Made By A Fabricista: Gingham Style Summer

Gingham hasn't always been my favorite fabric print, but this purple gingham print shirting from Fabric Mart is definitely shifting my thoughts on Gingham this summer. I added a woven linen contrast, also from Fabric Mart, in the color Spring bud to contrast with the purple gingham. The whole look is given me Modern Disney princess vibes.

This gingham is a lightweight, woven, shirting fabric. It's cool, crisp, and breathable. All the features you want in a summer fabric. However, this is not your basic gingham. There is a slight metallic pinstripe that runs through this gingham pattern that is a pleasant surprise and elevates the print a bit.

I also chose to use a contrasting fabric in this project for a little fun. I love a great color combo, so I couldn't resist. Lime green and purple has always been a vibe, so this linen in Spring Bud is a suitable addition to the make.

This combo left me with so many options, and I was torn on whether to create a two-piece set or a dress. After weighing in with my IG fam, the majority suggested a two-piece. I couldn't resist a bustier look and have seen a couple of gingham bustier that inspired the look.

My go-to bustier pattern is Daria Rose Cafe Bustier. I love the fit, and I've used this pattern several times in so many different ways. Whenever using gingham or check fabrics, you want to make sure you line your fabric prints up so that the pattern matches. This may involve grabbing an extra yard of fabric to line it up. This bustier has boning and underwire for extra support and a zipper back.

I added neck straps for a little something different.

I created a pleated skirt to pair with the bustier using Vogue pattern 1893. I usually don't reach for pleated skirts, but this one, for some reason, was a must. I like the large pleats and the hi-lo silhouette of this pattern. I did alter the pleats a bit and created my own spacing that was a little impromptu. This I feel created a bit more fullness. I used the linen to line the skirt and pleated it in the same way before adding the waist band.

The best thing about this look it the many ways you can wear the bustier and mix it up. The straps can be worn around the front for a more edgy look. Creating detachable elastic hem puff sleeves also offers several options. These can be worn up over the should or off the shoulder.

The detachable sleeves were a last-minute addition that I drafted using my own arm measurements. I created them 20 inches wide for ample fullness and included a 2-inch ruffle at the hem.

This was the perfect fabric for this project and came together smoothly with a standard woven needle and mettler thread metrosene thread. I can't wait to add these pieces to my current wardrobe and style them with other makes.

Until next time,

MARCIA | @keechiibstyle

Unfortunately Fabric Mart Fabrics sell out quickly!
You can find similar fabrics by shopping the following categories: SHIRTING & LINEN.

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