Made by a Fabricista: Voluminous Denim

Can you believe it's Memorial Day weekend? Time during this pandemic is a very strange thing. Sometimes it seems that time is going so quickly that the days blur together and other times the hours creep by. I think I'm pretty well adjusted to this new normal. Doing my best to stay safe and sane. Sewing is definitely a big part of my self care. I hope you are well and have found some peace in these unpredictable times.

I'm still sewing even though I rarely leave the house and am not in need of new clothes. This voluminous gathered tent dress will be great to wear out on a hot summer day even if it's just my back yard.

Works belted as well

This tencel chambray is luxe, it has a smooth hand and gorgeous drape. I loved it so much that when it arrived I just kept petting it. LOL Then I had the hardest time deciding what to make. Does that happen to you? My first thought was and I had settled on McCall's 7936, but when one of my sewsistas mentioned the swing dress by Beaute Jadore I changed my plans. I remembered I had purchased the pattern earlier ithis year.

Cutting and sewing this fabric was a breeze! It is a tad transparent, but thanks to the fullness of the dress it's not an issue. I love the cornflower blue color. Unfortunately this color is sold out, but there are a few yards of the darker navy in stock here. I would also recommend any chambray, challis or light weight crepe.

What I might not recommend is this pattern- the Swing Dress by Beaute Jadore - at least to beginners. The construction is simple and straightforward if you've been sewing for a little while, which is good because the instructions are minimal. I would also caution those new to pdf patterns as the printing and assembly of this pattern is unlike any other I've made. Check out my sewalong video (here) to see what I mean.

All that said, I love the dress! It's a perfect dress for a hot summer day. I can't wait until we can go to local festivals and outdoor concerts to wear this dress. It's chic enough to look dressed up, but comfy and light enough not to be miserable in the heat.

See you next month!

Tiffany

Made By A Fabricista: Sheer Elegance and Everyday Comfort with my Two New Tops

Hello Sewing Friends! It’s Sharon from Sharon Sews with my last Fabricista make for 2025. While many sew a special holiday outfit at year’s end, I went in another direction sewing two tops that couldn’t be more different. One is sheer and elegant while the other is easy comfort for everyday wear. These tops reflect how I dress at this stage of life. As an over-50 sewist, these two tops reflect how I dress at this point in my life. Sometimes I want something a bit special, other times more basic. Either way, sewing them in beautiful fabrics, custom fit to my body, makes all the difference in how I feel when I wear them. Even though I’m quite pleased with my two tops, my original plan was to sew a jacket with the tropical print stretch twill and pair it with a top sewn from the soutache mesh knit . Sadly, I wasn’t quick enough to get enough of the stretch twill to make a jacket, so a top it was! You do know you have to act fast when you see something you love on Fabric ...

Made By A Fabricista: Sewing for a Florida Cold Snap with Fabric Mart Fabrics

Even here in Florida, we get the occasional cold weather surprise, and when temperatures dipped recently, I was very glad to have the perfect handmade outfit ready to go. For this month’s Fabricista make, I sewed up New Look pattern 6771, using two beautiful fabrics sent to me by Fabric Mart Fabrics. The Fabric & Pattern Choice New Look 6771 is a cozy two-piece set featuring a relaxed-fit top and pull-on pants—exactly the kind of pattern that works well for transitional weather. I chose to start with the top, using a brown animal print French terry from Fabric Mart, and it turned out to be an absolute dream to work with. The French terry was soft, substantial without being heavy, and handled beautifully at the machine . It had just the right amount of structure to highlight the pattern’s design details while still feeling comfortable and wearable. From cutting to pressing, this fabric behaved perfectly and elevated the final garment. The Top: A Total Win The top from New Look 677...

Made By A Fabricista: A Wooly Wearable Blanket.

Twirling in a me-made outfit! I live in a small town where the nearest fabric shop is a road trip away, so I almost exclusively shop for fabric online. Having access to an online shop like Fabric Mart with a solid search engine is incredibly helpful. But by far my favorite aspect of Fabric Mart is what I call the “Drape Picture” included in each listing! This picture gives me all the information I need and I find it more helpful than the exact weight per yard/square meter. Seeing how the fabric falls close or away from the body gives me a clear idea of how it will behave and inspires me to make it into something that will highlight the fabric’s nature. When I saw the drape of this “Baked Plum” wool suiting , I immediately wanted to immortalize those beautiful folds into a skirt! I opted for a simple self-drafted pleated skirt with a deep hem. I wear my dresses year-round and rely on wool skirts that I layer under or over my dresses for warmth. I cut two panels for the front ...

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