Skip to main content

Made By A Fabricista: Check on It

Image
By

We are getting close to the start of summer and I am coming to you with this checkered look to start the season.  I had an inspiration saved of a full checkered set which I absolutely loved and said if I ever find the perfect fabric I would make it.  I was so happy to see exactly what I was looking for one day when I was checking out Fabric Mart’s site.  Not only did I find the exact big check but I also saw the traditional gingham shirting in a very close colorway.  I thought it would be fun to work the two scales together to create a look. 


I’ll admit sometimes I overthink things and end up going down a deep rabbit hole trying to find a new inspiration that would work.  I wanted to make something that still would reflect my personal style and could continuously rework in my wardrobe without it looking too “countrytime” or “clownish”.

My other goal was to try to use a pattern that wouldn’t be too cumbersome as I am still working out of a temporary space and also not have to draft or buy new patterns.  Playing off of my original inspiration I decided to make this cute shorts set with a twist.  I also incorporated a secondary inspiration by playing with the scale of the gingham. 

For the top I was inspired by a SimonMiller poplin button down where the back is partially open and ties in the back creating a cinched look.  I used Simplicity S3232 with the following modifications:  At the back I combined the yoke and back pieces and removed the pleat.  I then marked where I wanted to shorten the upper half then redrafted the lower half to make the back tie.  I still think I could make it a little shorter to expose the back a little more but I am happy with it overall. 


For the shorts I used Simplicity 3141. I think these are the cutest with the scallop edge.  Adding in the piping along the waist was a little tricky but I think it came out well overall.  

I think this is such a cute, fun set and I have ideas how to also wear it in other ways keeping them in rotation of my wardrobe which is always the goal.  What a way to start off the summer! Happy #memademay




JASMINE  | @sewmuchjazz

Comments

  1. MichelleMay 25, 2026 at 8:43 AM

    Jasmine- looks so cool, modern yet with a nod to old fashioned red check/ immediately thought I have to do this/ but, then realized ,
    She’s young , stunning and hip- and I don’t thing that can make that!! Beautiful work!!!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Pat GottshalkMay 25, 2026 at 9:16 AM

    Fun to see the gingham on gingham play.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Deirdre DorrMay 25, 2026 at 9:31 AM

    So clever!

    ReplyDelete
  4. ShonieRayMay 25, 2026 at 12:27 PM

    Really cute set! You did a great job. I love the play between the different print scales.

    ReplyDelete
  5. AnonymousJune 8, 2026 at 1:56 PM

    Just darling. Thank you for sharing!

    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.

Recent Posts You Might Like

Made By A Fabricista: Summery Stripes Set

By
Warm weather and linen go hand in hand! Our summer has been slow to show up with the heat, but bright, sunny afternoons have me all ready for light, swingy garments to stay cool. Wearing matching sets has been one way to make getting dressed easier when I hit decision fatigue since reaching for two items that already go together removes the need to plan or do any rearranging.  This is a lovely lighter-end-of-mid-weight linen in the most beautiful and subtle seaglass hues of grays and greens. This color combo strikes me as so calm and sophisticated, and a little stripe-play is perfect for details.  My tank pattern is the brand-spankin’ new Matchy Matchy Sewing Club Sunny Side Tank, just released this week. It’s a perfect little cropped A-line shape for wearing with high waisted pants or showing some midriff.  I made no changes to the extra small. The wide neckline is so elegant and this shape still gives full bra coverage to boot.  These really cute pants are the Mat...
3 comments
Continue Reading »

Made By A Fabricista: A Fresh Take on a Classic Shirt Dress

By
Summer has arrived! That means longer days, soaring temps, and the perfect excuse for me to add another linen garment to my wardrobe.  Lightweight linen and summer weather just go together, don’t you agree? That’s why I choose this striped linen for my next Fabricista make. Hello Sewing Friends! It’s Sharon from Sharon Sews ready to share my summer dress with you.  The tiny blue and white stripes combined with navy buttons give it a bit of coastal charm, while the details make it anything but a traditional shirt dress.  The fabric is a Ralph Lauren 100% shirt weight linen. The stripes are so small that from a distance the fabric almost looks like a solid color. One advantage of those small stripes is that I didn’t worry about whether they matched as I would have with a wider stripe :-)  The pattern I choose is McCall’s 8556, a shirtdress that, instead of a typical straight silhouette, has a gathered bodice, a fitted waistband that sits just above the waist, short, c...
3 comments
Continue Reading »

Made By A Fabricista: The Ultimate Secret Maternity Dress

By
When you find the perfect summer dress pattern that also happens to be 100% bump-friendly, you don't just celebrate—you immediately plan to make it in every single color of the rainbow. At least, that’s the executive decision I made after sewing my first Tilly and the Buttons Mabel Dress for the Fabricista Blog. It all started with a classic late-night scroll on the Fabric Mart website, where I fell hard for a gorgeous midnight blue cotton lawn block print. I knew I wanted an easy-to-wear, breezy summer dress that could accommodate a growing bump, but I didn't want to buy a pattern I’d only wear for a few months. So, I turned to the internet.  After researching bump-friendly patterns, the Tilly and the Buttons Mabel kept popping up. Sewists everywhere were praising it for its ability to adapt to a changing body. Could it really live up to the hype?  Now that I’ve made one, I can confidently say: Yes. Absolutely. Here is what makes the Mabel so magical: ● The Silhouette: A...
3 comments
Continue Reading »

Made By A Fabricista: Art In Motion

By
Hello Sewing Friends! It’s Tira from TIRACOOKS and I am so excited to share this project with you. When I first spotted this fabric, I was drawn in by how stunning it looked it reminded me of a living art piece. Then, when I looked closer, I noticed painted hanging plants in the print, which made it even more special. This fabric is one of my all-time favorites: chiffon. It cuts so smoothly, and the best part? Any wrinkles come out effortlessly with a steamer. Before cutting into anything, fabric prep is essential! Chiffon must be prewashed by hand in cold water with a gentle detergent or baby shampoo. Always serge or zigzag stitch the raw edges to prevent fraying. Submerge and gently swirl the fabric to wash never wring or twist it then air dry flat. I used a 70/10 needle in my Juki DDL, which is perfect for lightweight fabrics, alongside my Juki overlock machine. Look One: The Duster & Dress I was lucky enough to create two completely separate outfits from this fabric. The first...
2 comments
Continue Reading »