Made by a Fabricista: Comfy and Cute

The fall season is definitely upon us and the winter is quickly approaching. During these chilly/cold months I love to feel comfy and warm but I still want to look casual chic. Lets face it - the comfiest outfits aren't always cute. Thankfully McCalls released M7688 just it time to provide four different "fashionable" takes on the cozy, winter staple - the sweatshirt. I will likely make all of these views but I started with View E, the drawstring tunic.

I've found the type of sweatshirt fleece that is used in retail wear is difficult to find by the yard. I've order sweatshirt fleece online before that had no stretch - a huge NO GO - for me. Locally a big box store offers a sweater fleece that I find has stretch but is very thick, to thick for practical wear in the south. I decided to give this Candy Red Sweatshirt Fleece a try as it listed 40% stretch and light/medium weight. It has a knit right side and a soft fleece wrong side. I'm very pleased with it as it sewed up easily. Unfortunately it is sold out, but keep checking because I hope they get more in.

I was drawn to View E because it seems like a great go-to outfit for chilly fall days over tights or even fleece lined leggings. It's cute enough to be seen in while running errands or when that unannounced guest stops by during the holiday season and yet still comfy enough to wear all day.

This pattern sews up quickly and the instructions are clear. The only thing that confused me was the fact that the casing for the drawstring sewn to the right side of the front. I just assumed the photo on the cover had the casing on the inside and I started to do just that but ended up following the instructions. Now that it is sewn up I don't mind it on the outside as it just draws more attention to that feature. I'm not 100% sold on the drop shoulders either.

This project sewed up so well that I decided to make a girls version. I knew McCalls 6785 would work great, because I've used this pattern before. For the casing I cut a 14" long by 2.5" wide strip of fabric and sewed a 1/4" hem on each long edge and a 1/2" hem on one short end. Then I eyeballed and pinned the strip to the dress front before sewing in the ditch along both sides and stitching down the middle. Her's is a hooded version, because she loves them.

I hope you had a great Thanksgiving!

Tiffany
TipStitched

Made By A Fabricista: Speaking My Truth

Happy Saturday All! In these unsettling times, I hug my children a little tighter, spend quality time embracing them, and cherish every moment even more. This pandemic has allowed me to appreciate deep conversations about racial injustice, police brutality, and their feelings about growing up black.
My daughter Arielle, a happy go lucky child, shuns away as she is always being questioned about her race and which box she checks off on an application. She hates the fact that she is consistently asked by her peers and teachers at school if she is biracial, Hispanic, or Black. She has often times questioned her own identity, yet she gladly responds to anyone who asks, “ I am black and I am a part of the human race”.

My son despises the news media (especially social media) and doesn't watch it at all. The death of his older brother and guns triggers a fear that we pray he overcomes. Over the past few weeks, I have read some of the most unreal remarks and comments about "all lives ma…

Made by a Fabricista: Summer Time Blues

Hello again and happy July! In April, I started sewing a work wardrobe in red and black, and I decided to expand that work wardrobe to include blue and white. I just love the combination of blue and white especially in the summer! For my work wardrobe, I want fabrics that do not wrinkle easily, can be laundered, and can mix and match with other fabrics. I ordered several coordinating fabrics- a white ponte, a blue chiffon print, a blue geometric crepe de chine, and a blue double weave suiting. Most of these are still available as I write this, but are in the 60-70% off categories, so if you like any, I would order soon!

Have you ever used a Burda Style pattern magazine? I used to always subscribe the Burda Plus magazine which is for larger sizes, but they stopped making it in English and I stopped my subscription. I missed it so much, that I took a chance and ordered it in French directly from France on burdastyle.fr. It wasn't expensive- about $15 total including the po…

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