Made By A Fabricista: Expanding A Wardrobe with Mix and Match Pieces

As I was packing away my winter wardrobe to make room for my warm weather attire, I reflected on what I had sewn over the past year. I realized I had many colorful garments with unique details but was lacking solid color pieces that could be worn with multiple things.

That’s why I choose three coordinating solid colors to use for my spring Fabricista make. Let me tell you, it was hard to pass by those beautiful prints that fill the pages of Fabric Mart’s site.

I decided to sew three pieces – a knit top, a pair of pants, and a layering piece. That way I could mix and match with other items I already own, getting a lot more wear out of them.

I started with the gray knit. It’s a rayon blend, somewhat lightweight, with a nice drape. I had ordered it for my previous make (see my “Comfort Dressing with Style" blog post) but ended up not using it for that project.

I had one yard which was all I needed to sew myself a basic tee. I used the Cashmerette Concord T-shirt pattern (love that pattern!) and added the square neckline option from the Cashmerette Carlyle T-shirt. Square necklines are having a moment right now!

At this point it would have been really easy to choose black and white as my coordinating colors. After all they work with the gray, as well as so many things I already own.

Instead, I choose pink as my next color. For me spring and pink just go together. I saw this baby pink cotton/polyester twill and knew I had found my fabric for a pair of wide leg pants.

My original plan was to sew the True Bias Lander Pants, but I forgot to order the pattern when I ordered my fabric. Instead, I used the pants #120 pattern from the August 2019 issue of BurdaStyle magazine. They had the slightly cropped, wide leg look I was going for, with the added bonus of big patch pockets!

The fabric has a tiny bit of lycra, which makes these pants even more comfortable! This color pink will work so well throughout the spring and summer months.

Now I had to decide on my layering piece. Should I use a knit and make a cardigan? After all, Fabric Mart always has a huge selection of knits. Maybe I should sew a shacket (a shirt and jacket combination). Because Fabric Mart always has a huge selection of wovens. As you can see, I went with the shacket.

I choose a 100% cotton fine twill designer fabric in a polar bear white. I used the Style Arc Logan Shacket, which is my favorite shacket pattern, topstitching the seams in a contrasting color. It turned out nice, but it just didn’t have enough “extra” for me.

I pulled out my stack of vintage lace and doilies that I had picked up at an estate sale a few years ago and began playing. I placed pieces on the shacket until I was happy with the look, then stitched everything in place. I like asymmetrical designs which is why I choose different trims on each pocket, and only added lace to part of the hem.

On the back yoke I stitched two pieces of lace just to add a little interest.

I even used vintage buttons from my stash. I don’t recall where I found these, but I love that the previous owner had written on the button card.

It’s a versatile layering piece and by keeping the trim tone-on-tone it remains a neutral in my wardrobe.

While many think of shackets for cooler weather, they work great as weather begins to warm. I can throw it on over my tee-shirt, as shown, or pair it with a tank top and Bermuda shorts, or even with a simple knit dress.

I am quite pleased with the versatility of these three pieces and know each will be worn often.

Until next time, Happy Sewing!

SHARON | @thesharonsews