Fabric Mart Fabricistas

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...

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...

Originally I wasn’t happy with my make this time around. I put it on fresh off the sewing machine and didn’t love how it fit. My elastic was slightly too narrow for what the pattern called for. I did end up putting a stitch to close up the v-neck on the top. I thought my sewing on the waistband looked sloppy and I looked kind of frumpy in the outfit. I was going to put the project down to fix later but decided to wear it out for some feedback from our web manager and one of the describers.  I ended up pleasantly surprised! The fabric is super comfortable and I felt really good wearing it. All the things I didn’t like kind of melted away wearing it out. The flaws were so small that only I noticed them. I think it’s important to remember that while striving for perfect seams and flawless construction is good, a handmade garment doesn’t have to be perfect to be wearable. This isn’t the first time I’ve softened on a garment after wearing, and it certainly won’t be the last! The 100% c...

Today we thought we would give you access to a little more behind the scenes of what makes Fabric Mart so special.  It's time for another Employee Spotlight! We sat down & asked one of our newest employees a few questions... Let's get to know Cole! Who are you? Tell us a little bit about yourself. I was born and raised in Greenville, South Carolina and lived there until moving to Reading to live with my partner Gale late last year, and started at Fabric Mart not too long after.  What are your main responsibilities? What do you do? What I usually tell people is that my job is to move fabric from one piece of cardboard to another, since the machine does just that, taking the fabric that comes in on rolls and folding it onto bolts.  What’s your favorite thing about working at Fabric Mart? My favorite thing about Fabric Mart is the access to all the interesting and quality fabric that comes through, and the inspiration it gives me for different projects.  What questi...

The Zadie Jumpsuit has become one of those rare sewing projects that I return to again and again. The pattern, created by Paper Theory, is beautifully drafted and thoughtfully written, making it appropriate for confident beginners but still fun to make for experienced sewists. I have made this pattern before, so I wanted to select an fun fabric. Feeling adventurous, I wanted to use a fabric I have never sewn with before in a dramatic color. I choose to use a beautiful, bright yellow silk noil from Fabric Mart to make this jumpsuit. Silk noil is made from silk and has a slubby texture and is linen like. When silk is made, the long fibers are spun into silk thread, but the short fibers are made into silk noil. Because the fibers are short, the fabric becomes textured. Silk Noil is also known as raw silk. Unlike slippery silks, it behaves like a stable cotton fabric so it is easy to sew!  I’ve made two versions, each with a completely different  look. My first was sewn in a red ...

Hello sewing friends! I’m always excited to start planning projects for the upcoming season, and even though autumn is my favorite seasonal change, spring is a close second. Having bare arms and exposed legs feels almost overdue at this point, and I’m diving into a new pretty outfit with lots of great details to show off in sunny weather.  (Also, stay tuned, because one pretty outfit turned into an unplanned bonus outfit with some marginally-careful cutting and no master plan.)  I chose a pair of fabrics (and of course, matching threads) that I really tried hard to coordinate online and totally lucked out! The blues are darn near exact matches and I’m just giddy over this fortunate turn of events. The idea of lighter saturated blue denim like this has been on my mind, and this shade is so super springy and fresh, just exactly what I want to wear right now. Kind of 70s? Let’s say yes. This is a midweight 100% cotton denim twill with no stretch and lots of body.  Which bri...