Fabric Mart Fabricistas

Hi everyone, this is Byrd with my latest Fabricista make! If you’re looking for the perfect handmade piece for spring and summer travel, these just might be it. This time around I’m sewing up the Burnside Bibs by Sew House Seven using Fabric Mart’s gorgeous Aquamarine/Umber Brown 100% Cotton Floral Artisan Batiks Jungle Dreams by Robert Kaufman. From the moment I saw this fabric, I was completely drawn in by the colors. The combination of aquamarine, brown, and cream feels both earthy and vibrant, making it perfect for warm weather sewing. I immediately knew it would make an incredible spring or summer garment. I’m a longtime fan of Robert Kaufman fabrics and always appreciate the quality and artistry behind the prints. As always, and especially because this is 100% cotton, I gave the fabric a thorough wash and dry before cutting into it. Trust me, I’ve learned the hard way over the years that addressing potential shrinkage before sewing is always worth the extra time. This blouse is...

Sometimes a fabric tells you exactly what it wants to become. That was the case with this beautiful blue rayon voile from Fabric Mart. Lightweight, beautiful drape, deep color, and wonderfully soft, it practically begged to be transformed into the Eleonora dress by Silversaga Patterns. I have made this pattern 4 times and each time it has been fun and makes a really beautiful dress.  While the pattern is beautiful, the real star of this dress is the fabric. This beautiful royal blue rayon voile has a magical combination of lightness and drape that gives garments movement and provides amazing comfort. It felt so luxurious, I immediately ordered it in 4 more colors. I want to share some helpful tips in how to care for delicate fabric that I used during washing, cutting and construction that you can use so your project turns out beautiful every time! The blue immediately caught my eye. I had it saved in my favorites for a while until I received the email announcing that it went on sa...

When it comes to buying ready-to-wear garments as a sewist, I only ever spend in three categories: heavy duty winter jackets (life in Maine!), bras… and jumpsuits! I love a good jumpsuit, but unfortunately the ones I used to buy have been impacted by the tariff situation and I can’t get them affordably anymore. This can only mean one thing, folks: it’s time to roll up my sleeves and sew my very first jumpsuit!  When I started planning for this project, I knew I wanted to use a heavyweight linen for cozy comfort in the fall and breathability in the summer. I wanted something that would wear beautifully and soften with age, and something with neutral tones that could go with everything. Naturally, when I came across this 100% linen canvas on Fabric Mart, my heart skipped a beat! I love the ikat-inspired geometry and something about it reminds me of leopard spots too. Bold yet wearable! I am pretty sure this fabric was intended for home decor which I don’t mind at all and in fact of...

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...

Intense summer weather is very much here in the northern hemisphere, and I thought it would be so lovely to sew and wear a stylish and classic pattern that’s been floating around for several years, not to mention it’s very high-temperature appropriate. Nothing like a light and carefree dress! The Closet Core Charlie Caftan is a pattern with a few differing views for dress length and pleats versus gathers, and the big design element is the front waist panel. Naturally, I chose the maxi version for all that sweeping drama. There are waist ties that attach to the front panel, and two options of sleeve depth.  I opted for the higher sleeve opening which gives a little more coverage. View C also includes side splits at the hem for ease of walking in the long skirt.  Big, deep pockets and a fairly wide and deep V-neck finish the details.  Like many sewists in the loads of reviews I read, the panel can be challenging; it’s basically a welt pocket which can be tedious and finicky...

I recently got a panicked sewing emergency call from my sister. She's relatively new to apparel sewing and working with knit fabric for the first time made her want to pull her hair out. Her fabric kept getting sucked into her needle plate and she was at her wits end. If you've sewn with knits, then chances are this has happened to you. Maybe it has happened to you enough that you've vowed never to sew with knit fabric again. Before you swear off knits for life, I want to share a few tips for working with knit fabric to encourage you to keep sewing! These are the same tips I gave my sister: 1. Use a brand-new ballpoint machine needle appropriate for the weight of your knit fabric. Fabric Mart sells them! 2. Use a stretch stitch (zig-zag, lightning bolt, twin needle, whatever your particular machine recommends.) When in doubt, read the manual! 3. Go Slow! Turn down your stitch speed, and don’t push your pedal to the floor. 4. Start stitching a 1/4 inch from the raw edge of t...