Fabric Mart Fabricistas

I absolutely love the big, bold and bright ITY knit prints that have been coming out lately on the Fabric Mart website.  They are perfect for dresses, but what if your lifestyle doesn't need a ton of dresses?  I think I've found the answer:  long tunics! For these outfits, I used Vogue 9159.  This pattern includes both a shorter and longer length tunic, and the slightly flared pants.  The tunics have an inset at the sides of the front, and one of the seams isn't sewn all of the way, creating a nice deep walking slit.  I always have to test out a pattern from an inexpensive fabric to make sure I like the fit, so my first version was with an ITY knit that I got from the $1.99 section at Fabric Mart.   I loved the colors and wanted to show off as much as the extra large paisley print as possible, so I made the longer version.  What I learned from making the test version was that the neckline was pretty wide, and that even ...

Browsing the site (as I do most days!), I came across THIS  beautiful Maggy London cotton jacquard with an interesting border and just had to have it. Initially I was thinking  drawstring-waisted casual pants, but Julie let me know that the hand was a  bit stiffer and better suited to a more structured garment. Look at that texture and vibrant color! I decided to go with a simple, boxy jacket and let the fabric do the talkin'.  I went with this unlined jacket from the 2/2015 issue of Burda magazine. It is a very simple jacket as it doesn't even have facings. They recommend fabric with 2 good sides (be it the same or contrasting) for this reason.  Now, this is Burda so we aren't going to talk about construction. Sigh. It took quite awhile for me to figure out the vent on the back. If you make this beware that there are different cutting lines for the left back and right back due to the vent. (Don't ask) Next, I have absolutely ...

Have you ever wanted to sew a jacket for yourself but were dreading all of the tailoring, dealing with a lapel/collar, and closures? What if there was a jacket pattern that was as easy to sew as a cardigan and in such a basic, versatile style that it could be worn with nearly everything? Enter the newly-released Three's a Charm Jacket , from Decades of Style, as part of their Decades Everyday line. Three's a Charm Jacket - Decades Everyday The pattern company Decades of Style has been around for quite a while, producing vintage reproduction patterns from the 20's, 30's, 40's, and 50's in a wide size range for home sewists. While I've liked a number of their designs over the years, I never seriously thought about sewing any of them because I was afraid that it would look like I was wearing a costume, given my casual personal style. However, last year, DoS launched a new pattern line, Decades Everyday, which incorporates vintage details into everyday-...

Hi Fashionistas! I have been busy working on my 1st speed tailored jacket. This might have been the most enjoyable sewing project I have ever worked on.  I used a traditional fabric, which is a classic tweed/boucle blend, and decided to speed tailor it using fusibles.  Learning tailoring has been so rewarding. I will include some learning resources that helped me tailor the perfect jacket and set in the perfect sleeve! I just LOVE working with natural fabrics. This one is a 100% wool tweed boucle from Fabric Mart... and would you believe that I scored this at an amazing price of $17 a yard?  I styled this jacket with a chunky statement necklace and this gorgeous clutch. And for a more casual look, I would pair this jacket with a silk scarf and riding boots! Here is the back view. It really is a gorgeous fabric! I love the orange speckles in it! Between this and the last Wool Coat I made, I have learned so much about tailoring coats ...

Episode 1 of the Fit-Along is now live! I'm a few days late in posting this (sorry!) We've had a really great response to the first epsiode and I'm so glad there are many of you going to fit and sew along with us.  In this episode, Melissa and Julie will go over the history of Palmer/Pletsch Tissue Fitting Method, the supplies you will need and how to measure and choose the right size for your body. Julie will give a rundown of knit fabrics including the best types of knit for this design. Melissa will show you how to prepare your pattern for successful tissue fitting. You will even see some old pictures of Pati tissue fitting in the 70s! The great thing about the videos is that they will be available forever! You can fit and sew along with us anytime, whether you do it now or not.  And to make your experience even better, we're offering fabric kits. I have hand-picked a selection of knits and rayon challis that are perfect for this wrap dress pat...

Maybe you've figured this out, but I really love sewing with wool, and I love making jackets. So for this month's contribution to Fabric Mart, I choose this lovely wool that has a slight hint of some sparkle in it.  I wish I could have captured it with my camera!  Trust me, the sparkle is there. I knew I wanted to make a jacket with the lining quilted to the wool and when I came across this newish pattern from Grainline, called the Tamarack, I knew it was exactly what I was looking for! The style is classic, there isn't a lot of fitting, and it looks like the jacket would look great on a variety of figures. I eliminated using the batting between the lining and the wool.  Had I used a cotton or a similar lightweight fabric then I would have used the extra layer of warmth. I also thought it would be fun to use this 'suede' to trim the jacket.  I love mixing wool with other fabrics that you might not expect. Construction of this jacket is easy-pea...

With a great deal of international and domestic traveling around the corner (and also back to back), I have been working on some functional, yet stylish travel gear.  Yes, I am the lady in the airport with heels on!  I have an extreme love/hate relationship with track pants.  As an avid gym rat, I stay clear of garments that have any type of elastic waist or draw strings. Something about the way it feels against my skin creeps me out. The fabric I selected for this post is a Maggy London rayon/poly/lycra sweater knit found ( HERE ).  I also used black and white Ponte knits found ( HERE ) & ( HERE ).  I have been wearing a ton of black, white, and gray tones lately, so this was right up my alley. I used McCalls pattern 7199 for the jacket (view A).  I cut 2 inches off on the bottom as it was a bit long for my taste. I used the black ponte knit as a contrast for the upper side front, and the upper side back pieces of the pattern, as well...