Skip to main content

Made by a Fabricista: All White Look - Le Diner en Blanc Jamaica

Happy Friday!

With bubbling excitement, I'm returning to blogging after a much-needed break. The past few months have been a struggle to create new pieces, and I'm now finding my way back to sewing and sharing my creations on social media. The news of Le Diner en Blanc Jamaica was like a spark of joy, igniting my passion for sewing and blogging. This all-white outdoor event, shrouded in secrecy until the last moment, is a global phenomenon, and it's been four years since it graced Jamaica.  

Attending Le Diner en Blanc is like entering a glamorous, secret garden dinner party. Picture yourself dressed elegantly in all white, surrounded by a diverse group of people enjoying a magical evening under the stars. 

The atmosphere at the secret location, Dunn’s River Falls, Ochi Rios, Jamaica, was lively yet sophisticated. The tables at the event had beautiful decorations, delicious picnic food, and wine. This unique blend of elegance, community, and culinary delight made it an unforgettable experience.

When I stumbled upon this ponte knit fabric, I knew it was the perfect choice for my Le Diner En Blanc white affair.  I had saved a couple of photos in a Pinterest folder, but considering Jamaica's climate this time of year, comfort took precedence over style in my decision-making process.

Since the event was outdoors, I wanted a breathable fabric that moved freely. Ponte knit fabric is ideal, and I knew I wanted to use it for the pants set I wanted to make. I could upcycle (dye) it if needed, as I knew it was prone to being stained from the event.

For my outfit, I settled on a one-sleeve top pattern by Shakti Patterns and my all-time favorite palazzo pants pattern, Simplicity 8605. 

The simplicity of the look was a perfect match for the event's ambiance, and I could dance the night away in comfort, feeling stylish and confident. I did not get a chance to take as many photos as I wanted to at the event, as I embraced and indulged in the moment.   

Sitting at a long table with 40+ strangers, all there to have a great time, brought me immense joy. I conversed with locals and even a few Jamaicans living in the US who had just come for the event. We savored every moment of the night, from the entertainment to the culture, the music, and the people. This getaway was exactly what I needed to propel me to the finish line for the end of the 2023-2024 school year.

In closing, I am learning to embrace and enjoy every moment of this journey called life. As always, thanks for your support over the years. I am less than 20 days away from summer break and excited to tackle a few new sewing skills over the summer.  I plan to share more on my Instagram page and blog.


Have you ever been to Le Diner en Blanc? I would love to hear your experience.

One Love,

MARICA  @heymaricamitchell

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

Comments

Recent Posts You Might Like

Made by a Fabricista: What to Make with Silk Taffeta

You may have noticed that Fabric Mart has a *HUGE* selection of silk taffeta right now.  A lot of it is either large plaid or large stripes.   I was curious about it, and not really sure what I could make with it, but I just knew it would be gorgeous fabric and had to play around with it.  Turns out, it's actually great for quite a range of projects!  The dress above is my third project. Let me show you the first two. My first was to make some queen size pillow shams.  They are the plaid ones in the back of the photo.  I also made the two printed ones in the center from another Fabric Mart home dec fabric special!  I wanted to make the covers removable with a zipper, and include a braided trim.  As luck would have it, I found a whole card of braided trim at an estate sale that worked with my taffeta for just $2! To start, I used a zipper foot to stitch down the braided trim all around one side of the pillow. Then I serged ...

Made By A Fabricista: Mechanic Chic!

When it comes to buying ready-to-wear garments as a sewist, I only ever spend in three categories: heavy duty winter jackets (life in Maine!), bras… and jumpsuits! I love a good jumpsuit, but unfortunately the ones I used to buy have been impacted by the tariff situation and I can’t get them affordably anymore. This can only mean one thing, folks: it’s time to roll up my sleeves and sew my very first jumpsuit!  When I started planning for this project, I knew I wanted to use a heavyweight linen for cozy comfort in the fall and breathability in the summer. I wanted something that would wear beautifully and soften with age, and something with neutral tones that could go with everything. Naturally, when I came across this 100% linen canvas on Fabric Mart, my heart skipped a beat! I love the ikat-inspired geometry and something about it reminds me of leopard spots too. Bold yet wearable! I am pretty sure this fabric was intended for home decor which I don’t mind at all and in fact of...

Made By A Fabricista: Tried and true summer basics that fit.

Happy Summer Friends! As I am writing this, we are headed into a nasty heat wave…so the timing could not be better to share two of my favorite summer patterns and fabrics.  But first, let me tell you about the fail I had heading into this month’s blog… As Fabricista’s, we get to pick out fabric for each of our blog submissions. I fell in love with this gorgeous lilac jacquard knit that I thought would be perfect for a pop of color in my summer wardrobe. But I made a fatal error - I grabbed a pattern I haven’t made for years, quickly went up one size to account for a few new pounds, and sewed them up. And they don’t fit, will NEVER fit, and will never be worn. Sigh…when will I learn?? Here’s a flat lay pic so we can at least look at the lovely fabric: The lesson I learned (relearned!) is that just like with off the rack clothes, the things that worked well for me years ago don’t work well for me today.  And that’s the case with both tops and bottoms. So I went back to two patt...

Made By A Fabricista: Burnside Bibs

Hi everyone, this is Byrd with my latest Fabricista make! If you’re looking for the perfect handmade piece for spring and summer travel, these just might be it. This time around I’m sewing up the Burnside Bibs by Sew House Seven using Fabric Mart’s gorgeous Aquamarine/Umber Brown 100% Cotton Floral Artisan Batiks Jungle Dreams by Robert Kaufman. From the moment I saw this fabric, I was completely drawn in by the colors. The combination of aquamarine, brown, and cream feels both earthy and vibrant, making it perfect for warm weather sewing. I immediately knew it would make an incredible spring or summer garment. I’m a longtime fan of Robert Kaufman fabrics and always appreciate the quality and artistry behind the prints. As always, and especially because this is 100% cotton, I gave the fabric a thorough wash and dry before cutting into it. Trust me, I’ve learned the hard way over the years that addressing potential shrinkage before sewing is always worth the extra time. This blouse is...