Made a Fabricista: Classic Holiday Pieces

Happy Saturday Everyone! It seems like forever since I wrote a blog post. The past 2 months have been quite a challenge as I lost my sewjo, creativity, and drive to create. I had so many plans to finish off 2020 strong but my energy level has been at the lowest. In all honesty, I needed this time to reflect and regroup to focus on what matters. Going to work daily in a physical building leaving my children at home to do virtual learning all alone left me feeling guilty. I made a decision in late October to put a pause on sewing for a few weeks giving my attention to them every chance I get. I have had moments where I broke down hearing other parents cry out for help, but in all honesty, 2020 has drained me the last few months emotionally in so many ways. I knew I had to get out of this slump, not take things too personally, and create a few pieces to lift my spirit before the end of the year.

I have been wanting to make the Dionne duster by SewAltered style pattern with a designer Ponte knit from Fabric Mart I have been holding on to for over a year and decided to make a wearable muslin using this rib polyester/rayon/lycra rib sweater knit.

In all honesty, I thought this weight would have been perfect but feel it is way too lightweight for this length and style. Using a thicker knit or Ponte knit would be perfect as I could rock it as a sweater dress or duster. The next time I make it, I will definitely use a Ponte knit instead.

I modified the Dionne duster pattern by adding 4 inches to the length and graded it from the size 10 waist to the 12 hips. The next time I make it, I will just cut a straight 10 and remove the 4 inches I added, and cut the view closest to calf length.

Have you ever failed at making a look and decided to give it a try again? Well, that is exactly what happened with this tropical jumpsuit using a muted cherry red cotton shirting fabric.

Two years ago I mashed the infamous Vogue 9253 bodice with a jumpsuit pants pattern and it was an epic fail. I did not measure or make adjustments to the bodice or pants pattern and the fit was horrible. With time comes experience and I finally understood the changes needed when mashing 2 different patterns to make a dress or jumpsuit. I am absolutely in love with the fit and definitely can't wait to rock this jumpsuit on my next island vacation.

Here are some tips:

1. Measure - Check bodice length and adjust top or pants accordingly for a better fit. I did use my favorite jumpsuit pattern (M8009) I made here as a guide and adjusted the bodice of V9253 accordingly by adding 1.5 inches to the length so that I would not make any adjustments to the pants pattern that I have used before.

2. Align and adjust darts, seamlines, and or pleats if necessary and measure and compare the distance to ensure that everything lines up. Even though I did not have to do any alignment for the pants as it is gathered, I have done this in the past using the skirt portion of Vogue 9253 and another fitted bodice pattern here.

3. Make a muslin if necessary before cutting into your fashion fabric. Make adjustments if needed.

I am excited that I am officially on my 2 weeks holiday break and will be taking some time to recharge and reset. 2020 has been a year of adjustments and learning and I pray that 2021 will be a year of growth for me. Be sure to stop by my Instagram page to see my last make back in October.

Thank you for the love and support over the years and following my journey. I hope and pray that you have a wonderful and safe holiday with your loved ones.

One Love,

Marica - https://www.maricamitchell.com

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: A great tee shirt pattern – or three!

Hi fellow sewists! It’s Andrea @happy.things.here and I’m here today to talk tee shirts! I love a good tee pattern…or two…or four. Despite having more than enough of them in my pattern collection, I’m always up for trying a new one. And I also have my favorites and tried and trues (TNTs). I love the versatility of a good tee pattern – dress it up with fancy fabrics to make a work wardrobe piece, use a high quality solid to add some basics, or anything in between. Today I’m sharing three patterns I’ve used multiple times and with many different kinds of fabrics - all a little different and all great beginner patterns too. First up is the newest addition to my pattern collection – the Upland tee and crop top by Rivet Patterns. They are a newer designer who I recently discovered when this tee pattern caught my eye. I love that it has multiple bodice options including a classic design tee and also a crop version with different separate and uniquely shaped bodice pieces. I first made the

Made By A Fabricista: Dreamy Florals | A DIY Dress Inspired by Son de Flor's Spring Collection

Hi everyone! When I saw this floral print linen/cotton blend make it’s way onto the to-be-described table I knew I had to make a dress from it. I’d been staring dreamily at all the dresses from the brand Son de Flor who had just put out their spring collection and thought, maybe I can throw together something inspired by them! I grabbed three yards of that floral shirting and a yard of SWC5682w to line the bodice with. I used Simplicity’s S8946 for its simple bodice block. This pattern has a gathered rectangle for the skirt, but I’m a sucker for a circle skirt so that’s where I decided to start. I folded the fabric twice and cut out the longest circle the fabric would allow. Then got to work on the bodice, sewing up the darts and attaching everything. Now, I don’t love installing zippers. I ha d a lot of trouble getting them to sit right, and no matter how much mental gymnastics I do when first pinning one side is always put in the wrong way. So while I did have to unpick and

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