Made by a Fabricista: Summer Fun

Even though Memorial Day symbolizes the start of Summer for many, this past Thursday (6.21) marked the official first day of summer. What better excuse than the first day of summer to make a swimsuit? Truthfully I wanted to sew a swimsuit for my May post since it fell on Memorial weekend but I was distracted with the beautiful chambray that I used for a jumpsuit.

Since sewing just a swimsuit seemed a little "meh", I decided to add a cover-up for a whole "day at the pool or beach" vibe. This bright, floral chiffon screamed summer so I grabbed it. Sewing with chiffon can be frustrating so I chose Simplicity 8657 to limit the amount of seams. The only tip I have for sewing with chiffon is to use a rotary cutter and be patient. This print is still in stock, but some other prints that would work well is this similar spring green floral, this more abstract navy floral or this fun rainbow stripe.

This caftan pattern is definitely a simple sew but as a part of Simplicity's pattern hacking line it offers several modifications. I wanted more of a lightweight duster than a true caftan to show off the swimsuit so I made the following modifications:

Created an open front by not sewing the front center seam
Raised the V-back to a scoop back and finished with single fold bias tape
Raised the side slits

The only thing I don't care for is the lack of closure. I thought I wanted an open flowy look, but I would like it to stay closed so I will either add a snap or ties to the the front. Overall I like the pattern I definitely see myself making it out of a challis for the caftan look.

When I can't make up my mind about which fabric to use or which pattern to sew I often take a poll on my Intsagram story, so if you'd like to give your 2 cents next time follow me there (TipStitched). So I asked Instagram to choose Vogue 9192 or Simplicity 1116 (OOP) and S1116 took the early lead. In the end the Vogue pattern won 57% to 43% but I'd already started by then. Ooops.

This bright cover-up called for standout color swimsuit. This chartreuse swimwear knit is just that. This fabric is a good weight which is great for coverage but was a bit thick at the gathered sides (where I was sewing three layers of swim knit and a layer of mesh), but my machine handled it just fine (I did go slowly). The gathers at waist paired with wrap front of S1116 is a very flattering silhouette.

I love Mimi's patterns for Simplicity because she provides sew along video for each one. So if you've thought or dreamed about sewing a swimsuit, but have been a little intimidated, this is a great pattern for a first attempt as she walks you through each step. I did watch the video before I began sewing so I barely looked at the printed instructions.

Here are some types for sewing swimwear:

Use a stretch (not knit/ballpoint) needle
Use a long, narrow zigzag stitch or a serger for constrution
Use a wider, shorter zigzag stitch to attach the elastic to hems and for any openings
Stretch the leg elastic more in the back of the leg opening (to cup your bottom) and less in the front

Enjoy your summer!

Tiffany

TipStitched

Made By A Fabricista: Falling for Knits

We are now well into Fall, even though the temps are still relatively warm here in Texas. I love the fall season and dressing for Fall. When it comes to the conversation of knits vs. wovens I typically sew mostly wovens. So for this post I decided to sew completely knits! With the holiday season right around the corner I saw these three dress styles as perfect for Friendsgiving/Thanksgiving gatherings. The first look is a tried and true pattern Simplicity S9372. Using this gorgeous burgundy ponte knit , I like how this pattern fits throughout. I chose this color to add to my typically neutral palette in my closet. I also wanted something I could wear to my sorority meetings and found this color perfect. It's an easy sew with back fisheye darts and invisible zipper to add to the tapered style. The neckline and armholes are finished with bias binding giving it a clean finish on the inside. I used a universal needle to sew a...

Made By A Fabricista: Closing 2025 with a Lined Jacket

Hello again, sewing friends! It seems we have arrived yet again in the grandest season for layering, all this oncoming cold weather. I like ending the year with something warm and very useful. Seems based on my past Fabricista posts, I love to sew year-end outerwear, and this round is no different! I challenged myself with a new lined coat (wait, jacket? Coat? I feel like the presence of wool changes things?). Anyhoo, since the lovely Chalk & Notch Den Jacket has been in my queue, I proceeded ahead. I like the large pockets, the option to line or not, and the extra bodice and sleeve seams for topstitching. Sewing this coat is not at all difficult, but the many pieces and loads of topstitching will take a bit of time. My version took me a few multiple-hour sessions to complete. I sewed a size 2, which matches my measurements, and I made no alterations. Hint: for a quick size test, just employ the lining pieces. Gorgeous, muted blue as a soft wool flannel ? This is ...

Made By A Fabricista: Chalk and Notch Wren Dress: My Buffet dress for the Christmas season!

I recently sewed the Chalk and Notch Wren dress using a beautifully soft black voile from Fabric Mart, and it turned into such a satisfying, enjoyable project. The pattern itself is very easy to understand and straightforward with clear instructions, intuitive construction, and a relaxed fit that makes the sewing process easy. A buffet dress in the sewing community is a dress that is loose fitting, so you can eat at the buffet without your dress being uncomfortable afterwards, lol! Because the voile I chose is extremely thin and transparent, I opted to line the bodice and first tier. Adding a lining not only provided modesty but also gave the delicate fabric a bit more stability, especially around the neckline and button placket. A helpful tip when sewing a lining into a lightweight bodice is to treat the lining and the main fabric as one. I sewed the bodice as you would for a lined bodice, and the first tier I sewed the pieces together with a basting stitch to make the process...

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