Made by a Fabricista: Spring Tops

Back when I first began sewing there was a great sew along hosted by Made by Rae called the "Spring Top Sew along." I loved that sew along, it happened during early spring, just during the time that you were ready to throw all your winter clothes out the window and warm up, shaking all of the winter's snow and gloom off. I participated several times and I experimented with, mostly, quilting cottons for my tops back in those days because I didn't know any better. It was great practice for me and over time taught me the importance of using specifically apparel fabrics for my clothes. I guess the sew along conditioned me to feel the urge to sew up new spring tops when the first daffodils or crocuses begin to pop up out of the ground because that is just what I did!

The first top is made up in a linen/cotton blend with a textured finish. Its beautiful and perfect for a nice neutral top. It will pair with so many of my spring pants (and necklaces) including the ponte pants pictured here. I also can't wait to pair it with my Flint pants. This particular fabric is now sold out but there are so many gorgeous solid linens on the Fabric Mart site that you should have no problem finding something to sew into a top. There are also a few linen blends, which I love, it seems to me that blended linen doesn't take as long to "break in" with washings. The one that I would recommend for this top is this beige linen/rayon blend or this floral linen/cotton blend- those colors are gorgeous!

The pattern is a new to me pattern company, In the Folds who makes free downloadable patterns for Peppermint magazine. This top is the ruffle sleeve top without the ruffle. I love the curve of the V neck with this fabric, it sewed into place beautifully. I already have plans to make some of the other free patterns available on the Peppermint magazine site, just because it was such a pleasure to sew this one up.

The second top is made up in a gorgeous designer flannel voile. I fell in love with the color of this fabric and wish that it wasn't sold out but like so many goodies on the Fabric Mart site, they don't last long! The fabric is really thin and unraveled easily- in truth it was a lot harder to work with than I'd anticipated- so I had to use a careful and measured touch and lots of stay stitching when cutting and sewing so as not to stretch it out of shape.

If you are looking for voile for a top Fabric Mart has a growing selection. I am especially drawn to this incredible border print voile. In fact I'm really tempted that some of it might jump into my shopping cart!!

The pattern is Butterick 5526 and is a great basic button down shirt for your pattern stash. I've made the view with the princess seams in the past and had a better fit with that version. Although it is hard to pass up this view because there are only 5 pattern pieces for this top.

The top turned out a smidge fitted for my taste- that's what happens when you refuse to muslin, and when there are tons of Girl Scout cookies in the house- but I know I'll still get some good wear out of it this spring. It is so very light weight that when the Georgia temperatures start to climb I'll be ready for it.

Now I feel that I would be remiss if I didn't tell you about these black magical ponte pants. They are the ultimate lazy sewing persons solution to needing semi dressy and comfortable pants. They are deceptively simple. They are a two seam pant, meaning that they have an inner leg seam and one continuous crotch seam. They were so quick to sew that its criminal, I didn't even hem the bottom and they have an elasticized waist. I always receive compliments when I wear them, but even if I didn't I'd wear them anyway because of the comfort level. This particular pair was made up in a precut from Fabric Mart purchased last year, but any nice, quality ponte would work. I hate to trumpet this pattern too much because its now out of print (aahh whatttt?) but its a Palmer/Pletsch for McCalls, number 6571.

So there, now I've whet your appetite for an oop pattern, sorry I guess! Just ignore me and focus on spring top sewing.

So, I wonder how your spring, or fall sewing is going where you live? Do you have the urge to sew new pieces for the upcoming season even before that season is in full swing? I hope that wherever you are and whatever you are busy sewing you are enjoying the process and having fun.

Thanks for reading!

Elizabeth

I Sew, You Sew

Made by a Fabricista: What's Black and Gold with Chevron All Over? This DIY Pant Suit, That's What!

Hope you're having a Golden day, get it? [I crack myself up sometimes!] This DIY pant suit is golden for sure. So tell me this, were you one of the lucky ones who were able to grab some of this fabric when Fabric Mart posted their new arrivals? I jumped on it so fast it was crazy and before you know it "poof" it was gone. So sorry I don't have any links to this fabric but all is not lost, you can use something else for these patterns. Try looking in the suiting selection for the blazer. The other awesome option is denim and as always check the New Arrivals. I went to my "tnt" blazer pattern for this project because I knew the metallic bias around the edges would look fab and I was on a mission to make another pair of mimi g's jeans and trim the seams in metallic bias as well. I recommend both of these patterns to any level sewist. I did a little pattern hack on the blazer pockets to make them a little more interesting and I made a pic...

Made By A Fabricista: The Skirt that Brought my Sewjo Back

I know it can’t just be me. My sewjo has gone away and I’ve been having such a hard time trying to get it back. I remember the days when I used to sew every single day without fail and now, not so much. I think about sewing and all the things I’d love to make, but I just haven’t found the motivation. I kind of know what the issue is. I started a new job last October and ever since I started, I’ve been sewing less and less and I don’t like it! Well, in comes Simplicity S3237. Summertime is here and it’s time to bring out all the skirts. Simplicity recently released S3237 as part of their summer patterns. This skirt is a full, gathered skirt with a bias-cut yoke with side seam pockets and an invisible back zipper. The skirt comes in 3 different lengths – mini, midi and maxi. I decided to make View B which is the midi length. I’m not much of a maxi length kind of girl and that mini was a little too small for me. I sewed up a size 22 with a few modifications. Let’s talk about th...

Made By A Fabricista: Summery Stripes Set

Warm weather and linen go hand in hand! Our summer has been slow to show up with the heat, but bright, sunny afternoons have me all ready for light, swingy garments to stay cool. Wearing matching sets has been one way to make getting dressed easier when I hit decision fatigue since reaching for two items that already go together removes the need to plan or do any rearranging. This is a lovely lighter-end-of-mid-weight linen in the most beautiful and subtle seaglass hues of grays and greens. This color combo strikes me as so calm and sophisticated, and a little stripe-play is perfect for details. My tank pattern is the brand-spankin’ new Matchy Matchy Sewing Club Sunny Side Tank, just released this week. It’s a perfect little cropped A-line shape for wearing with high waisted pants or showing some midriff. I made no changes to the extra small. The wide neckline is so elegant and this shape still gives full bra coverage to boot. These really cute pants are the Mat...

Fabric Mart Fabricistas

Search This Blog