Skip to main content

Made by a Fabricista: Bright Red for Fall


Hello Fabricista's!  I hope that the change of seasons has inspired you to sew lately.  I always love the onset of fall since it is my favorite season.  Although it is still very hot in Georgia I am hoping that a cool down is just around the corner.  For my post this month I was hoping to branch out of my typical silhouette and sew something exciting and different.  I wanted to sew a pattern that had interesting details with a fabric that was easy to handle and so I settled on Simplicity 8791 with this bright red seersucker.  This top really stands out in my closet since I don't have anything with sleeves like it.  While I can say that it is definitely a deviation from my usual style I am still somewhat undecided about it.

First of all the fit was challenging, I ended up moving the dart around and shortening the length.  I also added a snap to the center front to battle the deep gaping.  The dart turned out fair but the added snap pulls the front together in a way that the top doesn't appreciate.

Secondly I could not decide on what to pair it with.  I ended up sewing two new skirts to see if it would translate well into my work wardrobe. 


This beautiful floral skirt is Pamela's Favorite Bias Skirt made up in a vintage rayon from my stash.  This is a great little pattern.  I love a great maxi skirt and this one is loose and comfortable.  I really want to make another since they are SO easy to sew up- there's ONE pattern piece.  I am loving florals this fall and have been searching for something perfect to pair with this vintage rayon so this top definitely fits into my formula.  
  


The second skirt is Simplicity 8175 which Marica also recently made.  I have had this animal print sateen from Fabric Mart for a while and it makes a great skirt to pair with my new top.


Every now and then I like to try a pattern that is outside of my norm and although I've had some difficulty with the fit of this one I'm still happy to put it into my wardrobe rotation.  I hope your sewing is as challenging and fun as mine sometimes is and I hope that if you venture out of your normal wheel house that you'll be rewarded with a beautiful garment.

Elizabeth

Comments

  1. Love it! I noticed animal print is quite popular this season and has been showcased in a lot of stores.

    ReplyDelete
  2. hi, elizabeth! you look great in your new outfits! have you considered doing a full-bust adjustment on your blouse pattern? i think that would give you a smoother drape on the front. maybe try this with an inexpensive fabric first as a 'wearble muslin'?--anne

    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: Sheer Elegance and Everyday Comfort with my Two New Tops

Hello Sewing Friends! It’s Sharon from Sharon Sews with my last Fabricista make for 2025. While many sew a special holiday outfit at year’s end, I went in another direction sewing two tops that couldn’t be more different. One is sheer and elegant while the other is easy comfort for everyday wear.  These tops reflect how I dress at this stage of life. As an over-50 sewist, these two tops reflect how I dress at this point in my life.  Sometimes I want something a bit special, other times more basic. Either way, sewing them in beautiful fabrics, custom fit to my body, makes all the difference in how I feel when I wear them. Even though I’m quite pleased with my two tops, my original plan was to sew a jacket with the tropical print stretch twill and pair it with a top sewn from the soutache mesh knit . Sadly, I wasn’t quick enough to get enough of the stretch twill to make a jacket, so a top it was!  You do know you have to act fast when you see something you love on Fabric ...

Made By A Fabricista: Sewing for a Florida Cold Snap with Fabric Mart Fabrics

Even here in Florida, we get the occasional cold weather surprise, and when temperatures dipped recently, I was very glad to have the perfect handmade outfit ready to go. For this month’s Fabricista make, I sewed up New Look pattern 6771, using two beautiful fabrics sent to me by Fabric Mart Fabrics. The Fabric & Pattern Choice New Look 6771 is a cozy two-piece set featuring a relaxed-fit top and pull-on pants—exactly the kind of pattern that works well for transitional weather. I chose to start with the top, using a brown animal print French terry from Fabric Mart, and it turned out to be an absolute dream to work with. The French terry was soft, substantial without being heavy, and handled beautifully at the machine . It had just the right amount of structure to highlight the pattern’s design details while still feeling comfortable and wearable. From cutting to pressing, this fabric behaved perfectly and elevated the final garment. The Top: A Total Win The top from New Look 677...

Made By A Fabricista: A Wooly Wearable Blanket.

Twirling in a me-made outfit! I live in a small town where the nearest fabric shop is a road trip away, so I almost exclusively shop for fabric online. Having access to an online shop like Fabric Mart with a solid search engine is incredibly helpful. But by far my favorite aspect of Fabric Mart is what I call the “Drape Picture” included in each listing! This picture gives me all the information I need and I find it more helpful than the exact weight per yard/square meter.  Seeing how the fabric falls close or away from the body gives me a clear idea of how it will behave and inspires me to make it into something that will highlight the fabric’s nature.  When I saw the drape of this “Baked Plum” wool suiting , I immediately wanted to immortalize those beautiful folds into a skirt! I opted for a simple self-drafted pleated skirt with a deep hem. I wear my dresses year-round and rely on wool skirts that I layer under or over my dresses for warmth. I cut two panels for the front ...