Skip to main content

Made By A Fabricista: Tropical Vibes

Happy first Friday of a brand New Year! I hope you and your loved ones are healthy going into 2022. 

Whew, 2021 was a roller coaster year but it allowed us to truly appreciate every single moment. I am excited to return as a blogger with Fabric Mart and will definitely be sharing more beginner sewing tips and tricks. When I was packing for my trip to Jamaica in November last year, I noticed I had nothing to bring that had a tropical print. I knew for my next make, I would select fabric that reflected my love for warm, tropical weather and Jamaica my island home. When I searched and came across these rayon challis prints, I knew right away it would be palazzo pants or a faux jumpsuit  to rock on my next getaway - Spring break.

I absolutely love the lola tank and dress pattern I made here and yes I decided to make a few more over the holiday break using some ponte knit I had in my stash from Fabric Mart. Our temperature here in South Florida has been in the mid to high 70s for most of December so these definitely came in handy. I love the fact I can layer the tank under a cardigan or jacket when needed.  To make both pants, I used my favorite jumpsuit pattern M8009 (pants)  and added a waistband. I realized after making the first version, I needed to make a few adjustments.

I originally cut the size 14 and lengthened by 4 inches. I ended up having to remove an inch from the waist, and added 2 front pleats for a better fit. The adjustments I made for the jumpsuit would not work for the palazzo pants so you might consider taking off an inch from the rise of the pants. I would suggest for a beginner to make a muslin with the waistband attached to check the crotch fit. I decided to sew down the elastic and try a new technique which I love. I definitely plan to do a quick reel tutorial on Instagram so turn on your notification so you do NOT miss it when I post. 

My second version fits much better as I decided to size down to a 10 because I was using a crinkle challis that tends to stretch. I also lengthened by only 2 inches instead of 4 as I wanted to make it shorter so that I could rock it with flats or sandals. I had a hard time deciding what to make  with this fabric but opted to make another palazzo pants instead. 

I definitely plan to make more basic everyday pieces in 2022 that work for my lifestyle. The days of making pieces that I do not maximize are over. The older I get the more comfortable clothes I want to wear based on my lifestyle. Do you make more basic or everyday essential pieces?


Thanks for reading and don’t forget to stop by and subscribe to my blog. I am excited to get back into blogging and plan to do so regularly in 2022. I am truly looking forward to documenting my creative journey and sharing it with you.

One Love and hope 2022 brings you good health, peace and happiness!

 MARICA  | @heymaricamitchell

Unfortunately Fabric Mart Fabrics sell out quickly!
You can find similar fabrics by shopping the following category CHALLIS.

Comments

  1. Love your pants. So glad you are back for 2022. Hope your year truly wonderful.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Very good tips on fitting pants, thanks!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Absolutely lovely jumpsuit and good you had success with the bodice part.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Great job!! Absolutely beautiful

    ReplyDelete
  5. These pants got me thinking of the Virgin Islands. Will be perfect for my next trip back! Great fabric choice/pattern.

    ReplyDelete
  6. PERFECT combo with the Lola tank & these pants! That shade of blue is gorgeous on you too! I have both patterns and am also heading to Jamaica for a wedding in April... I definitely am using your makes as inspo!

    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

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