Made By A Fabricista: 3 Projector Projects

Dare I start this blog by asking who enjoys assembling a PDF pattern? I know I don’t love it! If you’re like me, and love using PDF pattern files, but hate assembling them, a projector for sewing is perfect for you! For this Fabricista blog, I made three garments using beautiful Fabric Mart knits and my projector in no time!

Since I installed a projector in my sewing space, I’ve been able to save precious time by adding technology to the fabric-cutting process. If you’re new to the idea of projectors being used for sewing let me catch you up to speed.

A projector casts the lines of PDF sewing pattern pieces onto a table or cutting mat. From there, you place your fabric on the table/cutting mat and cut your pattern pieces directly from the projected image. I've captured a couple of photos so you can see how this looks. This projection onto the fabric means that you can avoid printing and assembling paper patterns, saving time and printing costs. As an added bonus, since you’re using less paper, you’re also decreasing your environmental impact.

While it is possible to use A0 pattern files with a projector, projector-specific pattern files are even easier to use and they are becoming more popular. Projector-specific pattern files are very helpful because they are formatted for easier cutting. The cutting lines are often made darker to help you see during the projection. If you take a look at some of your recent PDF pattern downloads you may be surprised to see projector-specific pattern files included from companies who haven’t included them before. As projector popularity increases, I love that more pattern companies are creating projector-specific pattern files.

Now for my projector Fabricista makes, I made a skort with the Seamwork Wallis pattern. As a member of Seamwork's pattern subscription plan, I was able to access their subscriber-exclusive variation which includes a waistband to turn the dress into a skort. I fell in love with a cerulean, frost, black, sea green, and white floral swim knit fabric. What's great about using swim knit is just how functional it is inside and outside of the water! It doesn't wrinkle, it dries easily, and it packs easily, making it the ultimate performance knit fabric. Pair the skort with a simple top and take it out on the town (which is exactly what I did, these photos were taken on vacation.)

The Wallis skort pattern came together fast! I probably spent 30 minutes total from downloading the pattern to cutting the whole thing out. I'm constantly amazed at how much faster it is to make a garment while using a projector. Without pattern assembly, you get to skip right to the cutting fabric phase, which makes projects so much quicker. The assembly of the skort was also very straightforward! In just about an hour and a half (this includes the cutting,) I had a new skort!

For my second garment, I moved on to making a black nursing top to pair with my skort. I chose 1.5 yards of black rayon polyester matte jersey knit fabric for the 5 out of 4 Knot Your Average Shirt & Dress pattern. I've made this pattern before, but this time I followed the nursing modification. It simply had me cut a full underlayer to attach underneath the knotted front. This top also came together quickly thanks to the projector files and not needing to make any fit adjustments.

For my third garment, I made a 5 out of 4 Sydney Dress from an adorable navy cherry print DTY fabric. I had never sewn with DTY before and when I saw this cute cherry print I knew I just had to try it. The Sydney Dress pattern includes a bunch of different necklines, a nursing modification, and of course the projector pattern files. I chose the classic scoop neckline and half-circle skirt pattern options, with a nursing underlayer inside the bodice. Can I also say how much I love DTY now? Sewing with this fabric was amazing and wearing it is even better! It is comfortable, lightweight, and cool which is perfect to beat the August heat. DTY is also very wrinkle proof! What’s not to love about this performance knit?

Whether or not I’ve persuaded you to consider adding a projector to your sewing room, I’ve hopefully encouraged you to stock up on Fabric Mart knits. What I love about Fabric Mart is that you really can’t go wrong when you try something new. Even if you don’t end up liking a new type of fabric, I guarantee that you will have purchased it for a great price. Now, I dare you to go try some DTY, or stock up on swim knit and make something other than a swimsuit with it!

SHAINA | @shaina_sews

Unfortunately Fabric Mart Fabrics sell out quickly!
You can find similar fabrics by shopping the following categories: KNITS, JERSEY KNIT, ITY KNIT, SWIMWEAR.

Made By A Fabricista: Pattern Emporium’s Lyrical Top Featuring Fabric Mart Fabrics

Sewn in a lightweight rayon challis , this top combines style, comfort, and fluidity. There’s one thing I love in a summer sew: effortless drape—and the Lyrical Top by Pattern Emporium delivered just that. This pattern is a new release, and when I spotted this dreamy rayon challis from Fabric Mart Fabrics, I knew it was the perfect pairing. Lightweight, breathable, and with just the right amount of movement, the fabric really brought the pattern to life. Today, I’m sharing all the details—from fabric choice and construction to styling and fit—plus a few thoughts on why this top might just become a repeat sew. Pattern Overview: The Lyrical Top by Pattern Emporium The Lyrical Top is a relaxed-fit design with bloused sleeves and a gently flared frill cuff. It comes with three sleeve lengths and two neckline variations. I chose the tie-neck view, but there’s also a collar option for a slightly different vibe. I’ve been looking to add more stylish tops to my wardrobe this year, a...

Made By A Fabricista: A matching set and a happy error.

Hi sewing friends! Today I’m sharing a new outfit I made inspired by looks I’ve been seeing pop up in my Facebook and IG feeds a LOT this year. I’m talking about those monochromatic matching top and bottom outfits, sometimes in linen, sometimes in a flowy knit - the ones that advertise they go effortlessly from loungewear to office wear to going out wear. So I decided to “sew the look” using Fabric Mart fabric and a few patterns I already in my massive pattern library. First, let me share that I have very few solid color pieces in my closet. I’m so taken in by whimsy and geometric prints that this is still a gaping hole in my wardrobe - a matching solid color set was actually a practical addition for me. So let me walk you through how I created this look, and also tip you off to an error I made while cutting that worked out pretty well after all. Can you spot the error? Hint - it’s somewhere in the top: Here’s how I went about building my matchy match outfit. And here’...

Made By A Fabricista: Birthday Dress

May is my absolute favorite month, we get to enjoy spring weather and it is my birth month. The birthstone for May is Emerald. I think emerald is such a gorgeous color so when I saw this beautiful ombre charmeuse I thought it would be the perfect fabric to make for my birthday dress. To be honest it took me a while to narrow down on a design. After a lot of back and forth I ended up going back to my first sketch that I created. I love to sketch out my ideas to figure out the patterning and materials. To create the design I used the method of draping on my dressform. I used the lightweight muslin that Fabric Mart offers. It is always best to use a muslin or material similar to your final fabric. I started first by marking my style lines with some draping tape on my dress form. I tore out pieces of muslin to fit within those lines making sure I am always marking my grainline. I also used the muslin to determine how I will create the rosettes onto...

Fabric Mart Fabricistas

Search This Blog