Skip to main content

Made by a Fabricista: Sweater Weather!


As soon as the temperatures start to drop all I want to wear is something warm and snuggly.  I also love comfortable layers that can be dressed down or paired with a cute skirt to dress them up.  My wardrobe was just begging for a few tops that checked all these boxes, so I got to work!


I had my heart set on some new versatile and comfy sweaters and these three are a success! The first is the Grainline Linden sewed up in a really nice quality ponte.  Its sold out but there are some great choices still on the site, especially a couple of really beautiful Ralph Lauren pieces.  This sweater has been really versatile and I've worn it layered over a button down and paired with jeans.  The Grainline Linden is a super straightforward pattern and I have used it many times creating basics that I wear on repeat.  I sewed the Linden up entirely on my serger.  If you don't have a serger you can make this on a regular machine with a zig zag stitch and a stretch ballpoint needle. 



The second sweater is McCall's 7688 and its made up in a poly/lycra sweater knit.  I'm sorry to report that this is sold out as well but I would not hesitate to make this sweater in this gorgeous paisley sweater knit on the Fabric Mart site.  I tucked it into the skirt in one photo and left it out in the second so that you could get an idea of the versatility of the design and fabric.  The fabric isn't so thick that it bunches up terribly when tucked into a garment.  I sewed this top up entirely on my serger.  The sweater fabric had a tendency to unravel like you expect a sweater would so it needed all the reinforcement of a serged stitch.  For the ruffles I serge-finished the edges of the ruffles and left the stitching visible. 



The Third and final sweater is Simplicity 8988 sewn up in a super soft cotton interlock knit.  This interlock is sold out but this imperial red interlock would look perfect.  I deviated from the Simplicity instructions a bit enclosing all seams except the shoulder seams.  Its hard to see in these pictures but the exposed seams on the shoulders mimic an epaulet.  I made this top on my regular sewing machine with a zig zag stitch- so for all of you out there who think you must have a serger, not so for this fabric. 

I love all of my sweaters and have worn each multiple times already.  On the whole knit sweaters are a quick project and have a great pay off in versatility.  If you've never made one I encourage you to give it a go.

On a final note, I entered graduate school this summer and will be taking a break from blogging for a while.  Between school, internship, children, life and volunteer work I can't squeeze as much time in for sewing as I'd like so for now this is "good-bye" and "thank-you."  Who knows what life will bring after I complete my degree but maybe you'll see me around these parts in a year and a half.  I love sewing for Fabric Mart and have found them to be a fantastic business to work with so you can be reassured that I will continue making Fabric Mart purchases and squeezing in sewing projects during each and every school break.  

Peace and Joy to you and a happy sewing project too! 
Elizabeth 
On Instagram: @isewyousew

Comments

  1. We will miss you but good luck in completing your grad degree!!!

    ReplyDelete
  2. What great sweaters, Elizabeth! I really like the Simplicity 8988 done up in that cotton knit. Good luck to you in graduate school! You are one very busy lady! I'll miss seeing your posts.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you Ann! I love that Simplicity sweater and wear it often with a pair of black crepe de chine Megan Nielson Flint trousers. Thank you for the well wishes and I will still be following along with all the Fabricista posts. I always love your wardrobe compilations too!

      Delete

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: Bold Aspen Dress for Spring

 As I write this in mid-April, central New Jersey weather is showing small signs of spring. My neighbor’s daffodils are blooming and our magnolia tree is trying to unfold its vibrant magenta petals. I am in the midst of preparing my wardrobe for the warmer months, even if we are still huddling against windy 30 degree days. For me, warm weather means linen. I love breathable, floaty linen sundresses and drapey, loose linen wide-leg pants. My vision for a spring piece was something bold and bright, inspired by the natural colors of blooming flowers, but also something that could transition well between the warmer and cooler months. When I saw Fabric Godmother’s Apsen Dress, I knew that it had the sensible transitional opportunities I was looking for while also providing a blank canvas for fun prints, patterns and colors. With the pattern in mind, I then turned to the stunning linen collection that Fabric Mart always has on hand to see what colors or patterns would best suit my visio...

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: Stripes For Spring

Hi everyone!   It’s finally warming up here in southeastern Pennsylvania and I wanted to make a light, flowy dress for springtime. I snagged a vintage Laura Ashley pattern from Joanns on one of my last trips there. I somehow didn’t have anything in my pattern stash with a sweetheart neckline, so I thought it would be a good addition. The pattern calls for a giant gathered skirt, so I knew I would need something lightweight and drapey for it.  Something like a pink striped cotton fine seersucker. The fabric is light and has a really nice drape, almost like a challis . I knew it would gather beautifully. I  got to work cutting everything out, with help from my assistant. When I say the skirt is massive I mean it.  I ran into an issue right away where my fabric isn't wide enough to cut the back panel without opening the fabric out. And my three yards of fabric wasn’t enough to cut two back panels. I ran into this issue last year when making my pinafore dress . In ...