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: 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