Skip to main content

Made by a Fabricista: Bright Red for Fall


Hello Fabricista's!  I hope that the change of seasons has inspired you to sew lately.  I always love the onset of fall since it is my favorite season.  Although it is still very hot in Georgia I am hoping that a cool down is just around the corner.  For my post this month I was hoping to branch out of my typical silhouette and sew something exciting and different.  I wanted to sew a pattern that had interesting details with a fabric that was easy to handle and so I settled on Simplicity 8791 with this bright red seersucker.  This top really stands out in my closet since I don't have anything with sleeves like it.  While I can say that it is definitely a deviation from my usual style I am still somewhat undecided about it.

First of all the fit was challenging, I ended up moving the dart around and shortening the length.  I also added a snap to the center front to battle the deep gaping.  The dart turned out fair but the added snap pulls the front together in a way that the top doesn't appreciate.

Secondly I could not decide on what to pair it with.  I ended up sewing two new skirts to see if it would translate well into my work wardrobe. 


This beautiful floral skirt is Pamela's Favorite Bias Skirt made up in a vintage rayon from my stash.  This is a great little pattern.  I love a great maxi skirt and this one is loose and comfortable.  I really want to make another since they are SO easy to sew up- there's ONE pattern piece.  I am loving florals this fall and have been searching for something perfect to pair with this vintage rayon so this top definitely fits into my formula.  
  


The second skirt is Simplicity 8175 which Marica also recently made.  I have had this animal print sateen from Fabric Mart for a while and it makes a great skirt to pair with my new top.


Every now and then I like to try a pattern that is outside of my norm and although I've had some difficulty with the fit of this one I'm still happy to put it into my wardrobe rotation.  I hope your sewing is as challenging and fun as mine sometimes is and I hope that if you venture out of your normal wheel house that you'll be rewarded with a beautiful garment.

Elizabeth

Comments

  1. Love it! I noticed animal print is quite popular this season and has been showcased in a lot of stores.

    ReplyDelete
  2. hi, elizabeth! you look great in your new outfits! have you considered doing a full-bust adjustment on your blouse pattern? i think that would give you a smoother drape on the front. maybe try this with an inexpensive fabric first as a 'wearble muslin'?--anne

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

Thanks for leaving a comment! All comments are reviewed before posting to help us eliminate spam. Your comment will be posted within 24 hours.

Popular Posts You Might Like

Made By A Fabricista: The Sheer Volume Of It All!

This garment was inspired by a dress I saw in an ad, and when I went to purchase it (which I rarely do)…I realized that the dress didn’t come in my size. Ticked off and with $300 back in my pocket, I decided to draft it myself. The description listed the fabrication as a silk cotton voile, so I used that as a starting point to recreate the simple yet elegant silhouette.  My drafting experience is limited; I’ve only ever made garments that are pleated rectangles that fit into an elasticated waist. No darts, no complicated calculations, and definitely no sleeves. But I’d have that dress if it’s the last thing I do! I made a drawing, created a Pinterest board to document my inspiration, and narrowed down the features I really wanted to have: billowy bubble-hemmed bishop sleeves (say it three times fast!), a fitted and lined bodice, and a gathered tiered skirt. Finally, it was time to shop for fabric. I knew I wanted a silk blend of some kind, without breaking the bank. For weeks, I ke...

Made By A Fabricista: In Love with Linen

Linen is the best fabric to sew and wear. I selected a beautiful 100% linen from Fabric Mart that is a steel blue and cream floral linen to sew up a By Hand London Hannah Wrap Dress pattern. The flowers look like Dahlias. I originally sewed a Toile from a black and white cotton bedsheet, wore the dress a lot but never made it again. I gave the Toile away to a friend who always commented on how much she loved the dress. When I saw this fabric, I knew I wanted to make the Hannah again. Linen is so easy to sew the entire experience reminded me why linen remains one of my favorite fabrics to sew. I look for a light to medium weight  European linen for a dress. I like a rayon or cotton blend with linen because it seems to have more drape and be more soft. Linen gets softer with washing and wearing it. This particular linen feels crisp and after ironing and washing, softens up. I like how Fabric Mart describes the fabrics as top, dress, blouse, shirt weight under “Use” and will describe...

Made By A Fabricista: Blouse with a Unique Neckline? McCall’s 8658 Is It!

 Hi everyone, this is Byrd with my latest Fabricista make! If you’re looking for a polished, structured blouse that works just as well dressed up as it does dressed down, this one is definitely worth a look. I’m sewing up McCall’s 8658, View B, part of the Spring 2026 pattern collection, and I paired it with Fabric Mart’s charcoal cotton poplin by Robert Kaufman. I was initially drawn to this pattern because of its unique neckline and tailored feel, and I knew right away that a crisp poplin would give me the structure I wanted. This blouse is semi-fitted and full of thoughtful design details that really elevate it. The neckline is a standout, featuring a collar and collar band paired with a front button closure. I especially love the shape of the front hem and the way it opens slightly - it adds movement without being overdone. The back is where a lot of the shaping happens, with double-ended darts that give a beautiful, contoured fit. The sleeves are gathered at the sleeve head a...