Skip to main content

Made By A Fabricista: Liberty Snow Day

Image
By

Hi everyone!

While we’ve been blanketed with snow out here in Southeastern PA, I decided to conquer my fear of button holes and make NewLook pattern N6749. I was able to snag a few yards of the Jess + Jean print Liberty of London Tana Lawn for it.

It’s always exciting when Fabric Mart is able to get Liberty fabrics in! I always make sure to grab some.  Cutting into a beautiful piece of tana lawn is scary every time. The fabric is such good quality, I’m afraid to mess it up! I had to be extra careful as this is also the first directional pattern I’ve worked with. But one of my assistants made sure all of my pieces were laid correctly.

Something I wanted to try out with this dress was finishing the inside seams using the overlock stitch on my domestic machine. Normally I would french seam, but it was nice to not have to worry about cutting seam allowance in half, sewing, trimming, flipping, and sewing again. Next time I would cut the seam allowance back before overlocking, but I think the inside still looks nice and neat! 


I wasn't completely sure how to finish off the gathered waist edge in this method. I thought about binding it off but overlocked it carefully in the end. I’ll keep an eye on this seam after washing.

I picked up a Simflex Sewing Gauge to help space out my buttons and button holes. My fist sewing machine had a button hole foot, but did such a terrible job at making the button holes that I’ve avoided them for the last couple years. But after making a few test button holes on some scraps of the tana lawn, this machine doesn't seem to have those issues! No more avoiding button holes for me!

I definitely have some fit issues in the bust, but it’s perfect in the waist.  Might 2025 be the year I learn to do bust adjustments? Stay tuned!


Lastly, I’m in the market for a serger! I’ve never had one and only used a serger twice before. I’m looking for something I can have for a good couple years but won’t break the bank and that doesn’t require a physics PhD to thread and operate. If anyone has any suggestions please leave them below!  Thank you!

KAYLA  | @nebulanovem

Comments

  1. AnonymousJanuary 24, 2025 at 9:00 AM

    Very pretty! Spring is coming closer every day and you are ready with this lovely dress! I am also a little afraid to cut into Liberty fabric - I have one piece and am carefully evaluating what to do with it :)

    ReplyDelete
  2. Kathy BanfieldJanuary 24, 2025 at 10:04 AM

    It looks perfect! I don't see a problem in the bust are, but you can do what I do ...choose a different bra! It can really make a difference.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. KaylaJanuary 24, 2025 at 11:11 AM

      I'm glad it doesn't show! I'm standing with my shoulders all the way back. If I stand normally or slouched at all the front moves away from my body. I'll definitely have to see if any of my other bras help, that's good advice! Might have to just tape that sucker down though, haha!

      Delete
  3. RJanuary 24, 2025 at 5:08 PM

    The Brother 1034DX is a great machine, very reliable, and available at Big Box stores everywhere at a terrific price. It is four thread and has a free arm feature. Super simple to thread too, and all of the stitches will you need for your projects.

    Your dress is beautiful! Thank you for picturing your button/buttonhole guide. I forgot I have one until I saw yours. Now where did I put it?…

    ReplyDelete
  4. AnonymousJanuary 24, 2025 at 8:22 PM

    I love my Imagine serger from BabyLock ! The jet-air threading system makes it so easy to use !

    ReplyDelete
  5. AnonymousJanuary 25, 2025 at 7:23 AM

    I had a top of the line Bernina Serger that converted to a coverstitch as well. It was in the shop and I needed a serger right away for a job I was doing so I bought a Juki serger under 500.00 dollars to have as my back up. The Juki serger is amazing! I have had it for several years and I love it. I sold the Bernina and bought a stand alone coverstitch machine. Haven't regretted it once. It's easy to clean and always forms great stitches. Cannot recommend any more highly.

    ReplyDelete
  6. AnonymousFebruary 7, 2025 at 6:50 PM

    What a beautiful dress and it fits you so well.

    ReplyDelete
  7. AnonymousFebruary 14, 2025 at 11:02 AM

    I have a Bernina. My original serger was an old, used, Pfaff which was difficult to use. I recommend going into shops and test driving to see what you like best. Modern sergers are easier to use than the old models from the 70's and 80's that I started on. If you buy from a good store, classes are included, and this can be well worth the extra money.

    ReplyDelete

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: Sewing Summery ITY

By
Hi sewing friends! I’m dropping in to share a few makes sewn with ITY fabrics and inspire you to try out this slinky, cool-to-the-touch fabric for hot weather if you haven’t yet, or to recommend some patterns that work fabulously if you already love it. This is by far my favorite knit to wear in summer. Since it moves easily there’s lots of airflow, and it just skims the body. More often than not, it has a four-way stretch that doesn’t grow when worn, so it works great for loads of styles.  ITY stands for Interlock Twist Yarn and the knit gives it some wonderful drape and stretch. There are lots of different weights and even some differing textures. Because it’s so fluid, the fabric really resists most wrinkling. I’ve sewn three different weights and prints here to show off just what ITY can do!  This white floral is a lighter weight and features a slightly crepe-textured finish, and I think that combined with the large and spread-out floral makes it quite elegant and eye-cat...
6 comments
Continue Reading »

Made By A Fabricista: Effortless ITY

By
Clothing made from  ITY  (Interlock Twist Yarn) fabric is effortless, almost like wearing secret pajamas. It is silky and cool to the touch, with a beautiful drape and amazing stretch. ITY fabric is incredibly versatile, and some of the best dresses, skirts, and athletic wear I’ve owned are made from it. Thanks to Fabric Mart’s recent influx of unique ITY fabrics, I was inspired to add some additional ITY items to my wardrobe.  I found two beautiful ITY fabrics on the Fabric Mart site that stopped me in my tracks. The first fabric I loved was a funky off-white and multi-color flora and fauna print from a New York Designer. I ordered two yards of this print with a top in mind. Next, I saw a beautiful  ITY fabric panel  featuring off-white and blue floral print. I’m usually hesitant to buy fabric panels without a plan of how to use them, but I threw caution to the wind this time. I ordered 5 panels, hoping that would give me more than enough fabric to showcase the...
8 comments
Continue Reading »

Made By A Fabricista: Matching Sets Are Always a Win for Me

By
I think I might have a problem.  I’m obsessed with a good matching set. Matching Sets can be considered as a coordinated chic look. A perfectly paired top and bottom that creates a seamless, stylish look with minimal effort. I think that’s exactly what I did.  Usually when I’m looking for fabric, I try to have something in mind of what I’m going to make with it. Well, I’m here to report that I totally forgot what pattern I was going to use for this beautiful fabric. I believe I had a dress in mind, but I couldn’t remember the pattern for the life of me.  The fabric I chose is called Indian red dandelion soft lavender flower poplin shirting .  I’ve used poplin from Fabric Mart several times and it’s always a win for me. I went through several different patterns for the top, until I landed on the Sara Top from Fibre Mood. I’ve had this top in my stash for so many years, and I thought it would be great for this fabric. This pattern is basically 2 rectangles with a chann...
2 comments
Continue Reading »