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

Week 4: Jeansmaking- What They Made

This is it, the final round! And we certainly did not go easy on our three remaining contestants this time. This round they had to make their own pair of well fitting jeans. I think they all did an absolutely outstanding job! Take a look what these ladies accomplished & be sure to vote for your favorite! (Link at bottom of post.) And, don't forget to show us your me-made jeans on Facebook or Instagram. Details at the bottom of this post. Danesha from Classyfied Life So first I must say that this entire challenge has been just that...a challenge! Two weeks ago there was hurricane Irma and I was blessed enough to not lose power and then I went out into the aftermath to capture some photos of my submission. Then two weeks ago I had a big trip planned so I had to do EVERYTHING in two days . Then the BIGGEST challenge of all...THIS week! I got the challenge and I was super excited to have an extra few days and then before I could even get started I ended up in the eme

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

Made By A Fabricista: The Grand Sewing Plan

Spring is everywhere you look! Full winter jackets and thick sweaters are no longer daily wardrobe requirements, and new spring fabrics are blooming at Fabric Mart! Every Spring, I try to make myself a new dress to celebrate the turn of the seasons, but this year I had a grand sewing plan to make 5 new spring garments. It all started one day while browsing the Fabric Mart website. I saw an adorable cotton veggie print shirting fabric and envisioned it becoming a special little button-up shirt for my son to wear on Easter. The cotton veggie print shirting reminded me of the Peter Rabbit stories I used to read as a child and then all of a sudden I got carried away with my ideas. My initial idea grew into a mother-and-son outfit coordination idea with button-up shirts and ended with an entire family outfit coordination plan. I ordered 2.75 yards of the cotton veggie print shirting fabric to make two button-up shirts and a tie. Most sane people would have stopped there with the matching sh

Fabric Mart Fabricistas

Search This Blog