Made by a Fabricista: Spring Sewing with Fabricista Diane
I'm so happy to be back this month on the Fabric Mart blog with my first spring projects, simple and lightweight black pants and a flowy and sophisticated print top.
Inspiration for sewing comes from everywhere and I'm thrilled (like everyone else) that I no longer have to organize stacks of torn out pages from catalogs and magazines but now can save anything that inspires me to my "I Wanna Make This" board on Pinterest, no papers, no mess. And this outfit today is inspired by one of those pins.
The top is McCall's 7093, a brand new tunic pattern with different color block variations. I made View A (without the slits) in this geometric viscose print from Fabric Mart.
The top is a quick and easy sew and the only changes I made were omitting the slits in the front, taking in the sides 1/2", and adding black bias trim to the neck. I used the wrong side of a black silk charmeuse I had in my stash. It can be tricky to get bias trim to be even and I've found that if I ditch the pattern piece and make a free cut, I can have even binding. Here's how I do it:
- Cut strips of bias at least 1" longer and 1" wider than the neckline pattern piece.
- Fold fabric in half lengthwise and press.
- Using a ruler and rotary cutter. Cut the folded bias strip down to the desired width (see photo).
- Cut bias same length as the pattern piece and add markings.
Yay! Even bias strips = Even neckline trim.
The pants are from one of my "Tried and True" (TNT) patterns, Simplicity 1696. Now, of all of my TNT pattern types, a pant pattern is most cherished. A good fitting pair of pants is really hard to come by.
I've made these pants many times before, all with different variations, and this time I used this lightweight cotton twill from Fabric Mart , deleted the slash pocket and added 4" to the length. I ended up with a classic pair of pants that fill a gaping hole in my wardrobe.
Spring has sprung and I couldn't be happier. What's your first spring project?
And here's a gratuitous dog picture....he's my photography assistant!
Have a great day! Diane - Gatorbunnysews
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Posted on March 18 2015
Your outfit turned out great! The long in the back shorter in the front top looks great and you are right the perfect top for leggings!
I wanna make this. Today.
That IS the perfect top for leggings! I'm going to get the pattern.
Thank you so much! I've worn this already. I tucked it in to a straight skirt and it looked great too. So versatile.
Do it…it's so easy!
Make it up before summer….you'll be happy you did.