Made By A Fabricista: The Love of Sewing - Basic Pieces for a Beginner

Happy Friday All!

It has been a while since I made myself a dress. I am excited to sew after not making anything since my last post (whew) and finally sharing some photos. This past summer has been a roller coaster journey with plans to release a small collection and then deciding that right before the launch to postpone. Sewing has brought me joy over the past 8 years and the mere fact to sew daily for orders had me in a panic mode. I really don’t want to walk away from my craft due to burn out and decided that if I do sew for others, it would be only for local clients. Moreover, If next year I decide to launch, it would be seasonal and not year round. I really want to share my talent and love for sewing with others but don’t want it to be a full time job and lose the passion in me.

After a bit of soul searching, teaching and sharing my talent with my community will always be my first love. For the past 2 summers, I was blessed to partner with two nonprofit organizations’ local summer camps to teach crafting and sewing. I was also granted an annual year round contract this academic school year with one of the two programs to work with students after school two days per week. This truly opened my eyes to step out and research how to work with local city and non-profit organizations. When I got back from vacation, I came across a grant opportunity and decided to submit a Community grant proposal to a local Foundation and was selected as a finalist. When the exciting news was emailed to me the same day my package arrived from Fabric Mart, I knew it was perfect to make items to showcase at the final interview and in my digital presentation.

When I saw this beautiful cotton animal print fabric, I knew I wanted to make a maxi button down dress. Unfortunately,I did not read the description as I was more excited about the print than the weight. This is definitely a teachable moment to always carefully read the fabric description and weight before picking out a pattern. The cotton lawn fabric is a semi sheer lightweight and is ideal for a dress that is lined but not a button down unlined dress.

McCalls 7943 is definitely my go to easy maxi dress that can be lined and what better way to showcase the beauty of the fabric. I have made this dress about 5 times and even taught a few of my work colleagues to sew a maxi using this pattern. I wanted to wear something I made to the final interview as I plan to showcase an idea. Over the past year or so, wearing my makes has always led to great conversations about Arts and Creative Programs. Additionally, I also wanted to share how this can be an advance beginner sewing project for a community program. This pattern is my go to for maxi dresses and is ideal for most body types and can be made with various types of fabric.

I decided to use a dark lining (black cotton) to line to knee length. I knew that it would be less restrictive and still provide coverage while showcasing the beauty and movement of the fabric when I walk. I absolutely love how it turned out and definitely would make another version in light weight sequins for a formal event this fall.

Last but now least, I finally made some pillow covers that I had on my to do list since June. What better way to kick off Fall and update a few things spaces around the home with DIY Projects. I haven’t used my Husqvarna designer Sapphire embroidery machine in a while and figured the Robert Kaufman cotton kona quilting fabric available at Fabric Mart was ideal. I will definitely plan to share a quick 30 seconds video with the process and a few photos in the digital presentation for the grant.

I am honored to share my work not only in the sewing community here through blogging and social media but as well as the people in my school and city. I am ready to embark on this new chapter and can’t wait to share more here. I hope that my journey will inspire someone to go for it. Thanks for reading my story and feel free to share your story to encourage someone who may need it today!

One Love,

MARICA | @heymaricamitchell

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

Week 4: Jeansmaking- What They Made

This is it, the final round! And we certainly did not go easy on our three remaining contestants this time. This round they had to make their own pair of well fitting jeans. I think they all did an absolutely outstanding job! Take a look what these ladies accomplished & be sure to vote for your favorite! (Link at bottom of post.) And, don't forget to show us your me-made jeans on Facebook or Instagram. Details at the bottom of this post. Danesha from Classyfied Life So first I must say that this entire challenge has been just that...a challenge! Two weeks ago there was hurricane Irma and I was blessed enough to not lose power and then I went out into the aftermath to capture some photos of my submission. Then two weeks ago I had a big trip planned so I had to do EVERYTHING in two days . Then the BIGGEST challenge of all...THIS week! I got the challenge and I was super excited to have an extra few days and then before I could even get started I ended up in the eme

Made By A Fabricista: A great tee shirt pattern – or three!

Hi fellow sewists! It’s Andrea @happy.things.here and I’m here today to talk tee shirts! I love a good tee pattern…or two…or four. Despite having more than enough of them in my pattern collection, I’m always up for trying a new one. And I also have my favorites and tried and trues (TNTs). I love the versatility of a good tee pattern – dress it up with fancy fabrics to make a work wardrobe piece, use a high quality solid to add some basics, or anything in between. Today I’m sharing three patterns I’ve used multiple times and with many different kinds of fabrics - all a little different and all great beginner patterns too. First up is the newest addition to my pattern collection – the Upland tee and crop top by Rivet Patterns. They are a newer designer who I recently discovered when this tee pattern caught my eye. I love that it has multiple bodice options including a classic design tee and also a crop version with different separate and uniquely shaped bodice pieces. I first made the

Made By A Fabricista: Dreamy Florals | A DIY Dress Inspired by Son de Flor's Spring Collection

Hi everyone! When I saw this floral print linen/cotton blend make it’s way onto the to-be-described table I knew I had to make a dress from it. I’d been staring dreamily at all the dresses from the brand Son de Flor who had just put out their spring collection and thought, maybe I can throw together something inspired by them! I grabbed three yards of that floral shirting and a yard of SWC5682w to line the bodice with. I used Simplicity’s S8946 for its simple bodice block. This pattern has a gathered rectangle for the skirt, but I’m a sucker for a circle skirt so that’s where I decided to start. I folded the fabric twice and cut out the longest circle the fabric would allow. Then got to work on the bodice, sewing up the darts and attaching everything. Now, I don’t love installing zippers. I ha d a lot of trouble getting them to sit right, and no matter how much mental gymnastics I do when first pinning one side is always put in the wrong way. So while I did have to unpick and

Fabric Mart Fabricistas

Search This Blog