrod & off white linen jacquard , I thought it looked a bit like the design on a Koroks body, especially Makar from The Legend of Zelda: Wind Waker! I started with the bodice from the free Elderberry dress pattern from Mood, but deviated for the skirt, it felt a little plain of a design, and I had scraps of a Korok fabric that I knew would be a nice accent with some cut out pockets. I've made these pockets once before, deciding the cut out was based on aligning with the seam on the bodice for how far in, and as for how low depended on where I wanted the pouch of the pocket to start. From there I cut the visible part of the pocket, making sure to match the curve of the waist and following the line of the side seams of the skirt, as well as cutting a facing to...

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