Made By A Fabricista: A Wooly Wearable Blanket.

Twirling in a me-made outfit!

I live in a small town where the nearest fabric shop is a road trip away, so I almost exclusively shop for fabric online. Having access to an online shop like Fabric Mart with a solid search engine is incredibly helpful. But by far my favorite aspect of Fabric Mart is what I call the “Drape Picture” included in each listing! This picture gives me all the information I need and I find it more helpful than the exact weight per yard/square meter.

Seeing how the fabric falls close or away from the body gives me a clear idea of how it will behave and inspires me to make it into something that will highlight the fabric’s nature.

When I saw the drape of this “Baked Plum” wool suiting, I immediately wanted to immortalize those beautiful folds into a skirt! I opted for a simple self-drafted pleated skirt with a deep hem. I wear my dresses year-round and rely on wool skirts that I layer under or over my dresses for warmth. I cut two panels for the front and back using the full width of the fabric, then pleated it down to my waist measurement.

I love my new skirt, I have been wearing it so much over the past few weeks! The pleats create dramatic volume without adding any bulk to the waist the way gathers would. The flat waistband in the front polishes the look while the elasticated waistband in the back makes it easy to slip on and off. The deep hem weighs the skirt down just enough to keep the cold wind out while adding beautiful structure and movement. The result is a lush wearable blanket that is practical, cozy yet polished.

For a fabric that doesn't crease with daily wear, wool sure presses well with some steam!

I always feel so lucky when I find fabrics with interesting textures and unique weaves!

JOANNA | @hotpurlsummer

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