Fabric Mart Fabricistas

I have so many distinct memories from middle school of sneaking downstairs after everyone has gone to bed and watching Inuyasha on Toonami with the volume just barely above mute to see what adventures and drama Kagome and her friends get into. My favorite character has always been Sango. She's strong and fiercely loyal to those she trusts, absolute role model material! This project is a bit of a redemption for me, as Sango was the second ever cosplay I made about 16 years ago! My fabric choices were made easy for me because there were linens all in the perfect colors for her travelling outfit and would be ideal for summer cosplaying, especially here in Arizona! Once I got my fabric all washed and pressed, the next thing I had to do was start pulling threads. For the green fabric I couldn't opt for any other method for cutting the length of the skirt since you'd be able to notice if my hemline wasn't straight, so pulling a thread as a guide was an absolute must! The gre...

 Hi everyone, this is Byrd with my latest Fabricista make! If you’re looking for a polished, structured blouse that works just as well dressed up as it does dressed down, this one is definitely worth a look. I’m sewing up McCall’s 8658, View B, part of the Spring 2026 pattern collection, and I paired it with Fabric Mart’s charcoal cotton poplin by Robert Kaufman. I was initially drawn to this pattern because of its unique neckline and tailored feel, and I knew right away that a crisp poplin would give me the structure I wanted. This blouse is semi-fitted and full of thoughtful design details that really elevate it. The neckline is a standout, featuring a collar and collar band paired with a front button closure. I especially love the shape of the front hem and the way it opens slightly - it adds movement without being overdone. The back is where a lot of the shaping happens, with double-ended darts that give a beautiful, contoured fit. The sleeves are gathered at the sleeve head a...

Linen is the best fabric to sew and wear. I selected a beautiful 100% linen from Fabric Mart that is a steel blue and cream floral linen to sew up a By Hand London Hannah Wrap Dress pattern. The flowers look like Dahlias. I originally sewed a Toile from a black and white cotton bedsheet, wore the dress a lot but never made it again. I gave the Toile away to a friend who always commented on how much she loved the dress. When I saw this fabric, I knew I wanted to make the Hannah again. Linen is so easy to sew the entire experience reminded me why linen remains one of my favorite fabrics to sew. I look for a light to medium weight  European linen for a dress. I like a rayon or cotton blend with linen because it seems to have more drape and be more soft. Linen gets softer with washing and wearing it. This particular linen feels crisp and after ironing and washing, softens up. I like how Fabric Mart describes the fabrics as top, dress, blouse, shirt weight under “Use” and will describe...

Hello sewing friends! I’m back on the blog today continuing to share my obsession with sewing ITY fabric. If you’ve seen any of my previous posts, you know that I like to shout from the rooftops about how much I love creating garments with ITY.  ITY is short for Interlock Twist Yarn, and the name describes the construction process. The key thing to know about this fabric is that it is usually wrinkle-resistant, silky and smooth to the touch, and despite being polyester, feels relatively cool to wear in the summer too.  Here is one of my all time favorite dresses I made from ITY a few years ago which has been in regular rotation in my work wardrobe: And here is the awesome thing about ITY and Fabric Mart - this fabric is super popular with designers and so Fabric Mart is always picking up new and on trend stock. When I browse the website, it is always the first section I check because there are some GORGEOUS fabrics I’ve seen and grabbed over the years. Here’s a favorite top o...

This garment was inspired by a dress I saw in an ad, and when I went to purchase it (which I rarely do)…I realized that the dress didn’t come in my size. Ticked off and with $300 back in my pocket, I decided to draft it myself. The description listed the fabrication as a silk cotton voile, so I used that as a starting point to recreate the simple yet elegant silhouette.  My drafting experience is limited; I’ve only ever made garments that are pleated rectangles that fit into an elasticated waist. No darts, no complicated calculations, and definitely no sleeves. But I’d have that dress if it’s the last thing I do! I made a drawing, created a Pinterest board to document my inspiration, and narrowed down the features I really wanted to have: billowy bubble-hemmed bishop sleeves (say it three times fast!), a fitted and lined bodice, and a gathered tiered skirt. Finally, it was time to shop for fabric. I knew I wanted a silk blend of some kind, without breaking the bank. For weeks, I ke...