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: 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 ...

Made By A Fabricista: Which comes first – the fabric or the pattern?

Ah, the age old question garment sewers are often asked – do you choose the pattern first and then look for fabric, or do you buy fabric and then later decide what it will be when it grows up? If you are a sewist with a large fabric stash (like myself), then perhaps you are on Team Fabric. I would say I definitely lean that way, but there are also times when I land somewhere in the middle – I see a fabric and I think, I’ve just seen a pattern and these two would be perfect together! And that’s how gorgeous dusty rose stretch velvet and a recently released cardigan pattern came together to create the newest addition to my wardrobe. And had me improvising a few things along the way. First. I have to admit - I have a stretch velvet problem. I see it pop up on the website and I almost always grab it, especially if I see a sale. It’s not the easiest fabric to sew (it’s slippery as heck!), but I love it so much and I especially love using it in non-traditional ways. In my last blog post, I...

Made By A Fabricista: Simplicity 8847

Hi everyone, this is Byrd with my latest Fabricista make! Is it too early to start thinking about Valentine’s Day? Because this fabric is giving all the heart vibes. With rich red hearts scattered across a dark base, it feels festive without being over-the-top—and completely wearable well beyond February. This time around, the fabric completely stole the show. I used a Dark Navy/Crimson/White Polyester/Lycra Hearts Print Brushed Sweater Knit by a NY Designer , and it was love at first sight. Even though it’s labeled navy, in person it reads more like a deep black base with these beautiful red hearts throughout. When you zoom in, you’ll also spot the designer’s name and a tiny smiley face woven into the print - such a fun, unexpected detail. This fabric immediately spoke my name when I saw it online, and it absolutely lived up to the hype. Before sewing, let’s talk fabric care and prep - because it matters. This sweater knit is wash and dry friendly, which makes it practical for e...

Fabric Mart Fabricistas

Search This Blog