Made By A Fabricista: Gingham Style Summer

Gingham hasn't always been my favorite fabric print, but this purple gingham print shirting from Fabric Mart is definitely shifting my thoughts on Gingham this summer. I added a woven linen contrast, also from Fabric Mart, in the color Spring bud to contrast with the purple gingham. The whole look is given me Modern Disney princess vibes.

This gingham is a lightweight, woven, shirting fabric. It's cool, crisp, and breathable. All the features you want in a summer fabric. However, this is not your basic gingham. There is a slight metallic pinstripe that runs through this gingham pattern that is a pleasant surprise and elevates the print a bit.

I also chose to use a contrasting fabric in this project for a little fun. I love a great color combo, so I couldn't resist. Lime green and purple has always been a vibe, so this linen in Spring Bud is a suitable addition to the make.

This combo left me with so many options, and I was torn on whether to create a two-piece set or a dress. After weighing in with my IG fam, the majority suggested a two-piece. I couldn't resist a bustier look and have seen a couple of gingham bustier that inspired the look.

My go-to bustier pattern is Daria Rose Cafe Bustier. I love the fit, and I've used this pattern several times in so many different ways. Whenever using gingham or check fabrics, you want to make sure you line your fabric prints up so that the pattern matches. This may involve grabbing an extra yard of fabric to line it up. This bustier has boning and underwire for extra support and a zipper back.

I added neck straps for a little something different.

I created a pleated skirt to pair with the bustier using Vogue pattern 1893. I usually don't reach for pleated skirts, but this one, for some reason, was a must. I like the large pleats and the hi-lo silhouette of this pattern. I did alter the pleats a bit and created my own spacing that was a little impromptu. This I feel created a bit more fullness. I used the linen to line the skirt and pleated it in the same way before adding the waist band.

The best thing about this look it the many ways you can wear the bustier and mix it up. The straps can be worn around the front for a more edgy look. Creating detachable elastic hem puff sleeves also offers several options. These can be worn up over the should or off the shoulder.

The detachable sleeves were a last-minute addition that I drafted using my own arm measurements. I created them 20 inches wide for ample fullness and included a 2-inch ruffle at the hem.

This was the perfect fabric for this project and came together smoothly with a standard woven needle and mettler thread metrosene thread. I can't wait to add these pieces to my current wardrobe and style them with other makes.

Until next time,

MARCIA | @keechiibstyle

Unfortunately Fabric Mart Fabrics sell out quickly!
You can find similar fabrics by shopping the following categories: SHIRTING & LINEN.

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: Sheer Elegance and Everyday Comfort with my Two New Tops

Hello Sewing Friends! It’s Sharon from Sharon Sews with my last Fabricista make for 2025. While many sew a special holiday outfit at year’s end, I went in another direction sewing two tops that couldn’t be more different. One is sheer and elegant while the other is easy comfort for everyday wear. These tops reflect how I dress at this stage of life. As an over-50 sewist, these two tops reflect how I dress at this point in my life. Sometimes I want something a bit special, other times more basic. Either way, sewing them in beautiful fabrics, custom fit to my body, makes all the difference in how I feel when I wear them. Even though I’m quite pleased with my two tops, my original plan was to sew a jacket with the tropical print stretch twill and pair it with a top sewn from the soutache mesh knit . Sadly, I wasn’t quick enough to get enough of the stretch twill to make a jacket, so a top it was! You do know you have to act fast when you see something you love on Fabric ...

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