Skip to main content

Made By A Fabricista: Stepping Into Summer in Pretty Crepe

Image
By

Hi Guys! Summer is here! Yes, it’s been 80 degrees in Florida all week and we’ve been to the pool. We usually cook out for Memorial Day and go to the pool to open the official summer season and the weather was perfect for it. When I started thinking about this post, I thought, summertime. I wanted to select a great fabric and a summer dress to go with it and I think I might have found the perfect combination.

I selected to make McCall’s M8507. This pattern is described as an easy to sew dress with a ruched bodice, elastic neckline and waist with different sleeve lengths and sleeve variations. I made a combination of View B and View A.  Based on my body measurements, I made a size 22.  I selected to make the longer sleeves with the elastic at the hem and I made the shorter version. I only made 1 modification to the dress. After I finished the bodice, I realized this dress had a very deep V neck. I don’t mind showing a little cleavage, but this was a bit much and my bra was showing.  I decided to hand sew the cleavage closed a little.  I love the way it came out.

As with any fabric that I end up loving, as soon as I saw it, I knew I have it.  I selected this dark green and white large grid floral bubble crepe fabric.  This fabric is so soft and really nice to sew with.  This is a thin fabric, but it’s not slippery or hard to handle and sews up perfectly. It has a great drape and is perfect for these long summer days. I’m going on a cruise soon and I can’t wait to wear it as we set sail in the Caribbean!



I usually try to include some sort of sewing trick or tutorial in my blog posts, and I have a quick and effective tip for you this time. I learned this a very long time ago and I use it every single time I sew.  I know there are some of you out there that will just wing a hem and sew it up without measuring a thing and just eye balling it.  The way my brain works, I can’t do that. It is also a pain to measure and press a hem with a seam gauge.  What I do is, sew a basting stitch using the designated seam allowance.  I then press it and sew.  Once I’m done, I remove the basting stitch and I end up with a perfect hem every single time. You’re welcome!



Have I shared my DIY Birkenstocks with you all yet? I don’t recall. At any rate, I made my shoes! I believe I made these last summer with a kit I purchased from my friend Jaimie from www.creationsbyjaimie.com.  The kit comes with everything you need to make these shoes, except the leather. You can find pieces of leather or suede online for a very inexpensive price.  I love these shoes and wear then whenever I can. Of course, I make sure to tell people I made then.

If you want a flowly fabric for your summertime makes, then I would suggest you pick up some crepe fabric from Fabric Mart. Unfortunately, this print is sold out.  I wish I had gotten more because I am absolutely smitten with this fabric.

Until next time!

JOHANNA | @soveryjo







Comments

  1. AnonymousJune 5, 2025 at 11:22 AM

    Love it!!!

    ReplyDelete
  2. AnonymousJune 26, 2025 at 11:29 AM

    You look beautiful in your perfectly fitting dress 🙂

    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: Sheer Elegance and Everyday Comfort with my Two New Tops

By
Hello Sewing Friends! It’s Sharon from Sharon Sews with my last Fabricista make for 2025. While many sew a special holiday outfit at year’s end, I went in another direction sewing two tops that couldn’t be more different. One is sheer and elegant while the other is easy comfort for everyday wear.  These tops reflect how I dress at this stage of life. As an over-50 sewist, these two tops reflect how I dress at this point in my life.  Sometimes I want something a bit special, other times more basic. Either way, sewing them in beautiful fabrics, custom fit to my body, makes all the difference in how I feel when I wear them. Even though I’m quite pleased with my two tops, my original plan was to sew a jacket with the tropical print stretch twill and pair it with a top sewn from the soutache mesh knit . Sadly, I wasn’t quick enough to get enough of the stretch twill to make a jacket, so a top it was!  You do know you have to act fast when you see something you love on Fabric ...
5 comments
Continue Reading »

Made By A Fabricista: Sewing for a Florida Cold Snap with Fabric Mart Fabrics

By
Even here in Florida, we get the occasional cold weather surprise, and when temperatures dipped recently, I was very glad to have the perfect handmade outfit ready to go. For this month’s Fabricista make, I sewed up New Look pattern 6771, using two beautiful fabrics sent to me by Fabric Mart Fabrics. The Fabric & Pattern Choice New Look 6771 is a cozy two-piece set featuring a relaxed-fit top and pull-on pants—exactly the kind of pattern that works well for transitional weather. I chose to start with the top, using a brown animal print French terry from Fabric Mart, and it turned out to be an absolute dream to work with. The French terry was soft, substantial without being heavy, and handled beautifully at the machine . It had just the right amount of structure to highlight the pattern’s design details while still feeling comfortable and wearable. From cutting to pressing, this fabric behaved perfectly and elevated the final garment. The Top: A Total Win The top from New Look 677...
3 comments
Continue Reading »

Made By A Fabricista: A Wooly Wearable Blanket.

By
Twirling in a me-made outfit! I live in a small town where the nearest fabric shop is a road trip away, so I almost exclusively shop for fabric online. Having access to an online shop like Fabric Mart with a solid search engine is incredibly helpful. But by far my favorite aspect of Fabric Mart is what I call the “Drape Picture” included in each listing! This picture gives me all the information I need and I find it more helpful than the exact weight per yard/square meter.  Seeing how the fabric falls close or away from the body gives me a clear idea of how it will behave and inspires me to make it into something that will highlight the fabric’s nature.  When I saw the drape of this “Baked Plum” wool suiting , I immediately wanted to immortalize those beautiful folds into a skirt! I opted for a simple self-drafted pleated skirt with a deep hem. I wear my dresses year-round and rely on wool skirts that I layer under or over my dresses for warmth. I cut two panels for the front ...
11 comments
Continue Reading »