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: