Skip to main content

Made by a Fabricista: A Love Affair with Leopard Print and Black

By
Happy Saturday ALL!!

Hope you are all READY for HOLIDAYS! I am super excited as I am on break for 2 weeks and can't wait to finish up a few sewing projects before 2017 is over.  For the holidays this year, I opted and plan to make garments that can be worn year round, creating staple pieces in my closet rather than focusing on seasonal items or prints.  I have always wanted to create a leopard print cardigan or sweater and when I came across this beautiful print on sale, I had to grab it.


I love any animal print which is less of a trend and is more of a classic print.  I have always grabbed anything in cheetah or leopard print that catches my eyes. My favorite sweater in cheetah print has been worn so many times the last 4 years and is now in a dump pile.  When I found this print, I knew it was perfect to replace the sweater that I loved so much.




 I wanted to mix the print with the black ponte knit and add my own twist to it.  I opted to use the print only in the front and on the cuffs.


I wanted to create a  wearable muslin and a simple view from one of McCall Winter Holiday collection pattern M7688 (here) and wore it over my little black dress. I created view A without the pocket as I wanted the remaining black ponte knit to create the dress below.


Can you believe for the last 3 years of sewing, I have never made a black dress?


I have been looking for a thick ponte knit fabric for the last 2 months and came across this great find on sale for 50% with a pre-cut cardigan kit (here).  I was so happy to grab the last kit with almost 3 yards.  Based on the amount left over from my sweater, I knew it was just enough to create a little black dress without sleeves so instead, I used some black polyester sheer lace from my stash to jazz it up. Fabric Mart has a similar lace available in stock. (here)


The pattern that I hacked is Mimi G's - Georgia knit long sleeve turtle neck top pattern (here).  I decided to create a midi dress instead of the top and omitted the ruffles from the sleeves.  

This dress is so perfect for a NEW YEAR'S EVE party!


I am totally in love with my first lace sleeve dress and plan to add my own flare to future sewing projects and take more fashion risk with commercial and self drafted patterns.  I can't wait to cut into some amazing fabric the next 2 weeks while I am off.  I am super excited about 2018 and plan to step out of my comfort zone and sew more often than I did in 2017.

Thanks for stopping!
Happy Holidays and Cheers to the New Year!  

Comments

  1. ElizabethDecember 23, 2017 at 8:37 AM

    Both are gorgeous Marcia! Happy holiday sewing!

    ReplyDelete
  2. MaricaDecember 23, 2017 at 11:26 AM

    Thanks.

    ReplyDelete
  3. UnknownDecember 23, 2017 at 2:16 PM

    U go Marica.... Very talented. Looks gorgeous

    ReplyDelete
  4. UnknownDecember 23, 2017 at 2:30 PM

    I love them... No more ready-made...you go girl....

    ReplyDelete
  5. Ann BrodskyDecember 23, 2017 at 5:08 PM

    What a great idea to make the sweatshirt to give a completely different look to your LBD! And I liked how you only used the leopard print for part of it. You look amazing in this dress. Happy Holidays to you as well!

    ReplyDelete
  6. JDDecember 23, 2017 at 6:46 PM

    Both items are really nice looking on you. You did a fabulous job. Hope your Holidays are Merry and Bright.

    ReplyDelete
  7. JoanDecember 24, 2017 at 6:45 AM

    Stunning! Thanks for sharing.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Jeanette MitchellDecember 24, 2017 at 10:14 PM

    Thanks for sharing Marica. You did a great job and you look amazing. Love the pattern, hacks and fabric choices. Merry Christmas & Happy New Year!

    ReplyDelete
  9. MaricaDecember 25, 2017 at 3:55 PM

    Thank you so much. Happy Holidays to you too.

    ReplyDelete
  10. TeeDecember 26, 2017 at 6:58 AM

    Simply beautiful! The lace sleeves are so chic!

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

Thanks for leaving a comment! All comments are reviewed before posting to help us eliminate spam. Your comment will be posted within 24 hours.

Popular Posts You Might Like

Made by a Fabricista: Structure

By
Hi everyone!  I can’t believe the year is nearly wrapping up already and this is my last post for 2024! You may have noticed but the barrel silhouette has been very much in right now from pants to sleeves.  To be honest I was a little bit hesitant about hopping on to the trend.  One I was not sure if the proportions would work for my body also I considered would this be a long lasting trend to keep incorporated in my closet?  But after a few seasons the barrel seems to stay in many variations, I think exaggerated proportions are such a thing now.  I saw this Cult Gaia x Gap denim dress collab with the barrel sleeves and wanted to remake it.  When I saw this brown distressed denim twill I knew it was perfect.  I had been debating between making cargo pants but I wanted to try to do something different and went for the dress once I saw the inspiration.   I used McCall’s pattern 8139 as my base with the following modifications.  Instead of...
10 comments
Continue Reading »

Made By A Fabricista: A Wool Pinafore for Winter

By
Hello exciting wintry weather! Brrr, though. For my December post, I wanted to sew something more unusual for me, something outside my wide leg pants and big boxy sweaters, and this pinafore combination is exactly that. I really like the layering aspect and how easily one could switch up the look based on the top worn underneath, and how this pinafore pattern could easily work for all seasons based on fabric choice and possibly adding leggings. The new Love Notions Pianoforte Jumper in this incredibly charming polka dot wool blend suiting is just right. I wanted wool for warmth, and the sweet print just sent me. Of course a pinafore looks SO darling in dots. The Pianoforte is a slightly-cocoon shaped dress with princess seams and some large and handy front inset pockets. There is a zip-front option, but I went with the pullover plain front. I love the vintagey, sort of old-timey vibes of this style, and categorize this one under dopamine dressing.  Because the wool is on the heavi...
3 comments
Continue Reading »

Made By A Fabricista: Cozy Sewing Season

By
The cozy sewing season seems like it came early this year! Temperatures in Pennsylvania have been in the freezing range for weeks, so it is time to break out the flannel, sweater knits, sherpa, wool, and other warm fabrics. Fabric Mart's website is stocked with gorgeous cozy fabric perfect for sewists living in cold climates. While searching for fabric for my first cozy sew of the season, a Cranberry Plaid 100% Cotton Flannel fabric caught my eye. I loved the colors and the plaid pattern. I ordered 3.5 yards to make a button-up flannel shirt for myself, and a little extra fabric to make a button-up shirt for my son. I also ordered two packs of 10 Soft Pearl Plastic Shirt Buttons and "My Mama Made It" sewing labels from Kylie and the Machine. I envisioned one of these labels being added to the side seam of my son's shirt for a bespoke detail. Once my order arrived, I washed my fabric and reached for my Grainline Studio Archer Button-Up paper pattern. I used this pat...
3 comments
Continue Reading »