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Made By A Fabricista: Completing My Handmade Cruise Capsule

I was lucky to go on a weekend cruise to the Bahamas with my husband! For the occasion, and for this April post, I initially planned on doing two versions of the Wanda Wrap Dress: a colorful sleeveless one for daytime excursions and a darker mid-sleeved one for nighttime outings. Thankfully, I did the black one first and realized I preferred to sew something else with the other fabric.

Why? Indeed, the dress is very comfortable to wear. It is flowy, elegant and a good option for day or night, depending on the chosen fabric. But, with its six panels full skirt, its faux-wrap top, and its extended waistband, this dress took almost two yards of fabric to make, even in a small size! With this jersey knit elastic fabric, it ended up being bulky and heavy to pack. Knowing I am used to traveling with very minimal luggage (backpack forever!), bulkiness and weight do not work for me. I will wear this in Miami, but it won’t travel much with me in the future. 

Also, making the Wanda Dress wasn’t as easy as I expected, primarily due to my own mistakes. I found the top tricky because of the long stretches of fabric were hard to manipulate. I also messed up with the skirt and sewed two side panels together by mistake. There are many tips and tricks to unpick Serger stitches, but in my impatience, I opted to just cut along the stitches. I figured that losing a couple of millimeters of fabric wouldn’t make a big difference in such a full skirt, and luckily, I was right. If this is a sacrilege in the garment-making world, please forgive me and forget I said it! 

Another tip up my self-taught-sewist-sleeve: this fabric is very elastic and relatively heavy, so to avoid stretching it while sewing, I opened the first drawer of my sewing table. It worked as an improvised support and extension! When you have a small sewing space at home, you need to make it work! 

The colorful fabric had precisely the same composition as the black one, so I thought a more practical use was to make two pieces, lighter and more useful than a big dress. I opted for a faux jumpsuit: a tank top and a short I could wear together or separately: more looks, less fabric, less weight, win-win-win. I drafted my own top and used a skort pattern with pockets by Lulu Ferris. I believe the skort came out a little too loose, but it is ok for a beachy look! It took me only a couple of hours to make both pieces because they were easy to cut and put together. 


I did a simple rolled hem for the tank top sleeves and neckline but only used a Serger at the bottom. It is thinner than a hem so that I can attach it in a knot for a different look. I am all for practical and multi-purposed garments! 

I know these two outfits may not account for a “capsule.” But this cruise was delayed thrice due to a hurricane in 2019, followed by two pandemic years. So, I’ve had the chance to sew a couple of garments each time, and in the end I’ve gotten my cruise capsule! I am proud to say that 90% of my luggage for this weekend cruise was handmade, mostly with Fabric Mart fabrics: I packed my long Stasia dress, the cardigan and short beach dress, and these two new additions: the wrap dress and the faux jumpsuit. 

Thanks to my hubby for the pictures! I am looking forward to our next adventures!


INES  @bynunis

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

Comments

  1. The journey of the wrap dress was worth it, it looks beautiful!

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    Replies
    1. Thank you!!! Yes, it was worth persevering! I would make another one with another fabric!

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  2. How lovely!! You look fabulous it these flattering outfits!

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  3. I absolutely love it! The outfits and the gorgeous Bahamian pictures, not to mention the ship upper decks - did you go on Freedom of the Seas?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Good catch!!! Yes, that was the Freedom of the Seas! Golden hour on a boat like that, what else to ask for?

      Delete
  4. VERY NICE! Looks like you had a Wonderful time! Happy Sewing!

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  5. Your makes are lovely! I think I will use your idea of making a faux jumpsuit. It seems so versatile. Thank you.

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  6. Love your new outfits. The print on the jumpsuit is so vibrant. These both look super on you.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Vesa.
    Very lovely dress, I like your style!!

    ReplyDelete
  8. I absolutely love your pattern and fabric choices! Inspiring!!!

    ReplyDelete

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