Made By A Fabricista: 3 Chambray Pieces

McCall's vintage top 4028 in chambray voile

Hey everybody, it's hard to believe that spring is just ten days away as we are in the midst of another snow storm here in Eastern Canada. Despite the bad weather I'm making some spring pieces and my theme for this month is: chambray!

Fabric Mart always has a great selection of chambray to browse - my first make is a top in this 100% cotton chambray voile in denim blue and white, lightweight and very pleasurable to sew. It is still available here!

McCall's Vintage Top 4028

If you wonder what pattern I used, it is McCall's 4028, a vintage pattern circa 1974 I bought on Ebay. I do sometimes buy vintage patterns that I find cute, but I tend not to make them that much, perhaps because I get distracted by all the new releases and I relegate the vintage ones at the bottom of my bucket list.

I'm glad though I made this one as I find this style pretty and feminine, and perfect for spring!

This 'Carefree' McCall's is single size 10 (bust 32 1/2) and it fits without any modifications, how nice!

McCall's 4028 close up

I very much like the underbust band and the front diamond would be a great spot for some embellishment; beads, sequins or embroidery come to mind... Mmmm, maybe next time!

McCall's 4028 back view

That top has a CB neckline; if you wonder why, it's 'cause the grainline is centered in each back piece, which makes the fullness hang better.

I'd like very much to make that top again but strangely I'm hesitating about which fabric to use; please let me know if you have any suggestion!

Next up is my skirt project: the Carmen Flounce Skirt

Designer Stitch Carmen Flounce Skirt

Carmen Flounce Skirt - this is the long version

I bought the Carmen Flounce Skirt as soon as it was released (last fall). The tester versions pretty much convinced me that this skirt looks lovely on all kinds of silhouettes. When I saw this beautiful 100% tencel chambray I knew it would be perfect for my project.

Tencel chambray is beautiful 'cause it has tremendous drape, and a slightly iridescent finish. This wonderful fabric is still available here!

Please note that it's important to wash it before using it (maybe more than once) and it does bleed a bit, so be careful if you wash other items together with the fabric, it could easily stain them.

It's my second time using a Designer Stitch Pattern, and they never disappoint as the girl behind this australian company really knows how to draft!

Carmen Flounce Skirt close up of the high waistband and tie

I chose to make the longer view of the Carmen Skirt, along with the optional high waistband and the tie for a total boho gypsy look!

I made my usual size 2 with Designer Stitch and my only modification was to let out a bit at the natural waistline, but I narrowed the top portion of the waistband. Other than that, I stitched 2 rows of straight stitches along the raw edges of the flounces with the intention to let them fray naturally over time - I think it goes well with this design and this fabric!

That skirt has a CB zipper as it is a mock wrap - no need to worry about the skirt flipping open! If you'd like a shorter skirt for spring/summer, the shorter version looks equally pretty. I will probably make it as well.

I really enjoyed sewing it as some portions of the flounces are on the bias and I really like to sew anything bias.

Carmen Flounce Skirt back view

And finally: Grainline Studio Stowe Bag

Stowe Bag in dark blue cotton/tencel chambray

My last make this month is... a bag! The Stowe Bag by Grainline Studio caught my eye some time ago as there are plenty of lovely versions on the internet.

For my version I chose this great cotton/tencel dark blue chambray that is just soooo perfect for that project! (By the way there is plenty still available here!)

I would describe this chambray as medium weight with some crispness to it, which makes it ideal for skirts or dresses with structure, jackets, vests, bags, etc. It looks even better once washed and dried (and it bleeds a lot so keep that in mind).

The Stowe Bag comes in 2 sizes; this is the small version. It has inner pockets where you can put your small stuff like keys, cards or cell phone, and the edges are finished with double fold bias (I made my own).

Here are 2 pictures showing the finishes with self fabric bias binding:

This is how the bag looks flat:

I like that bag very much, and the good thing is I have enough of that great chambray left to make the large version!

My 3 chambray pieces: bag, skirt and top

That's it for my spring preview - can't wait for all that snow to melt for I can wear my new chambray pieces.

Wishing you some quality time with your sewing machine, and a happy spring!

Virginie

from

Jazz Couture

Made by a Fabricista: A Wardrobe Staple for Spring - A Denim Coat

Hello Sewing Friends! It’s Sharon with Sharon Sews with my latest Fabricista make – a denim coat for spring. Denim is a wardrobe staple for many of us, and even more so this year with denim on denim looks coming back in style. The denim I used is a medium weight cotton/lycra blend with about a 20% stretch selvage to selvage. Fabric Mart always does an amazing job photographing and describing their fabrics, yet I still gasped in delight when I opened the package containing my denim. It was even better than I had anticipated. This fabric would have worked well for a traditional denim jacket – one with button front closure, chest pockets with flaps, and a collar. However, I have wanted to sew this open front coat with kimono inspired sleeves and big patch pockets since February 2021. I saw it in that month’s BurdaStyle Magazine, bookmarked the page, and promptly forgot about the coat. It’s coat #105 if you’re interested in sewing one for yourself. Fortunately, I went on an organ

Made by a Fabricista: Revving up your style in the Dana Marie Moto Jacket

Hey friends - I am so excited to have been invited to participate as a Fabric Mart Fabricista this month! This year is the year I challenge my sewing skills. I have wanted a moto jacket for some time. Not just any moto jacket but one that has a classic and timeless style. I saw the Dana Marie Moto Jacket pattern on the Fabric Mart website and knew that was the one. The fabric I used was a beautiful porcelain white/black/silver 100% polyester plaid weave boucle suiting. Remember when I said I wanted to challenge my sewing skills? 😉 This fabric was beautiful but fragile to work with. It was a great mental challenge that had me problem solving before sewing to avoid any potential problems. I first traced out the pattern onto tissue paper to determine the fit. I used scrap cotton fabric to sew up a “practice run” of the jacket. I was pleasantly surprised at how easily the jacket comes together. I sewed up the muslin in one evening. It was time to cut into the beautifu

Made By A Fabricista: My Version of the Infamous DVF Wrap Dress

Just in case you are not aware, the iconic Diane Fustenberg wrap dress has turned 50 this year. In celebration, Vogue has re-released the DVF Wrap Dress pattern, which now comes in extended sizes. This dress is so classic and fits many different body types. I got a hold of this pattern and decided this would be my birthday dress this year. This pattern is categorized as a Very Easy Vogue pattern, and I would have to agree with that. Wrap dresses are usually relatively simple to put together since there aren’t that many pattern pieces to sew together. I made View A in a size 22 and the only modification I made was to shorten the hem by 6 inches. I will say that since I used a Ponte Knit , I could have gone down to a size 20. I didn’t read the fabric suggestions before picking my fabric. I’ve always remembered seeing the DVF Wrap dress in knits. After reviewing the fabric suggestions, they do say that you can use soft fabrics, like a Challis or a Chambray. As I mentioned, I’ve alwa

Fabric Mart Fabricistas

Search This Blog