Made By A Fabricista: Time for Summer Dresses

Hi Guys! It’s officially summertime! Even though it’s hot in South Florida most of the year, summer officially begins Memorial Day weekend for me. Now that it’s summertime, it’s time for summer dresses, right? This is why I chose to make McCall’s M8108.

McCall’s M8108 is such a beautiful pattern. I chose to make View A and I made a size 16. I would have to say that this pattern runs a little large, but it might have had something to do with the fabric I selected. This fabric does have a little stretch to it. More on that later. I would normally make a size 18 but I made a 16 and even adjusted the bodice because it was still a little too big. I am very happy with the final fit.

While scrolling on Instagram one day, I saw someone post this pattern and I thought it would be perfect for this month’s make. Once I finished the dress and tried it on, I was in love! I’m a sucker for ruffles and I think the hem of this dress has the perfect amount of gathered ruffles. My other favorite part of this dress are these puffy sleeves! They are giving me total Bridgerton vibes. I love anything with a statement sleeve. I’ve never made a dress with this type of sleeve before, and I really enjoyed how they came together.

Using single fold bias tape, I pinned it around the sleeve using the markings transferred to my fabric from the pattern.

Then I edge stitched the binding to create a casing to thread the elastic through.

I cut 1/4” elastic using the elastic guide and threaded it through the casing. Sewed the elastic together and closed the opening I thread the elastic through.

Lastly, I did the same thing to the upper sleeve hem and attached the sleeve to the dress using the pattern instructions.

When looking for fabric for this make, I purposely looked for a stretch poplin shirting fabric. I used a stretch poplin for my last Fabric Mart make. I love that it has the right amount of stretch, but it is not a stretch fabric. This fabric is called White/Honey/Yellow/Dark Umber/Cotton Lycra Leaf Print Stretch Poplin Shirting. Although this print is out of stock, Fabric Mart has a lot of other poplin shirting options you should check out.

Dare I say this is my new favorite summer dress? Yes, I say this about the majority of all my new makes. She’s my new favorite, until I make my next dress.

Until next time,

JOHANNA | @soveryjo

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

Made By A Fabricista: Feeling Festive in Red

Happy Holidays! I’m so excited to bring you this all red holiday look that would be a hit at any holiday gathering this season. Whether you’re headed to your company holiday party or just going to sit in your living room, you’ll fabulous doing so. For this month’s post I knew exactly what I wanted to make. I have been a Sew It Academy student since Mimi G opened it back in 2016. Sew It Academy is her online sewing academy that shows you what to do once you open your sewing machine and different lessons come out every month showing you different techniques and how to sew different things. Sew It Academy now offers PDF patterns and sewalongs that come with them. I made the Boxy Pullover Top and the Bubble & Wide Hem Skirt which are both Sew It Academy patterns. The Boxy Pullover Top is the first garment class offered in Sew It Academy, so it’s super easy to make. I’ve seen several YouTube videos for the same top and they are all pretty much contructed the same way. I...

Made By A Fabricista: Everything Old is New Again: A Linen Skirt Using an Old(er) Pattern

Hello Sewing Friends! It’s Sharon from Sharon Sews with my last post for 2024! This time I used one of my favorite fabrics, linen. Fabric Mart usually has an excellent selection of linens . I should know as I’ve ordered my fair share over the years. This time I choose a medium-weight 100% linen with a black and white abstract print. When I ordered the fabric, my plan was to use an old Issey Miyake pattern and sew myself an oversized linen coat. But when the fabric arrived it told me it would be happier as a skirt. Your fabric also talks to you, right? I’ve been drawn to the look of satin bias skirts paired with oversized sweaters but knew that skirt style doesn’t work on my body shape. Plus, once the holidays are over a satin skirt would just sit in my closet. But a linen skirt, in a neutral black and white print, could be worn during the winter months with boots and a sweater and easily transition to warm weather with a tee and sand...

Made By A Fabricista: Cozy Sewing Season

The cozy sewing season seems like it came early this year! Temperatures in Pennsylvania have been in the freezing range for weeks, so it is time to break out the flannel, sweater knits, sherpa, wool, and other warm fabrics. Fabric Mart's website is stocked with gorgeous cozy fabric perfect for sewists living in cold climates. While searching for fabric for my first cozy sew of the season, a Cranberry Plaid 100% Cotton Flannel fabric caught my eye. I loved the colors and the plaid pattern. I ordered 3.5 yards to make a button-up flannel shirt for myself, and a little extra fabric to make a button-up shirt for my son. I also ordered two packs of 10 Soft Pearl Plastic Shirt Buttons and "My Mama Made It" sewing labels from Kylie and the Machine. I envisioned one of these labels being added to the side seam of my son's shirt for a bespoke detail. Once my order arrived, I washed my fabric and reached for my Grainline Studio Archer Button-Up paper pattern. I used this pat...

Fabric Mart Fabricistas

Search This Blog