Made By A Fabricistas: Summer Staples

Hi Fashionistas!

Summer is in full effect and we have had some really hot days.

I sewed up a couple quick summer tops. I wanted something basic but cute, to wear with shorts, skirts, or jeans. So I decided on two summer tops. The first one is in a gray jersey knit. This fabric is so soft and comfortable. I ordered one yard and that was enough and I have a little bit leftover fabric.

This is seriously the most comfortable thing in my wardrobe right now.

I self-drafted this top. The drafting took about 30 minutes. The sleeves are dolman, which means there is no setting in the sleeve, which also makes the sewing very quick.

Also, I love the clean cover stitch on here. I used my Brother Coverstitch machine, which I absolutely love and have been using for over two years

I drafted cuffs for the sleeves and a band for the waist.

Here is the back view. I made the neckline on the front and back exactly the same, and gave it a boat neck shape, which is one of my favorite.

Now moving on to the next top, I also made a white top in a white french terry. This was my 1st time working with a french terry. It is also very soft and is a stable knit. It is thicker, more like a double knit.

Since this fabric had more structure, I decided to play with the sleeves a bit, and create some pleats/gathers. I call them pleats/ gathers because although they are technically pleats facing up, they look more like gathers because the fabric is a knit. This same pattern manipulation on a woven would look very structured, like pleats.

I chose the McCalls M6886 pattern and changed up the sleeves and the hem, and also turned the dress into a top. I do this often.

I did a curved hem.

On the sleeves and neck, I once again used my Brother Coverstitch machine, which I highly recommend.

I hope you enjoyed reading about my latest makes. Next I am working on creating a custom dressform cover for myself. A custom dressform is something I have wanted for a very long time. I'll be sewing up my custom shell using this online class on Craftsy, but instead of using a commercial pattern, I plan on creating my shell from my custom sloper, which can be drafted using this Bodice Sloper Class

So lots of sewing and fitting for me in the near future, but a custom dressform has been a life long dream :) I'll share my progress with you once that is done.

See you in July!

XOXO

Vatsla from Fashion Behind The Seams

Made by a Fabricista: My Fall Ensemble

Hi everyone. I am back and so eager to show you what I sewed for the transition to fall. Our social calendar for the next three months is filling up so it is time to sew for fall. Where I live, fall weather can vary from 60 to 80 degrees. Linen is my “go to” fabric, especially for September and October. Fabric Mart happened to have on sale the mid-weight navy /light blue linen with abstract geometric print. Due to the hugely discounted price, I could sew a fall ensemble that would consist of a duster, a pair of pants, and a sheath dress for about $50.00. Vogue V1756 pattern by Sandra Betzina caught my attention. It had a standup collar, buttoned front, and set-in sleeves, but its side front pockets hide behind a flange on each side front and the lower back had a gathered skirt. How unique! The pattern instructions, written by the designer herself, were easy to follow. I sewed the duster in Size C and made no adjustments. Because of its style, color and maxi length, it can take m

Made by a Fabricista: Luxe Knits for A Classy and Yet Cozy Fall Wardrobe

Hello Fellow Sewists! I’m excited to share my latest Fabricista make with you all, as I have started my transition in to sewing for Fall! Now don’t get me wrong-I am by no means wishing summer away! Summer is my favorite time of year here in Minnesota. But Fall is my second favorite. And I have done a ton of summer sewing. So I wanted to get a jump start on building a cozy, yet classy Fall wardrobe that will suit me perfectly as I’m at home more but still need to be put together for zoom meetings and running errands. I chose two gorgeous sweater knit fabrics to work with for these outfits. I knew I wanted a great basic black knit fabric. And then I fell in love with the floral knit fabric as soon as I saw it! So I am excited that I got to work with both. My original intention was to make a mix and match wardrobe but as I thought about it, I hardly ever actually mix and match things! So instead, I decided to use one of my favorite wrap dress patterns, Butterick 5454. I have made

Made by a Fabricista: The Perfect Statement Fabric

I’m 100% one of those people that select fabric solely based how I’m feeling in that moment. I never have a project in mind or a look I want to make. Once the fabric arrives and I get to touch it, within a few days the ideas start to come. The only downside to this is a fabric stash that looks a bit like a retail store. When this double-faced satin suiting arrived, I initially considered a pant suit but thought this fabric was a little too special and at the last minute opted for something more dramatic despite having no place to where it. I figured If nothing else, I can wear the skirt with a t-shirt for school drop-off lol. The top was made using a drafted bustier pattern with lots of boning and interfacing. Definitely time consuming but well worth it. I enjoy a nice dramatic sleeve and interfacing gave the sleeve enough structure to accomplish just that. The skirt was made using vintage McCalls 9260. I have drawers and drawers filled with vintage patterns. The beauty of vint

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