Made By A Fabricista: Stepping Into Summer in Pretty Crepe

Hi Guys! Summer is here! Yes, it’s been 80 degrees in Florida all week and we’ve been to the pool. We usually cook out for Memorial Day and go to the pool to open the official summer season and the weather was perfect for it. When I started thinking about this post, I thought, summertime. I wanted to select a great fabric and a summer dress to go with it and I think I might have found the perfect combination.

I selected to make McCall’s M8507. This pattern is described as an easy to sew dress with a ruched bodice, elastic neckline and waist with different sleeve lengths and sleeve variations. I made a combination of View B and View A. Based on my body measurements, I made a size 22. I selected to make the longer sleeves with the elastic at the hem and I made the shorter version. I only made 1 modification to the dress. After I finished the bodice, I realized this dress had a very deep V neck. I don’t mind showing a little cleavage, but this was a bit much and my bra was showing. I decided to hand sew the cleavage closed a little. I love the way it came out.

As with any fabric that I end up loving, as soon as I saw it, I knew I have it. I selected this dark green and white large grid floral bubble crepe fabric. This fabric is so soft and really nice to sew with. This is a thin fabric, but it’s not slippery or hard to handle and sews up perfectly. It has a great drape and is perfect for these long summer days. I’m going on a cruise soon and I can’t wait to wear it as we set sail in the Caribbean!

I usually try to include some sort of sewing trick or tutorial in my blog posts, and I have a quick and effective tip for you this time. I learned this a very long time ago and I use it every single time I sew. I know there are some of you out there that will just wing a hem and sew it up without measuring a thing and just eye balling it. The way my brain works, I can’t do that. It is also a pain to measure and press a hem with a seam gauge. What I do is, sew a basting stitch using the designated seam allowance. I then press it and sew. Once I’m done, I remove the basting stitch and I end up with a perfect hem every single time. You’re welcome!

Have I shared my DIY Birkenstocks with you all yet? I don’t recall. At any rate, I made my shoes! I believe I made these last summer with a kit I purchased from my friend Jaimie from www.creationsbyjaimie.com. The kit comes with everything you need to make these shoes, except the leather. You can find pieces of leather or suede online for a very inexpensive price. I love these shoes and wear then whenever I can. Of course, I make sure to tell people I made then.

If you want a flowly fabric for your summertime makes, then I would suggest you pick up some crepe fabric from Fabric Mart. Unfortunately, this print is sold out. I wish I had gotten more because I am absolutely smitten with this fabric.

Until next time!

JOHANNA | @soveryjo

Made by a Fabricista: The Bernadette

Hello friends, My Latest Fabricista Make: Friday pattern Co Bernadette Skirt x Midnight Navy Cotton/Lycra Sateen Stretch Denim Hi everyone, this is Byrd with my latest Fabricista make! When I saw Fabric Mart’s Muted Midnight Navy Cotton/Lycra Sateen Stretch Denim , I knew it would be perfect for my next project. The color is rich and versatile—a deep navy that works as a neutral but still has presence. The stretch denim has just the right balance: structure with a bit of give, making it great for a garment that needs both shape and comfort. It’s an ideal fabric for fall transitions, but it’s sturdy enough to carry straight into winter with tights and boots. For the pattern, I chose the Bernadette Skirt by Friday Pattern Company . This is one of their newer designs, and I knew immediately I wanted to sew it up. It’s a modern skirt that blends structure and style, with darts in the back and pleats in the front for a flattering fit. One of my favorite features is the belt, and of co...

Made By A Fabricista: Falling for Knits

We are now well into Fall, even though the temps are still relatively warm here in Texas. I love the fall season and dressing for Fall. When it comes to the conversation of knits vs. wovens I typically sew mostly wovens. So for this post I decided to sew completely knits! With the holiday season right around the corner I saw these three dress styles as perfect for Friendsgiving/Thanksgiving gatherings. The first look is a tried and true pattern Simplicity S9372. Using this gorgeous burgundy ponte knit , I like how this pattern fits throughout. I chose this color to add to my typically neutral palette in my closet. I also wanted something I could wear to my sorority meetings and found this color perfect. It's an easy sew with back fisheye darts and invisible zipper to add to the tapered style. The neckline and armholes are finished with bias binding giving it a clean finish on the inside. I used a universal needle to sew a...

Made By A Fabricista: The Art of the Slow Make: My La Forme Double-Breasted Jacket

I started this project back in July — one of those mid-summer sewing plans meant to get me ahead for fall. My idea was simple: start my wardrobe a season (or two) early so that when cooler weather came, I’d already have a few handmade pieces ready to wear. That was the plan, anyway. But as sewing often reminds us, plans evolve. This jacket, made using La Forme pattern No. 0303, is a double-breasted design with peak lapels and an exaggerated hip detail that gives it such a striking silhouette. I fell in love with the structure of the pattern right away — it has that timeless, tailored feel I can never resist — but it also asked for patience. I picked it up and put it down several times over the months, letting it rest while I worked on other projects, until finally, the timing felt right to bring it to life. And now, here we are — the leaves are turning, there’s a chill in the air, and some parts of the country are even seeing snow. My summer-started jacket is finally finished, and it c...

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