Made By A Fabricista: Liberty of London Boxy Shirt

This post is the start of my third year as a collaborator in this blog! And I still get some stage fright every time I choose a project, cut into the fabric, stitch, and unstitch… But I am grateful - and still, a little bit shocked - to be part of such a creative cohort of Fabricistas with much more experienced sewists than me! This project reminded me of what a great opportunity this is to grow and keep learning.

Like all sewists, I have known Liberty of London fabrics for years. These luxury and designer fabrics are classic! But their hefty price tag and refined aura were too intimidating for me to use them. Nevertheless, on a Sunday morning in January, a Liberty of London sale on Fabric Mart made me dare to push my boundaries. I could have chosen one of the iconic floral prints the brand is known for, but this bold and colorful pattern instantly caught my eye. Its design combines all kinds of abstract leaves, stripes, and warm, popping colors. It is an “Autumn Fall” design, but I see it fit for any season!

Its texture is just as described on the Fabric Mart website: “Fine. Smooth Finish. Soft Drape.”  It is so light that when it arrived in the mail, I could hardly believe that thin envelope contained almost two yards of fabric! I even went back to the website to double-check its composition because I couldn’t believe that a 100% cotton fabric could be this thin and soft, almost like a rayon. 

This was also a rare occasion for me to sew a garment with a woven fabric. I am used to sewing knits, which are much more forgiving, so I was afraid to tackle a project that required too much precision. Also, my sewing sessions have gotten harder to fit into my days as a first-time mom. I have to get much more done in less time, which can lead to mistakes. So the boxy Florence shirt by Jalie looked like an excellent option for me since it has few pieces and a boxy structure that guarantees a good fit.

Just like other Jalie patterns, this one has detailed and easy-to-follow instructions. It includes two versions: a shirt and a shirtdress with cut-in sleeves and a band collar that is surprisingly simple to make. Getting the pieces cut and ready to sew took longer than assembling the shirt. I first positioned my pattern on the fabric just as in the instructions (see pictures) but ended up putting it in such a way – not pictured - that I had some remnants to make a mini self-drafted shirt for my daughter! 

Just a few words about my daughter’s outfit. It fits like a dress at the moment because I made it large enough for her to wear as a shirt later. I took a 12-18 months t-shirt to draft a pattern. It is not noticeable in the pictures, but I put a couple of buttons on the shoulder to pass the head. This thin, soft cotton fabric is perfect for baby clothes too!

Back to the Florence shirt for some last details. Although there were no directions to finish the seams, I used a serger to avoid fraying in the shirt’s shoulders, sides, and back. I had never made a button-down, and I suspect the buttons are not exactly evenly spaced, but let’s say it is a good first try! I will probably end up using it open over a cami anyways. Last but not least, I chose a bright yellow thread to sew it all. Many other options would look good with this fabric, but yellow is always my go-to when possible. 

All in all, I am glad to have my first Liberty of London piece! I hope I did it justice. I love my new shirt and will proudly wear it, knowing that my baby will become the center of attention anytime, anyways! 

INES  | @bynunis

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Unfortunately Fabric Mart Fabrics sell out quickly!
You can find similar fabrics by shopping the following categories: LUXURY BRITISH BRAND, COTTON, & LAWN.