Made By A Fabricista: Cozy & Chic for the Holidays

Christmas is my favorite time of year. I love all things sparkly, glitzy, shiny and colorful – the lights, the fabrics, the décor, the gift wrap! These things together all make sewing around the holidays my favorite.

We don’t have any Christmas plans this year, which is a blessing and a curse. We’re excited to spend some time home together, but we also love to travel so we might get a little stir crazy in the house without anything on the books. 

Knowing that we would be lounging at home for most of the holidays, I decided to use my December post to make two looks – one that I can take day to night and one for going out.

While scrolling socials one day, I came across this ad for a boutique clothing store with a pair of sequin joggers and a velvet blazer. I loved the casual but glam feel of it, so I decided to recreate my own pair using the Hudson Joggers from True Bias. I found this great velvet backed, sequin knit fabric from Fabric Mart and got to work!

 

I wanted my layer to be a true matching set so instead of a full velvet jacket, I used the rest of my sequin knit to make a Harper Cardigan from Sinclair Patterns. This one I know I can layer and style a ton of different ways!

While I love this set for lounging with a cup of coffee in front of the fireplace in my favorite leopard slippers, I also love that I can dress it up as well. With a quick shoe change I can easily take this out for happy hour or a late-night dinner with my partner – and not have to spend much time getting ready, which I know he will also appreciate! 

I used a black velvet knit also from Fabric Mart that I had in my fabric cabinet for contrasting cuffs and bands on both my cardigan and joggers. The velvet really gives it a luxe feel and pairs perfectly with the sequin knit since it is also velvet backed. The velvet backing is a low pile and very subtle, and the sequins on top are also scattered in a weaved pattern so it looks jam packed with sparkle from afar, but closer up you can see the great detail in the fabric! 

My second make is also a swirly, colorful and sparkly sequin knit. This color of this fabric in person is so rich and vibrant, the photos don’t do it justice! I saw this and knew it wanted to be an overcoat with some drama, so I dug in my stash and found a Mimi G by Simplicity pattern that was perfect. 

This jacket has cropped sleeve with elastic to give it a ruched look, as well as elastic in the waist across the back for a little shape. There are two closures on the garment as well that you could snap to make it a dress. I much prefer the look of it as an open jacket though, since I find this fabric a little too heavy to drape quite right for a dress.

I had a ton of fun photographing this jacket! I am off to see Hamilton live on Broadway in NYC this weekend and I am absolutely packing this showstopper piece! It feels like the perfect jacket to wear while strolling around Rockefeller Center with all of the holiday glitz around the city. Although, a warmer pair of shoes is a must so I don’t freeze my toes off! Plus – I commend all the brave New York folks who wear open toed shoes or sandals in NYC. I’m a city girl through and through, but these toes will not be graced with all that comes with NYC streets! 

I know working with sequins can be intimidating (and not to mention SO messy!), but if you have some patience and take it slow, you’ll end up with some amazing pieces! Typically when working with a sequin fabric (think full sequin fabric, no gaps!) or a thicker, larger sequins, you’re going to want to take the time to pick the sequins out of the seam allowance. I know I know, it is so time consuming! I promise it will make your life so much easier when you get to the sewing part. Also keep your vacuum nearby and make sure you clean up before you get up and walk around the house – it might seem like you stepped over the sequin pile, but I promise you’ll be finding them around the house for weeks afterwards! I also recommend not using your fabric scissors, as they will dull quickly!  

For these two fabrics that aren’t as sequin dense, I actually did not pick out the sequins in the seam allowance and I sewed them up as is. My machine was able to handle it and I checked it often to make sure there was no sequins falling off into the machine where it shouldn’t be. I would check the ability of your machine and your comfort level working with these fabrics before proceeding to make sure nothing goes awry with your machine!

Thanks for coming along for my glam holiday sew, hope you are feeling inspired and excited for your new sew. Happy sewing & Happy Holidays (or Happy December!) to you and yours!

CHELSEA | @thatssewchelsea

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Unfortunately Fabric Mart Fabrics sell out quickly!
You can find similar fabrics by shopping the following categories: KNITS, SEQUINS & SPARKLES.
You can also shop our selection of True Bias patterns HERE.