Made by a Fabricista: Spring Fever

I have been dreaming of Spring since the weather changed here in South Florida to the low 40s and 50s a few days this week which is cold for us. After grabbing some great Spring color pre-cut fabric right after the holidays a few weeks ago on sale at Fabric Mart, I decided that sewing for Fall/Winter must come to an end even though we have a few months left. We do not get snow here in South Florida, but this winter, we have had a few days where the temperature dropped to the low 40s and 50s. Living in Florida, our typical temperature during the month of January and February ranges from the low 50s to the high 70s which is perfect for this maxi dress.

PHOTOS were captured in bright sunlight so fabric may appear lighter in color.

Being pretty tall, more than the average size woman, (5 feet 10 inches) with a small upper body and a pear shape body type, it is very difficult to find ready to wear maxi dresses that can be worn with heels that fits just right. I wanted to hack one of my favorite summer dress pattern Simplicity 8124 and create an elastic waist maxi dress that was breezy, versatile and fun to wear.

This dress is oh so perfect for a Sunday brunch, date night on Valentine's day, or even a Happy hour event.

PHOTOS were captured in bright sunlight so fabric may appear lighter in color.

When I came across this Rayon Challis fabric (here), I knew it was perfect for a jumpsuit or maxi dress. After receiving a VOTE via Instagram to create a maxi dress instead of a jumpsuit, I decided to go with a pattern that was an easy sew for a beginner. I had two maxi dress patterns in mind, a wrap dress or off the shoulder. Being that I am not a big fan of wrap dresses, I knew that this style was definitely a win. Cyntha Rowley's Simplicity off the shoulder dress pattern (8124) has 3 main pieces for the dress or top (bodice front, back and sleeves) and any beginner could simply create a self drafted pattern piece for the skirt.

Opted to cut the XS based on my bust measurement.

I measured slightly above my chest to my natural waist for the off the shoulder top bodice and added an extra inch to the bodice length to create the casing. I also measured the width of the top to create my skirt. (SIDE NOTE - The bodice top/dress front and back pattern pieces are cut on fold so the skirt front and back pieces (rectangular) were also cut on fold). I opted not to draft the skirt on paper but to use the width measurement of the top and cut directly on the fabric. I truly had no issues and created a 1 inch elastic waist casing after attaching the skirt and the bodice. I also added my own personal touch, a small paper bag casing for both the shoulder and sleeves.

I am totally in love with the fit, length and silhouette of the light weight rayon challis fabric.

I am excited about some of the new McCalls patterns and can't wait to cut into the great pre-cut finds to create my Spring capsule that I plan to wear during my Spring Break vacation in March.

Thank you so much for stopping by and don't forget to grab a few yards of this amazing Rayon Challis before its sold out!

Photos Taken by my amazing 9 year old daughter Arielle.

Don't forget to stop by my blog as well - Overdrive After 30!

Love Marica

Made By A Fabricista: Sewing Summery ITY

Hi sewing friends! I’m dropping in to share a few makes sewn with ITY fabrics and inspire you to try out this slinky, cool-to-the-touch fabric for hot weather if you haven’t yet, or to recommend some patterns that work fabulously if you already love it. This is by far my favorite knit to wear in summer. Since it moves easily there’s lots of airflow, and it just skims the body. More often than not, it has a four-way stretch that doesn’t grow when worn, so it works great for loads of styles. ITY stands for Interlock Twist Yarn and the knit gives it some wonderful drape and stretch. There are lots of different weights and even some differing textures. Because it’s so fluid, the fabric really resists most wrinkling. I’ve sewn three different weights and prints here to show off just what ITY can do! This white floral is a lighter weight and features a slightly crepe-textured finish, and I think that combined with the large and spread-out floral makes it quite elegant and eye-cat...

Made By A Fabricista: Basics vs Fun Clothes

Every summer I make flowy, pretty dresses because they are so fun for me to make, wear, and they keep me cool as temperatures rise. But when the days get shorter and autumn rolls around, I’m not always confident on how best to transition my summery dresses into garments that will allow for the seasonal changes. In an effort to be more intentional about maximizing the use of my clothing, I thought long and hard about what I wanted to make for August. It’s been a hot summer in New Jersey. From what I can see, it’s been a hot summer across the US. Looking for clothing that will keep me cool, perhaps hide some sweat stains, and allow me to transition between seasons, I decided to make separates that would pair well with each other and allow me to mix and match with the rest of my wardrobe. For the top, I wanted a basic tank top, something I could layer later on. For the bottoms, I wanted flowy, summery pants that can last into brisker weather or become phenomenally cozy in front of my wint...

Made By A Fabricista: Effortless ITY

Clothing made from ITY (Interlock Twist Yarn) fabric is effortless, almost like wearing secret pajamas. It is silky and cool to the touch, with a beautiful drape and amazing stretch. ITY fabric is incredibly versatile, and some of the best dresses, skirts, and athletic wear I’ve owned are made from it. Thanks to Fabric Mart’s recent influx of unique ITY fabrics, I was inspired to add some additional ITY items to my wardrobe. I found two beautiful ITY fabrics on the Fabric Mart site that stopped me in my tracks. The first fabric I loved was a funky off-white and multi-color flora and fauna print from a New York Designer. I ordered two yards of this print with a top in mind. Next, I saw a beautiful ITY fabric panel featuring off-white and blue floral print. I’m usually hesitant to buy fabric panels without a plan of how to use them, but I threw caution to the wind this time. I ordered 5 panels, hoping that would give me more than enough fabric to showcase the...

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