Fabric Mart Fabricistas

  Have I just sewn my new favorite Maxi dress for the Fall? Friday Pattern Company patterns are one of my favorite to sew and wear.  I have fun sewing up their patterns and they turn out so beautifully. The Westcliff is a top and dress pattern for knit lovers. I love wearing knit but sewing knit is not my favorite. The pattern features: A faux-wrap bodice with full coverage and a neckline designed not to gape! Two cup size options (B and D cup) for better bust fit.  A flowy A-line skirt, with an optional lower tier to convert it into a maxi. The pattern is written for knits with at least ~25% stretch.  I selected a very soft jersey knit from Fabric Mart that has large scale flowers in brown and pink. The instructions are clear, there are many helpful tips for sewing knit included. The faux-wrap style is flattering and relatively easy to wear, especially in a comfortable stretchy knit. Overall, for knit garment sewing, thi...

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...

We had a lovely, warm September in central New Jersey but as of last week, fall has finally started to set in. While I’m no longer operating on a school calendar, I always look forward to the return of fall, the crisp air, the colorful leaves, and the opportunity to “turn over a new leaf.” While exploring the Fabric Mart website, browsing all their gorgeous cottons, I was incredibly inspired by the Eggshell/Black 100% Cotton Horizontal Stripe Weave Lawn . It looks exactly like a lined piece of paper. I thought it would make a fun top for work during this transitional season, one that sparks “blank page” creativity. I wanted to pair the top with a simple yet classic pair of pants, allowing each piece to be a quality addition to my work and loungewear wardrobe, working together and as separates. I picked up the beautiful Midnight Navy/White 100% Tencel Chambray , which has a fun denim-look while being quite soft and flowy. When designing the top, I wanted to play with the stripes. I chos...

Hooray, the best season has finally arrived again! I don’t know about you, but I spend all summer sweaty and wishing for cooler weather despite my massive appreciation for sundresses. I prefer a chill in the air, a breeze rustling my skirt, and layered garments for coziness!  Would you believe I have never sewn a wrap pinafore dress in all my hundreds of garments? It’s shocking, I know. I’ve had one on my mind for at least a year or two, but narrowing down the final pattern wasn’t easy. In the end, I chose the Fibre Mood Khloe Pinafore because I really like the straight, high neckline and the finishes at the wrapped bodice.  So here we are, combining the best of all possible worlds, a wrap pinafore that is utterly magnificent for summer, BUT adding a long sleeved layer underneath to take it seamlessly right into autumn.  On the dress, my only change was to widen the shoulder straps by doubling their width for better bra concealment when I wear it alone. I do wish I’d adde...