Fabric Mart Fabricistas

For the past seven-ish years, I have done one court gown a year focusing on the 1540s Florentine era for the sole purpose of learning how to make these garments and everything I can about the Noble Ladies wardrobe. But in this mad dash refinery, I neglected one important piece of what a wardrobe includes and that is the home clothes. So this is going to be part of a project where I am trying to rectify that and I'm looking for the clothes that you wear when you curl up with a good book in the rain, or the clothes that you wear when you are having a busy morning running all of your errands before you put on your finery and the gowns later that evening. What did the average everyday woman wear regardless of social class? When you look through the inventories in Moda a Firenze, it doesn't reference a lot of sonatas and embustos, which are petticoats and stiffened bouse, sometimes they're mentioned together. Sometimes they're mentioned separate, which leads to the idea that...

This month, I wanted an easy project because I am in the middle of switching jobs. While I am excited about this opportunity, it left very little room for a larger project. Thank heavens for simple rectangular skirts. The math on these is simple. You need to cut the length of your skirt; mine is usually about 36 inches. And then the width is between 2 and 4 times your hip measurement. Because I like flowy skirts, I averaged somewhere between 3.4 and 4 times my hip measurement.  From that point, it was just a lot of hemming. Lightweight fabrics with a loose wave, like this Cotton Gauze , tend to warm while you work with them. Because this fabric is yarn dyed and not printed, I was able to use the plaid to make sure everything was staying on grain. This was the saving grace to ensure the entire project didn't fail. The more I wear this skirt, the more I love it. I'll probably add buttons to keep the faux button plaquet from gaping, but other than that, I couldn't be more plea...

Freshen up your wardrobe for spring with Dee & Dory! 🌸 They’re back on the Fabric Mart blog with a brand-new round of Fabricista Makes—sharing pieces that are as wearable as they are inspiring. This time, it’s all about thoughtful updates and feel-good fabrics. Dee leans into effortless style with elevated basics—think a beautifully draped top and easy wide-leg pants that prove simple silhouettes can still make a statement. Meanwhile, Dory brings a playful twist with a super comfortable dress, complete with fun details and styling plans already in motion. It’s a fun, inspiring episode filled with fabric insights, pattern picks, and real-life sewing wins (plus a few helpful lessons along the way!). Press play and join Dee & Dory as they step into their spring sewing season! ✂️✨ Dee I needed an update for my wardrobe, style wise. I used Butterick 6966, views A&C. Wide legged slacks and a basic pullover top. Nothing basic about the fabric! The top is from an polyester/lycra I...

I knew what this Linen/Silk Organza would be the minute I saw it. For years, I have been struggling with wearing my Italian Ren Garb in the hot summers. It has not only been a struggle but a disappointment to have to try and find something else to wear when the temperature is above 75. Enter, the lightest kirtle I have ever sewn. I'm not joking, this dress is half the weight of my other kirtles. I even had other people test it to make sure I wasn't delusional. Over the past 10 years, I have made so many kirtles that I know the process and how to get this done efficiently. The only problem that I saw was how to get the right drape on the skirt without adding bulk and therefore warmth to the dress. The solution? Add a canvas facing on the hem of the skirt. This was such a simple fix that is not only historically accurate, but it produced such an amazing shape to the dress that it somehow looks better than all my past dresses?  I might just be biased. I managed to finish this dre...

  Dee: For this Fabricista make, Butterick See & Sew 5676, from 1998, was the pattern of choice.  I wanted to try and update this style by adding an exposed zipper in the front  instead of the normal in seam zipper. I used a gold jacket zipper exposing the zipper teeth. I think that simple change made an amazing difference in the look of jumper.  Goal achieved! As to pattern alterations, the above waist is in the size 12 graduating to a size 16 from the waist to the hem.  An extra 3 inches was added to the hem line to achieve the desired length. Seen here with a classic thrifted white front button blouse, but would look equally good with a cream or black turtleneck. Or even a cream or black blouse! The fabrics is a plaid polyester  wool  blend fabric. Easy to work with and no itch to the fabric. Wonderful! Thank you Fabric Mart! Dory: This beautiful Rayon  Challis  was such an easy fabric to work with and looks very elegant made into a To...

I have been wanting to make an insertion lace shift to wear under my historical clothing for a while now. When I saw this cream silk pop up on the Fabric Mart website, I knew exactly what my next project would be. It was nice to have a fairly straightforward project for once. This is the first time in months that something hasn't gone wrong in the middle, causing some deviation from the plan. And for that I am extremely grateful. Please excuse all my final photos being on Claire. When everything was done, the shift was a little too sheer to model myself and get a good view of all the details. Be sure to watch the video to hear about my research and to watch me play dress up at the end with miscellaneous pieces of my historical wardrobe!  MARTY   |  @scrappypatterns

 Hello Everyone, This was a really fun and straightforward project. I wanted something that could easily fit into my wardrobe and be a piece that I could wear for a long time. I spent the time to do french seams and make sure the fit was exactly what I was looking for. This cotton lawn skirt is inspired by an Edwardian walking skirt and features the same lines. In the future, I will look more into the Keystone manual to get something less cobbled together. But it works for now. I think the other thing that I would change is flat lining the skirt, because in the end, it probably would have been easier. I hope you all enjoy this short video and I look forward to the next project. MARTY   |  @scrappypatterns

Cozy up to fall with Dee & Dory! 🍂 They’re back on the Fabric Mart blog with a brand-new round of Fabricista Makes, and this one’s all about fall fashion, cozy fabrics, and lessons learned along the way. It’s a fun, inspiring episode full of fabric tips, pattern talk, and real-life sewing wins (and fixes!). Press play and join Dee & Dory as they fall into their next creative season! ✂️✨ Dory Dory used a Cotton/Polyester/Lycra Stretch Twill to make Simplicity 7655 View F skirt with an elastic waistband.  She left off the split in the front and shortened the skirt to add a ruffle on the hemline.  She also added pockets.  This look will be perfect for fall with a pair of boots! She also made Vogue 8263  view A - a cute jacket that has a button on the front.  She had some difficulty trying to get the buttonhole in, because she didn’t follow the instructions which has you actually whipstitch the buttonhole.  Yikes!  So she attached the button over...