Made By A Fabricista: Back to Campus Fall Capsule

Hello, hello! I trust this lovely change of seasons is treating you all well. This is my very favorite time of year; the cooling breezes, hunting down all the back to school supplies like treasure, and I have a newfound energy and motivation to work on projects. This year I’m extra busy with my own college classes, eek!, so I wanted to create a few pieces that would serve me well whether I’m running around on campus, out in a classroom for fieldwork, or cozying up to study and write.

Once I laid eyes on the Dark Silver/Black/Charcoal Animal Print ITY, I knew that was my main fabric! I have somewhat desperately hunted for a gray or cool-toned animal print in ITY for a good while. This is just the thing for a pair of slouchy, slinky pants and will fill a void in my closet.

I started this mini collection with the Pattern Emporium Pleats to Meet You Pants. They are designed for thinner drapey knits, and they feel amazing to wear. They have double front pleats and rear darts for lots of lovely shaping. And pockets! Every time I wear this design, I feel particularly cool and stylish, and the animal print just adds to the overall panache. Let me say this: going back to school is really hard, and anything that boosts my confidence gets a big thumbs up from me.

When all was said and done, I had a good-sized piece of the ITY leftover, and I was able to sew a tried-and-true pattern I adore, the Pattern Emporium Unwind Jumper. This is a grown-on sleeved top with cuffs and a waistband. I sewed the hip length version, which is perfect with these matching PTMY pants, but I know this will look marvelous with jeans or a skirt. This top is so light and thin, it will be easy to pop on a cardi or sweater and not have to manage any bulk underneath.

Next up is an utterly autumn-perfect tee, the Classic Tee from Love Notions. There are four sleeve lengths included in the pattern, and I chose the ¾ sleeves plus the scoop neckline. This Heathered Pewter Gray Jersey triblend is a particularly soft knit, with mostly horizontal stretch and really liquidy drape. It’s sheer in the light, but opaque when worn. You can see that the slightly fuzzy texture does really like to stick to undergarments. On the upside, this fabric shows off topstitching beautifully.

Of course I need a layering piece! Once I found the Sea Blue/White Stylized Stripe Jacquard Double Knit I knew this was the winner. You could absolutely sew with either side right side out, but I’m here for the main solid blue since bright white really washes me out. (Now it will just serve as a pretty flash when the cardi swooshes around.)

This fabric is thick and feels really stretchy and comfortable, absolutely perfect as a sweater. I sewed Pattern Emporium’s My Embrace Draped Cardi. I chose the tunic length paired with the outwear long sleeves (these are widened for easier layering). This cardi is actually cut opposite the grain to be able to fit across the width, so four-way stretch is necessary. For fun, I cut the sleeves on the grain for a little stripe-direction interest.

I’ve specifically wanted to sew a linen/rayon blend into the Twig and Tale Scenic Top for a casual scholarly shirt. This Slate Blue Shirting is perfection! A little softer and more pliable than straight linen due to the addition of rayon fibers, but still casual and creasy, and a perfect neutral blue, this is one of my absolute favorite fabrics to wear. This is a straightforward woven top with great drafting, in my opinion. I raised the neckline an inch for a touch more coverage and I used the wider long sleeves from the add-on sleeve pack so that I can easily roll them up. I can’t resist a rolled sleeve, and this fabric is a great choice for that since both sides appear the same. And not bad on the sweater color matching aspect, either!

Thanks for following along with my latest blue and gray projects, I always have a blast sewing and sharing my ideas.

Happy sewing!

Unfortunately Fabric Mart Fabrics sell out quickly!
You can find similar fabrics by shopping the following categories KNITS, ITY KNITS, DOUBLE KNITS, JERSEY KNITS, & SHIRTING.