Made by a Fabricista: Winter Casual Comfort

Every winter I search for pieces that are warm but can transition seamlessly into spring.  I love a great button down and find that I wear them in all seasons, in the warmer months I just roll the sleeves up.  The Closet Case Files Kalle shirt is perfect for our mild Georgia winters and will fit beautifully into my spring wardrobe.

I've always wanted to try the Kalle and knew that pairing it with this fun color speckled chambray would make it a true workhorse in my wardrobe.  I have had fun pairing this top with different pants in my closet and the neutral chambray goes with every color of pants I own.  I'm especially partial to pairing it with the leggings pictured here and a red pair of ponte Simplicity 8748.  

The chambray was great to work with- I love a good stable woven and find them such a pleasure to sew.  I also love the small flecks of color in the weave of this fabric, however it was a challenge to figure out which was the right and wrong side of the fabric.  Since it was only really discernible to me I only spent a small amount of time obsessing over which side was which!  

The buttons were from my stash and are clear with yellow, red and green coloring painted on the back, perfect!  And since I ran low on them I used two small green buttons on the sleeve plackets.
I used Palmer/Pletsch Perfect Fuse sheer anywhere that interfacing was called for and at this point in my sewing journey won't use anything but this fusible for projects that I hope will go through many many wears.  Its always fused perfectly, stays fused and adds just the perfect amount of stability. 

 As much as I love a workhorse piece in my wardrobe, I also love something a little frivolous and colorful, that's where these floral tights fit in!  Now I am positive these tights put me squarely into suburban Mom territory, but I have to admit that they are so comfortable that once they're on my legs I don't care what kind of fashion statement they do or don't make!  They are a double brushed poly and people, this stuff feels sooo good.  Double brushed poly is perfect for fantastic leggings, I now have two pair and they feel like soft clouds on my legs.  Ultimate winter comfort!

The colors on this fabric are so vibrant.  You just can't get the total effect in these pictures.  When I first saw the fabric in person I just smiled a huge smile and petted it for some time.  Only other sewy-fabricy people understand the thrill of receiving a fabric order in the mail and the elation of discovering the fabric is even more beautiful in person than you thought it would be, the small joys in sewing life! 

I plan on making a Grainline Driftless cardigan from the remainder of this lovely fabric. Then I'll have the hard decision of deciding whether or not its permissible to wear this fabric head to toe!

A note about the pattern for these leggings.  I had a pair of worn out and much loved H & M leggings that simply couldn't be worn any longer.  I cut them on the seams and used them for a pattern.  It worked like a charm and the leggings are a perfect fit.  You might try doing the same with an old pair of leggings.  Just be sure to add seam and hemming allowances, I eyeballed mine.  I now just use that cut up H & M legging as my permanent legging pattern and have made three pairs using it.

 

I hope that all of your winter sewing adventures are going well and include some double brushed poly softness or easy matching chambray.  My dog just wants to say that he approves of this outfit and he hopes you enjoyed hearing about it too.  Thank you for reading and happy winter sewing!

Elizabeth

I Sew, You Sew