Made By A Fabricista: Back to the gym with my workout top.

I usually end my posts with a thankful message. Today, I’ll start with it: this time, my gratitude goes to my husband. Short of sewing and modeling this outfit for me, he did everything else. Most importantly, he made sure I got started! Let me explain.

My creative juices have dried out in the last few weeks. They say it takes a village to raise a child. I’ll say that once a child is around, it takes a village to do anything. Between work, viruses, and a little one that needs your eyes, ears, and hands at their disposal 24/7, there is not much brain space or energy left.

For weeks, I had scrolled through the Fabric Mart website and blog almost daily. The New Arrivals section indeed reveals new materials EVERY DAY! I was looking for a spark, trying to find the fabric, and then being inspired to do a project. But days went by, and nothing popped up. In comes the husband:

HIM: Can you sew something for work?
ME: No… I have everything I need…
HIM: Ok. What about making an outfit for the baby?
ME: No… she grows out of her clothes too fast…
HIM: Ok. How about a swimsuit for the summer?
ME: No… I am not in the mood to pose in a swimsuit.
HIM: Ok. You plan to return to the gym, so what about a workout outfit?
ME: Hum. Maybe?

Encouraged by that “maybe,” he revisited my previous projects, checked the fabrics, and even suggested different combinations. We settled on the tank top version (View B) of the Jalie Anne-Marie. With a plan in hand, I was ready to get started.

The Anne-Marie View B is a very flattering peplum workout top. It comprises seven pieces (front and back body, back top, two side panels, and two side bottom panels), allowing for playful fabric combinations. I had some fabric left from this swimsuit, so I used it to cut out the front and back panels and combined that with purple activewear lycra. To give a nice touch to the back, I cut the bottom piece with vertical stripes and the back top with horizontal stripes.

The top includes a built-in bra or lining that I made with some Powernet I also had in my stash. The bra construction is clever since it provides a clean finish without hems or hand-stitching! By the way, I hope someday Fabric Mart gets some deadstock Powernet. It would beautifully complete their immense choice in the Swimsuit/Activewear fabrics.

As per modifications, I chose not to add any elastic to the bottom of the bra because I always wear a sports bra anyway. I also skipped the optional back pocket: it is a nice touch, but I know I would not use it much at the gym. Putting the pocket would also have disturbed the lovely line pattern of my fabric!

This project has achieved two purposes: I have gotten my sewing mojo back (at least, for now), and it has brought me back to the gym. Here’s to overcoming creative blockages and keeping a healthy mind and body!

INES | @bynunis

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

Made By A Fabricista: Fall Sewing with a Fabric Fave

Hello sewing friends! It’s usually around this time in late summer when I start to get excited about Fall sewing, and here we are! One of my favorite types of fabric for the colder months is Double-knits - specifically Liverpool . So today I’m very excited to share my love of this amazing fabric plus two new pieces I just added to my wardrobe. So let’s talk fabric! Liverpool is a member of the Double-knit family – fabrics that are constructed using two needles which creates a double-layer of fabric. They have less stretch than classic knits but they have really nice structure and are a joy to sew. Liverpool has a textured surface – often bubble or crepe-like – and is usually medium weight. And then bullet fabric is a kind of Liverpool fabric that often has a finer and softer weave. To be honest, I really can’t tell the difference most of the time, so I just call it all Liverpool. 😊 I LOVE Liverpool knit for pants, dresses, structured skirts and jackets. Fabric Mart always ...

Made By A Fabricista: Sewing Summery ITY

Hi sewing friends! I’m dropping in to share a few makes sewn with ITY fabrics and inspire you to try out this slinky, cool-to-the-touch fabric for hot weather if you haven’t yet, or to recommend some patterns that work fabulously if you already love it. This is by far my favorite knit to wear in summer. Since it moves easily there’s lots of airflow, and it just skims the body. More often than not, it has a four-way stretch that doesn’t grow when worn, so it works great for loads of styles. ITY stands for Interlock Twist Yarn and the knit gives it some wonderful drape and stretch. There are lots of different weights and even some differing textures. Because it’s so fluid, the fabric really resists most wrinkling. I’ve sewn three different weights and prints here to show off just what ITY can do! This white floral is a lighter weight and features a slightly crepe-textured finish, and I think that combined with the large and spread-out floral makes it quite elegant and eye-cat...

Made By A Fabricista: From Paris with Love!

Bonjour! I am still in bliss from my recent trip to Paris!! It was much more than I expected and I absolutely fell in love with the city. I can honestly see myself living there one day. I knew before leaving I wanted to make something to fit into the Parisian landscape because I knew it would be a special opportunity. I was inspired by one of my favorite fashion creators Juliette Foxx. Her checked gingham corset and wide leg pants were on my list to remake. For fabric I used this red and white pin stripe denim twill and deep red sateen for the pants. The pattern I used for the corset was McCall’s #M8182 with a few modifications. The fit was a little large so I took it in along the sides and shoulder seam. I then lowered the neckline since the shoulders were taken in. I used the sateen as my lining which gave a great contrast. My pants are my unreleased pattern which happens to be exact from the inspiration. I drafted these last year and have been wo...

Fabric Mart Fabricistas

Search This Blog