Fabric Mart Fabricistas

Back in February/March I stopped all winter sewing and begin my spring/summer sewing. I was determined to get a head start on spring! I'm usually one to sew for the season, but with a vacation to Las Vegas the first week in May, I knew I needed summery items sooner than later and I was going to get them done well in advance!  I have had McCall's 6744  in my pattern stash for a long time was waiting on just the right fabric to use it with. Then came along some fabulous ITY knit prints from Tori Richard, and I was set! (They are mostly all sold out now, but check out our ITY Knit selection for other great prints.) Many of you probably bought this exact print!  I wanted to be very particular about getting the fit of the top part right. I love wearing wrap-style dresses but find that they grow in the bust. Sometimes it is because of an ill-fit and sometimes it's the construction. I did a rough tissue fit of the top. I cut out a size medium, which goes alo...

This month's post features a special person, my mom! Everyone says we are twins. We don't see it but we've heard it enough that we just accept it. However, we do concede that we share some of the same mannerisms, traits and tastes. Fashion is one thing we typically agree on, so I'm pretty sure that I'll be dressing like her in another 30 years. As soon as I saw Vogue 1550 I thought of my mom. It just screamed MOM! She had recently shared that she needed a few outfits for a summer trip and I knew this look would be perfect for her.  I am typically a pretty selfish sewer but this summer I've set aside some time to sew for my immediate family. I have to say I really love Vogue's Summer 2017 patterns as proven by the fact this is the third one I've sewn up (See V9259  and  V1546 ). The recommended fabric is linen which happens to be one of her favorites so using Fabric Mart's Designer Quality Linen was a no-brainer. The only question...

Hi Fashionistas! Summer is in full effect and we have had some really hot days. I sewed up a couple quick summer tops. I wanted something basic but cute, to wear with shorts, skirts, or jeans. So I decided on two summer tops. The first one is in a gray jersey knit. This fabric is so soft and comfortable. I ordered one yard and that was enough and I have a little bit leftover fabric. This is seriously the most comfortable thing in my wardrobe right now.  I self-drafted this top. The drafting took about 30 minutes. The sleeves are dolman, which means there is no setting in the sleeve, which also makes the sewing very quick.  Also, I  love the clean cover stitch on here.  I used my Brother Coverstitch machine , which I absolutely love and have been using for over two years I drafted cuffs for the sleeves and a band for the waist. Here is the back view. I made the neckline on the front and back exactly the same, and g...

What could be better on a June day than having breakfast outside in your favorite pajamas and robe?  Enjoying the sounds of the birds and the wind in the trees.  Ahh... bliss.  When I think about how much time I spend in my pajamas and robe, I realize that I get more wear out of them, than any other items in my wardrobe!  I made these summer pajamas two years ago, and have worn them out, so it's time to make a new set!  I wanted something super light and airy, and all natural fibers, so I chose an embroidered cotton voile for the robe and shorts, and a dusty pink linen knit for the top. For the pattern, I used McCalls 5769 , a now out of print pattern, but a good one if you can find it. Let's start with the robe. This is a really basic pattern with dropped shoulders, a tie, pockets and a band. Super simple, and even a beginner could make this. I used a narrow double fold bias tape in light blue all around the front band, pocket top, a...

I usually spend my sewing time sewing up pretty little floral frocks, but I do know that one of my most worn makes ever was a pair of pants I made for this blog way back in November of 2015 . The ponte pants I made for that post have been worn all over the world and for all sorts of occasions. I knew I wanted some of that magic in a pair of shorts, so my idea for this month's post was born. When I first spied this Vogue 9189 shorts and pants pattern, a reissued pattern from 1960, I had to buy it.  It's high-waisted, long leg (on Version B) is such a unique style for shorts, and it is really hard to find shorts like this, and even harder to find ones that are long enough in both the leg AND the crotch curve to suit my frame. I knew I would definitely be altering its crotch curve to my personal curves (I still have my original pattern I altered from the November 2015 post), so I knew it would fit me no matter what.  Plus the pattern has three height variations, petite, ...