Made By A Fabricista: Rayon Challis Summer Makes

I'm happy to share that my husband and I are expecting our first baby in November! I know every sewist approaches a changing body differently, but my goal for this season of life is to make clothing that not only makes me feel comfortable but is also wearable during pregnancy and after.

With these criteria in mind, I hit the Fabric Mart website to shop for a couple of new fabrics. It just so happened that Fabric Mart was running a sale on Rayon Challis, which is one of my favorite fabrics to sew! It's hard to beat the comfort, softness, and drape of a Rayon Challis! I knew I had to get in on this sale for some summer makes!

I found two beautiful Rayon Challis fabrics that I just had to have! The first was a lovely 100% Rayon Floral Print Crinkle Challis in blue, red, and khaki. The second was a lovely Pearl White 100% Rayon Challis. For the floral crinkle challis, I wanted to make a Rebecca Page Back Tie Dress.

For the pearl white challis, I wanted to try a new pattern so I settled on the True Bias Roscoe Blouse & Dress. It looked roomy and comfortable and the sleeves make it perfect for the transition from Summer to Fall.

When my Fabric Mart order arrived, I made the Rebecca Page Back Tie Dress right away! The Back Tie Dress has a very flowy skirt with a channel of elastic that runs through the back. It also has a bodice that hits above the natural waist and completely ties in the back making it perfect for my growing bump. I made a Back Tie Dress when the pattern first launched a couple of years ago and every time I wear it I'm constantly amazed at how comfortable the dress is to wear!

I decided to make the Back Tie Dress in my usual size small because I knew the dress would accommodate my changing body. I added foam bra cups between the bodice main and the bodice lining just to give it added modesty, and to be able to go bra-free! I accidentally cut the skirt pieces at different lengths. The front skirt was a lot shorter than the back skirt pieces which ended up working in my favor as I was able to even them out into a high-low hem.

I love how this dress turned out! I don't normally go for dresses with high-low hems but pair it with the crinkle challis and it was the perfect combination! I love how lightweight the fabric is and how drapey it is, but I also love the added texture that the crinkle challis provides!

After finishing my Back Tie Dress, I started working on my pearl white Roscoe. The pearl white challis was so soft, that I knew it would make such a comfortable blouse. The finished measurements of the Roscoe have a lot of positive ease, so I didn't make any alterations to the pattern. I also really liked the 3/4 length sleeve and the blouse length for fall. The pattern was easy to follow and I had my Roscoe made up rather quickly. When I tried the Roscoe on though, I didn't love the length. It fell in a somewhat awkward spot and so I decided to add a ruffle to the bottom of the blouse.

I didn't use the pattern pieces for the ruffle, instead, I cut two rectangular strips of fabric about 6 inches wide by the full width of the fabric to form my ruffle. I sewed the strips together on the short ends to make a continuous loop, gathered the fabric, and attached it to the hem of the blouse.

When I tried on my new longer version of the Roscoe I loved it! The ruffle made the awkward blouse length into a cute tunic length. I plan to wear my Roscoe with a pair of leggings when the cooler weather arrives. In the summer heat, I think the Roscoe will also make the perfect swimsuit cover-up!

Overall, I love both of my Rayon Challis Fabric Mart makes. If you haven't sewn with Rayon Challis, I'd highly recommend you head over to the Fabric Mart website and snatch up some for your stash! You won't be disappointed!

SHAINA | @shaina_sews

Unfortunately Fabric Mart Fabrics sell out quickly!
You can find similar fabrics by shopping the following category CHALLIS.
You can shop our collection of True Bias patterns HERE.

Made by a Fabricista: Structure

Hi everyone! I can’t believe the year is nearly wrapping up already and this is my last post for 2024! You may have noticed but the barrel silhouette has been very much in right now from pants to sleeves. To be honest I was a little bit hesitant about hopping on to the trend. One I was not sure if the proportions would work for my body also I considered would this be a long lasting trend to keep incorporated in my closet? But after a few seasons the barrel seems to stay in many variations, I think exaggerated proportions are such a thing now. I saw this Cult Gaia x Gap denim dress collab with the barrel sleeves and wanted to remake it. When I saw this brown distressed denim twill I knew it was perfect. I had been debating between making cargo pants but I wanted to try to do something different and went for the dress once I saw the inspiration. I used McCall’s pattern 8139 as my base with the following modifications. Instead of...

Made By A Fabricista: A Wool Pinafore for Winter

Hello exciting wintry weather! Brrr, though. For my December post, I wanted to sew something more unusual for me, something outside my wide leg pants and big boxy sweaters, and this pinafore combination is exactly that. I really like the layering aspect and how easily one could switch up the look based on the top worn underneath, and how this pinafore pattern could easily work for all seasons based on fabric choice and possibly adding leggings. The new Love Notions Pianoforte Jumper in this incredibly charming polka dot wool blend suiting is just right. I wanted wool for warmth, and the sweet print just sent me. Of course a pinafore looks SO darling in dots. The Pianoforte is a slightly-cocoon shaped dress with princess seams and some large and handy front inset pockets. There is a zip-front option, but I went with the pullover plain front. I love the vintagey, sort of old-timey vibes of this style, and categorize this one under dopamine dressing. Because the wool is on the heavi...

Made By A Fabricista: Spooky Season Hasn’t Ended Yet!

When fall started and we moved into Spooky Season I knew I wanted to make something a little witchy. I’d been eyeballing Stitch Witch’s patterns for some time, and after some back and forth on which pattern to make, I landed on the Harlow Dress. I really liked the neckline, the cute elasticated sleeves, and I didn’t have a pattern already with a princess seam a-line skirt. I’m a huge sucker for linen , and after perusing Fabric Mart’s stock I decided on this beautiful black linen with a subtle rose jacquard weave. I loved how at first glance it looks plain, but when it hits the light the roses appear. I love to make things much harder for myself than they need to be. My favorite seam finishing technique, especially for a fabric like a linen, is french seams. They’re so neat and I don’t have to worry about anything unraveling, it’s all neatly tucked inside itself. What I didn’t consider was how tricky french seams with neck facings would be. I had to pick out several seams multiple...

Fabric Mart Fabricistas

Search This Blog