Made By A Fabricista: A Double-Duty Topper Sewn in a Lightweight Bubble Crepe

Hello Sewing Friends! Sharon here with my latest Fabricista make, a lightweight kimono influenced topper – or is it?

The fabric I used is a polyester bubble crepe, lightweight and airy, perfect for my loose-fitting topper. If you’ve heard that lightweight polyester fabrics are difficult to sew, don’t be afraid to try this bubble crepe. I was pleasantly surprised that it was fairly easy to handle and sew.

Even though polyester fabric does not shrink, I prewashed the fabric. I prefer to make sure any potential sizing has been removed from my fabrics before I sew my garments.

I placed an old cardboard cutting board on top of my cutting table and cut out my pattern pieces with the fabric on top of the board. It helped keep everything from slipping while I pinned and cut. Pattern weights would have worked well also.

Because the fabric is lightweight and translucent (meaning light does pass through so it’s semi-transparent) a French seam would make for a beautiful inside finish. However, I finished all the seams with a narrow three-thread on my serger using black thread which blended in very well.

Interfacing was required along the front band. I used Palmer/Pletch Perfect Fuse Sheer which provided the body needed without being too stiff.

The feature I love best about this is the sleeves, which are two large flounces and look like butterfly sleeves. They move so beautifully!

Some patience is needed as those flounces are finished with a tiny hem. I serged a three-thread stitch on the edge of the sleeves then turned under and stitched in place.

I have a secret to share with you. I’m really pleased with my kimono influenced topper, but the pattern I used is actually a robe pattern, the Designer Stitch Marieke Robe.

That means this is a double duty garment – perfect for when we travel. I have a robe to toss on in the hotel room, a topper to wear to dinner with jeans or over my swimsuit while lounging at the pool.

I also sewed a pair of calf-length ruffled pajama bottoms, using Simplicity 8995 (which is now out-of-print). They're cute enough to double as a faux skirt!

When I am trying to decide what I want to sew, I look at the line drawings rather than rely on the name (in this case robe) or the modeled photos. While the fabric is recommended for the robe pattern, it was not a recommended fabric for the pajama bottoms. Yet it worked beautifully! Give yourself permission to think outside the box and experiment.

Because of the versatility, these two pieces will go into my luggage on our next trip.

Lastly, you know I wouldn’t make it through an entire photo shoot without my big dog making her way into at least one picture!

Until next time, Happy Sewing!

SHARON | @thesharonsews

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

Made By A Fabricista: My Version of the Infamous DVF Wrap Dress

Just in case you are not aware, the iconic Diane Fustenberg wrap dress has turned 50 this year. In celebration, Vogue has re-released the DVF Wrap Dress pattern, which now comes in extended sizes. This dress is so classic and fits many different body types. I got a hold of this pattern and decided this would be my birthday dress this year. This pattern is categorized as a Very Easy Vogue pattern, and I would have to agree with that. Wrap dresses are usually relatively simple to put together since there aren’t that many pattern pieces to sew together. I made View A in a size 22 and the only modification I made was to shorten the hem by 6 inches. I will say that since I used a Ponte Knit , I could have gone down to a size 20. I didn’t read the fabric suggestions before picking my fabric. I’ve always remembered seeing the DVF Wrap dress in knits. After reviewing the fabric suggestions, they do say that you can use soft fabrics, like a Challis or a Chambray. As I mentioned, I’ve alwa

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: The Grand Sewing Plan

Spring is everywhere you look! Full winter jackets and thick sweaters are no longer daily wardrobe requirements, and new spring fabrics are blooming at Fabric Mart! Every Spring, I try to make myself a new dress to celebrate the turn of the seasons, but this year I had a grand sewing plan to make 5 new spring garments. It all started one day while browsing the Fabric Mart website. I saw an adorable cotton veggie print shirting fabric and envisioned it becoming a special little button-up shirt for my son to wear on Easter. The cotton veggie print shirting reminded me of the Peter Rabbit stories I used to read as a child and then all of a sudden I got carried away with my ideas. My initial idea grew into a mother-and-son outfit coordination idea with button-up shirts and ended with an entire family outfit coordination plan. I ordered 2.75 yards of the cotton veggie print shirting fabric to make two button-up shirts and a tie. Most sane people would have stopped there with the matching sh

Fabric Mart Fabricistas

Search This Blog