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.

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: Closing 2025 with a Lined Jacket

Hello again, sewing friends! It seems we have arrived yet again in the grandest season for layering, all this oncoming cold weather. I like ending the year with something warm and very useful. Seems based on my past Fabricista posts, I love to sew year-end outerwear, and this round is no different! I challenged myself with a new lined coat (wait, jacket? Coat? I feel like the presence of wool changes things?). Anyhoo, since the lovely Chalk & Notch Den Jacket has been in my queue, I proceeded ahead. I like the large pockets, the option to line or not, and the extra bodice and sleeve seams for topstitching. Sewing this coat is not at all difficult, but the many pieces and loads of topstitching will take a bit of time. My version took me a few multiple-hour sessions to complete. I sewed a size 2, which matches my measurements, and I made no alterations. Hint: for a quick size test, just employ the lining pieces. Gorgeous, muted blue as a soft wool flannel ? This is ...

Made By A Fabricista: Chalk and Notch Wren Dress: My Buffet dress for the Christmas season!

I recently sewed the Chalk and Notch Wren dress using a beautifully soft black voile from Fabric Mart, and it turned into such a satisfying, enjoyable project. The pattern itself is very easy to understand and straightforward with clear instructions, intuitive construction, and a relaxed fit that makes the sewing process easy. A buffet dress in the sewing community is a dress that is loose fitting, so you can eat at the buffet without your dress being uncomfortable afterwards, lol! Because the voile I chose is extremely thin and transparent, I opted to line the bodice and first tier. Adding a lining not only provided modesty but also gave the delicate fabric a bit more stability, especially around the neckline and button placket. A helpful tip when sewing a lining into a lightweight bodice is to treat the lining and the main fabric as one. I sewed the bodice as you would for a lined bodice, and the first tier I sewed the pieces together with a basting stitch to make the process...

Fabric Mart Fabricistas

Search This Blog