Fabricista Guest Post: Rayon Challis and Wrap Dresses are Two of my Favorite Things to Sew!

Hello sewing friends! I am so excited to be a guest Fabricista for Fabric Mart today. I participated in the #fmwrapdresssewalong Instagram challenge Fabric Mart had in May 2023 and was randomly selected as a winner. The sew along with Julie was so much fun that I inquired about being a Fabricista. My name is Patricia, I am a nurse, I just became a doctor last year, been married for 24 years and a mother of two! I have been sewing since I was a child. My Instagram is @Hoppaheedahoe

I selected a colorful animal print rayon challis voile to make the Cashmerette Roseclair dress, view A with long, flowy tiers. Wrap dresses can be a challenge to fit so I was happy to see that Cashmerette offers a fit calculator on their website to aid in selecting a size. I entered my measurements and made the size they recommended without any further modifications. I also compared the bodice pieces to other wrap dress patterns that I know fit me well. They matched up, so I went with Cashmerette’s suggested size. I am really pleased with the result! Plus, I added pockets!

Rayon Challis is my favorite fabric, but it is slippery to cut. The Roseclair dress bodice, sleeves and ties are cut from one layer of fabric and the tiers are cut on the fold. I made sure to use pattern weights, pins, a cutting mat, a rotary cutter and a ruler to make sure my pieces were cut on grain and precisely. I took my time and labeled each piece on the back with tape so the tiers didn’t get mixed up.

To keep the tiers cut straight, pins, a ruler and cutting mat made sure the fabric didn’t shift between cutting out each tier.

I made these pattern weights from rocks, scrap fabric and Mod-podge. They work great and are a fun way to use up your scraps. (I love a good scrap fabric project!)

How do you choose a thread color? This fabric is so colorful with dark and light colors that I chose pink to make it a little more fun. I like to use thread as a design aspect and the colorful palate of this fabric was a great opportunity to select a color that would stand out.

My favorite part of the Roseclair dress are the sleeves! The gathers, the ¾ length and the cuff at the end are beautiful and stylish.

The pattern directions were clear and easy to follow. There are so many tiers that I was happy that I labeled each one. Gathering and biased binding is used a lot in this pattern, but these are two of my favorite techniques, so it was a fun sew.

I love my Roseclair Dress in this buttery soft rayon challis voile fabric. I am already planning another in view B!

Thank you again to Fabric Mart for allowing me to be a guest Fabricista today!

Thank you for reading my guest post. Please leave a message and tell me: Do you also love to sew Rayon Challis and Wrap Dresses? What are your Favorite Things to Sew?

Happy Sewing,

Patricia | @Hoppaheedahoe

Unfortunately Fabric Mart Fabrics sell out quickly!
You can find similar fabrics by shopping the following categories: CHALLIS.
You can shop our selection of Cashmerette patterns HERE.

Made by a Fabricista: The Bernadette

Hello friends, My Latest Fabricista Make: Friday pattern Co Bernadette Skirt x Midnight Navy Cotton/Lycra Sateen Stretch Denim Hi everyone, this is Byrd with my latest Fabricista make! When I saw Fabric Mart’s Muted Midnight Navy Cotton/Lycra Sateen Stretch Denim , I knew it would be perfect for my next project. The color is rich and versatile—a deep navy that works as a neutral but still has presence. The stretch denim has just the right balance: structure with a bit of give, making it great for a garment that needs both shape and comfort. It’s an ideal fabric for fall transitions, but it’s sturdy enough to carry straight into winter with tights and boots. For the pattern, I chose the Bernadette Skirt by Friday Pattern Company . This is one of their newer designs, and I knew immediately I wanted to sew it up. It’s a modern skirt that blends structure and style, with darts in the back and pleats in the front for a flattering fit. One of my favorite features is the belt, and of co...

Made By A Fabricista: Falling for Knits

We are now well into Fall, even though the temps are still relatively warm here in Texas. I love the fall season and dressing for Fall. When it comes to the conversation of knits vs. wovens I typically sew mostly wovens. So for this post I decided to sew completely knits! With the holiday season right around the corner I saw these three dress styles as perfect for Friendsgiving/Thanksgiving gatherings. The first look is a tried and true pattern Simplicity S9372. Using this gorgeous burgundy ponte knit , I like how this pattern fits throughout. I chose this color to add to my typically neutral palette in my closet. I also wanted something I could wear to my sorority meetings and found this color perfect. It's an easy sew with back fisheye darts and invisible zipper to add to the tapered style. The neckline and armholes are finished with bias binding giving it a clean finish on the inside. I used a universal needle to sew a...

Made By A Fabricista: The Art of the Slow Make: My La Forme Double-Breasted Jacket

I started this project back in July — one of those mid-summer sewing plans meant to get me ahead for fall. My idea was simple: start my wardrobe a season (or two) early so that when cooler weather came, I’d already have a few handmade pieces ready to wear. That was the plan, anyway. But as sewing often reminds us, plans evolve. This jacket, made using La Forme pattern No. 0303, is a double-breasted design with peak lapels and an exaggerated hip detail that gives it such a striking silhouette. I fell in love with the structure of the pattern right away — it has that timeless, tailored feel I can never resist — but it also asked for patience. I picked it up and put it down several times over the months, letting it rest while I worked on other projects, until finally, the timing felt right to bring it to life. And now, here we are — the leaves are turning, there’s a chill in the air, and some parts of the country are even seeing snow. My summer-started jacket is finally finished, and it c...

Fabric Mart Fabricistas

Search This Blog