Made by a Fabricista: Spring Tops

Back when I first began sewing there was a great sew along hosted by Made by Rae called the "Spring Top Sew along." I loved that sew along, it happened during early spring, just during the time that you were ready to throw all your winter clothes out the window and warm up, shaking all of the winter's snow and gloom off. I participated several times and I experimented with, mostly, quilting cottons for my tops back in those days because I didn't know any better. It was great practice for me and over time taught me the importance of using specifically apparel fabrics for my clothes. I guess the sew along conditioned me to feel the urge to sew up new spring tops when the first daffodils or crocuses begin to pop up out of the ground because that is just what I did!

The first top is made up in a linen/cotton blend with a textured finish. Its beautiful and perfect for a nice neutral top. It will pair with so many of my spring pants (and necklaces) including the ponte pants pictured here. I also can't wait to pair it with my Flint pants. This particular fabric is now sold out but there are so many gorgeous solid linens on the Fabric Mart site that you should have no problem finding something to sew into a top. There are also a few linen blends, which I love, it seems to me that blended linen doesn't take as long to "break in" with washings. The one that I would recommend for this top is this beige linen/rayon blend or this floral linen/cotton blend- those colors are gorgeous!

The pattern is a new to me pattern company, In the Folds who makes free downloadable patterns for Peppermint magazine. This top is the ruffle sleeve top without the ruffle. I love the curve of the V neck with this fabric, it sewed into place beautifully. I already have plans to make some of the other free patterns available on the Peppermint magazine site, just because it was such a pleasure to sew this one up.

The second top is made up in a gorgeous designer flannel voile. I fell in love with the color of this fabric and wish that it wasn't sold out but like so many goodies on the Fabric Mart site, they don't last long! The fabric is really thin and unraveled easily- in truth it was a lot harder to work with than I'd anticipated- so I had to use a careful and measured touch and lots of stay stitching when cutting and sewing so as not to stretch it out of shape.

If you are looking for voile for a top Fabric Mart has a growing selection. I am especially drawn to this incredible border print voile. In fact I'm really tempted that some of it might jump into my shopping cart!!

The pattern is Butterick 5526 and is a great basic button down shirt for your pattern stash. I've made the view with the princess seams in the past and had a better fit with that version. Although it is hard to pass up this view because there are only 5 pattern pieces for this top.

The top turned out a smidge fitted for my taste- that's what happens when you refuse to muslin, and when there are tons of Girl Scout cookies in the house- but I know I'll still get some good wear out of it this spring. It is so very light weight that when the Georgia temperatures start to climb I'll be ready for it.

Now I feel that I would be remiss if I didn't tell you about these black magical ponte pants. They are the ultimate lazy sewing persons solution to needing semi dressy and comfortable pants. They are deceptively simple. They are a two seam pant, meaning that they have an inner leg seam and one continuous crotch seam. They were so quick to sew that its criminal, I didn't even hem the bottom and they have an elasticized waist. I always receive compliments when I wear them, but even if I didn't I'd wear them anyway because of the comfort level. This particular pair was made up in a precut from Fabric Mart purchased last year, but any nice, quality ponte would work. I hate to trumpet this pattern too much because its now out of print (aahh whatttt?) but its a Palmer/Pletsch for McCalls, number 6571.

So there, now I've whet your appetite for an oop pattern, sorry I guess! Just ignore me and focus on spring top sewing.

So, I wonder how your spring, or fall sewing is going where you live? Do you have the urge to sew new pieces for the upcoming season even before that season is in full swing? I hope that wherever you are and whatever you are busy sewing you are enjoying the process and having fun.

Thanks for reading!

Elizabeth

I Sew, You Sew

Made By A Fabricista: Celebrating warm weather with Spring sewing!

Hi sewing friends! I don’t know about you but boy, was winter cold and dreary this year! The weather here in the Philadelphia area has been slowly improving, but Spring sure did take her sweet old time to arrive. So by April, I was definitely in the headspace of needing to sew up things that were either bright and cheery or meant for the warmer weather I am very much craving right now. I recently purchased a few SewBexx Patterns so I took them on a test run to create some Spring makes. First on my list was to make a top using this absolutely gorgeous ITY fabric I picked up last year. I had two yards which was enough for a long sleeve shirt. I chose the Olivia top, which is oversized with a drop shoulder, has multiple lengths and a split hem. I think the pattern is intended for heavier fabrics but I was envisioning how lovely this top would look with the drape of ITY knit fabric, and it did not disappoint. It came together for me quickly and was a straight forward sew…and I love the br...

Made By A Fabricista | Chasing Time: My White Rabbit-Inspired Look for Atlanta Frocktails

For this year’s Atlanta Frocktails, I found myself captivated by a character who’s been quietly tugging at my imagination for years—the White Rabbit from Alice in Wonderland. There’s something so relatable about his frantic energy, always checking the time, always running late. While he’s worried about being on time, I’m usually calculating how late I can be and still technically arrive on time. Spoiler: I’m often wrong. It’s a cycle of procrastination and anxiety that I know all too well. So when I imagined my look for Frocktails, I thought—why not honor the White Rabbit? After all, time has been chasing me too. But this look isn’t just about Wonderland whimsy. It’s also deeply inspired by this year’s Met Gala theme, Tailored for You, which includes a focus on Black Dandyism—a celebration of Black elegance, intellect, and expressive style. I’ve been obsessed with this theme since it was announced. As a Black creative, I find it powerful and moving to see style used as a way to reclaim...

Made By A Fabricista: Getting into the Spirit of Summer

I'm not gonna lie y'all, I had a completely different project I wanted to do, but that's gonna take more time, and I wanted something cute, comfy and fun to wear for my birthday on the 19th. When I saw this goldenrod & off white linen jacquard , I thought it looked a bit like the design on a Koroks body, especially Makar from The Legend of Zelda: Wind Waker! I started with the bodice from the free Elderberry dress pattern from Mood, but deviated for the skirt, it felt a little plain of a design, and I had scraps of a Korok fabric that I knew would be a nice accent with some cut out pockets. I've made these pockets once before, deciding the cut out was based on aligning with the seam on the bodice for how far in, and as for how low depended on where I wanted the pouch of the pocket to start. From there I cut the visible part of the pocket, making sure to match the curve of the waist and following the line of the side seams of the skirt, as well as cutting a facing to...

Fabric Mart Fabricistas

Search This Blog