Skip to main content

Made By A Fabricista: Wintry Chic in Wool

Hello, all! Here we find ourselves in the midst of winter and it’s still chilly, but most of the festivities are over. I feel all the doldrums this time of year and mostly wind up wearing shapeless sweats much of the time, but I’d like to shake that off and aim for something much more stylish. I suppose we could file this measure under dopamine dressing, too. Hard to not step a little lighter in pretty clothes!

I planned this outfit idea around a wool skirt. This design is luxurious, classic, and so easy to wear, and I chose a medium-weight wool suiting fabric in a tiny houndstooth to attempt to make it more transeasonal. I love a good larger plaid, but that pattern type definitely screams fall and winter to me, and I’m thinking this would be equally snappy worn with a graphic tee and some clogs for spring. 


The threads are mostly black and cream, but the design is so tiny that this skirt really reads gray, and I love this more muted appearance; it’s really neutral and pairs with so much. For the skirt, I chose the wrong side to be the outside. The wrong side is more of a black and ivory micro-stripe, while the right side is a gray and black micro-houndstooth. Both sides are smooth and easily used as the right side, so go with what you feel works best!

This pattern is the Encore Skirt from Love Notions, which was released fairly recently, and I used the midi A-line option since I wanted a flare, but not one as large as the Full option. And the pockets! So big and useful, and I love how they are cleverly folded in the design. There is a zipper closure and interfaced waistband that sits at the natural waist, although you could easily grade up a size to adjust for it to sit lower. 


Now, the scarf had to happen once I came across this beautiful deep plaid. This is a very soft wool and nylon blend. I had originally been mulling over making one in jersey fabric, but I couldn’t decide on a color and then the record needle screeched when I saw this garnet and gray combo! So very beautiful and I love the gentle plaid-on-plaid combo with the skirt. 

To sew the scarf, I just cut my fabric in half, right along the center fold perpendicular to the selvedge edges, and then sewed those right sides together while matching the plaid. Then I folded the whole long rectangle right sides together and stitched all around the edges, leaving a space to pull it through to the right side, and also adding in some cotton lace that’s been languishing in my stash for years to finish the short ends. Ta-da! 

The knit top is a beautiful modal/spandex blend with a fantastic striped texture. I wanted something a little more on the slim fitted side since this skirt is so high-waisted. This shirt is another Love Notions pattern, the Rockford Raglan. I used View D which is the more fitted and sweatshirt style, with bands and cuffs, but I omitted them both for a more simple streamlined (and less bulky for tucking) hemmed finish. 


I love the way the raised stripes meet at the shoulder seams. I’m always on the lookout for a solid color fabric that boasts interesting texture which adds a touch of oomph to a simple piece. 


Unexpected bonus top! Because the wool yardage is so wide, I was able to fit a tee out of the leftovers. This woven shirt is a severely hacked Hey June Key Largo Top, and it’s the smallest, slimmest woven tee I have found and I love that there are no bust darts, which makes this a very quick sew. For kicks, I used the houndstoothier side of the fabric as the right side, and this adds a teeny bit of contrast. This wool is so smooth, there’s nothing itchy at all about this shirt. 




How’d I do? This to me is a much more upscale look, and will help get me out of my boring sweatsuit cycle. 

Happy sewing!

KATIE  @kak513


Unfortunately Fabric Mart Fabrics sell out quickly!
You can find similar fabrics by shopping the following categories: KNITS, WOOL, & SUITING.

Comments

  1. Beautiful outfit. Great use of color and texture. I love that you worked hard not to waste fabric and created that cute shirt out of the wrong side of the skirt fabric. People will be scratching their heads trying to figure out where you got that outfit.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you! I will happily tell them my secrets!

      Delete
  2. Beautiful, Katie! I love all your pieces!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Cute outfit. A skirt always looks dressed up no matter how comfortable it is. I am working on a basic black half circle skirt about the same length as yours. I hope it serves the same purpose.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks! Your skirt sounds like a classic, I'm sure it will serve you well.

      Delete
  4. You did very well! I love texture in neutrals too.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Thank you for the inspiration! I love wool basics for winter.

    ReplyDelete
  6. I love to use both sides of a textured fabric! Your outfit is awesome! And I would never have known that was the Rockford.So practical and creative.

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

Thanks for leaving a comment! All comments are reviewed before posting to help us eliminate spam. Your comment will be posted within 24 hours.

Popular Posts You Might Like

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 two piece lounge set with cotton jersey from Fabric Mart.

There is something incredibly nostalgic about old school gym wear.  I love the relaxed fits and timeless appeal.   It takes me back to my high school gymnasium days.   When I stumbled upon this beautiful heather grey cotton jersey knit from Fabric Mart Fabrics, I knew exactly what I wanted to create:  a two piece lounge set that would be easy to wear and perfect for the cooler Florida weather we have been having. The Fabric The heather grey cotton lycra jersey knit was perfect.   It’s soft, lightweight, and has just the right amount of stretch.  The subtle marled texture of the fabric added depth and character, making it an ideal choice for recreating a vintage gym look.  The fabric is comfortable and warm enough for our recent cooler temps.   It washed and dried beautifully.  It’s breathable and easy to work with, a dream for any sewing project.  The Pattern I chose McCall’s 4261 Spa Essentials from 2003.  ...

Made By A Fabricista: Playing with Classic Silhouettes and Timeless Color Palettes

When it comes to sewing, few things excite me more than reimagining classic designs and breathing new life into timeless patterns. As someone who has been sewing for over 25 years, I thrive on exploring unique details and construction techniques that make each piece feel special. Recently, I found inspiration in a previous look I’d created and decided to take it a step further, crafting a full outfit that plays with volume, texture, and classic styling. See below my dress from 2011 that I drew inspiration from. The Fabric For this project, I chose a Glen Plaid Suiting fabric from Fabric Mart, a timeless yet versatile pattern that instantly elevates any garment. The fabric’s classic black-and-white palette gave me the perfect base to experiment with silhouettes and pairings while keeping the overall look chic and cohesive. I love how this fabric’s pattern gives off an air of sophistication yet lends itself beautifully to bold, modern designs. The Dress For the dress, I used the VikiSew...