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

Made by a Fabricista: The Bernadette

Hello friends, My Latest Fabricista Make: Friday pattern Co Bernadette Skirt x Midnight Navy Cotton/Lycra Sateen Stretch Denim Hi everyone, this is Byrd with my latest Fabricista make! When I saw Fabric Mart’s Muted Midnight Navy Cotton/Lycra Sateen Stretch Denim , I knew it would be perfect for my next project. The color is rich and versatile—a deep navy that works as a neutral but still has presence. The stretch denim has just the right balance: structure with a bit of give, making it great for a garment that needs both shape and comfort. It’s an ideal fabric for fall transitions, but it’s sturdy enough to carry straight into winter with tights and boots. For the pattern, I chose the Bernadette Skirt by Friday Pattern Company . This is one of their newer designs, and I knew immediately I wanted to sew it up. It’s a modern skirt that blends structure and style, with darts in the back and pleats in the front for a flattering fit. One of my favorite features is the belt, and of co...

Made By A Fabricista: Falling for Knits

We are now well into Fall, even though the temps are still relatively warm here in Texas. I love the fall season and dressing for Fall. When it comes to the conversation of knits vs. wovens I typically sew mostly wovens. So for this post I decided to sew completely knits! With the holiday season right around the corner I saw these three dress styles as perfect for Friendsgiving/Thanksgiving gatherings. The first look is a tried and true pattern Simplicity S9372. Using this gorgeous burgundy ponte knit , I like how this pattern fits throughout. I chose this color to add to my typically neutral palette in my closet. I also wanted something I could wear to my sorority meetings and found this color perfect. It's an easy sew with back fisheye darts and invisible zipper to add to the tapered style. The neckline and armholes are finished with bias binding giving it a clean finish on the inside. I used a universal needle to sew a...

Made By A Fabricista: The Art of the Slow Make: My La Forme Double-Breasted Jacket

I started this project back in July — one of those mid-summer sewing plans meant to get me ahead for fall. My idea was simple: start my wardrobe a season (or two) early so that when cooler weather came, I’d already have a few handmade pieces ready to wear. That was the plan, anyway. But as sewing often reminds us, plans evolve. This jacket, made using La Forme pattern No. 0303, is a double-breasted design with peak lapels and an exaggerated hip detail that gives it such a striking silhouette. I fell in love with the structure of the pattern right away — it has that timeless, tailored feel I can never resist — but it also asked for patience. I picked it up and put it down several times over the months, letting it rest while I worked on other projects, until finally, the timing felt right to bring it to life. And now, here we are — the leaves are turning, there’s a chill in the air, and some parts of the country are even seeing snow. My summer-started jacket is finally finished, and it c...

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