Simplicity 2365 - The Pattern Mixer Dress

For the FabricMart Fabricista Challenge we were charged with making a garment using two print fabrics.  This turned out to be a really fun project because as a fabricoholic, buying fabric prints feeds my soul.

I went to Fabricland in Orange and lying in the counter were these two fabrics.  Even though they weren't coordinates I knew right away I had to have them!  I used Simplicity 2365 and changed it quite a bit. 

I lengthened it into a dress and cut the center front piece in two, making a center front upper and lower piece.  I then pleated the Joel Dewberry rayon dot fabric and then cut the upper center front piece.  I added vintage buttons to the front and made a self tie.  It was really fun to make and the large floral print is an Amy Butler voile which was a dream to sew on. 

You can read more about the Fabricista Challenge entry here and my Kollabora review here.  And here's my pattern review:

Pattern Description: Misses' sewing pattern tunic in two lengths with front variations. Pattern Sizing:6-24. I made a size 12Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it?Yes....but I lengthened it to make a dress.Were the instructions easy to follow?Yes.What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern?It's very versatile.Fabric Used:Amy Butler Voile and a Joel Dewberry Rayon.Pattern alterations or any design changes you made:I cut the center front piece in two so it added a front yoke. I pleated the dot rayon fabric and then cut the the upper center front pattern piece. I added a delicate trim and vintage buttons. I lengthened the the tunic to make a dress and added a self tie.Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others?

Yes. I made it once before and loved it.  

Winner of the FabricMart Fabricista Challenge!

Shannon from ShanniLoves is the winner of FabricMart's Fabricista Challenge.  She did a beautiful job on her outfit and.....I loved her color choice!  I am honored to have won second place.  Kathy from KathySews came in third and I plan on copying that jacket she made (I hope she doesn't mind) in the final round.  It's adorable!  I had so much fun and I learned so much.  I'm off to do some of my own sewing now including sewing up some of the beautiful silks I won in the challenge.  I have pattern reviews coming for many of the pieces I made in the contest so check back.  Thank you for all of the support and I hope it inspired some of you to sew!

The Final Challenge! Yay!

This is my final entry in the FabricMart Fabricista challenge.  I can't believe I made it this far.  I have thoroughly enjoyed participating in these challenges and seeing what the other seamstresses make.  It's made me a better seamstress, stimulated my creativity and boosted my wardrobe!  I want to thank everyone at FabricMart for this opportunity and I particularly want to thank all of the ladies who have participated.  Your work inspires me!

Three seamstresses are completing in this challenge including Kathy from KathySews and Shannon from ShanniLoves.

Here's the challenge:

Create 3 pieces that can be worn together as one outfit or 2 outfits that could be worn to the same event. Using the Pantone Fall Color Chart, select 2 fall colors to inspire your outfit. 
You will be judged on creativity, craftsmanship, use of color, and fit.

Back in jr. high, my dear friend Adi (who is still my dear friend) complimented me on my purple pants.  Any compliment given to an insecure jr high kid is a treasure but for me, this was really big since....I had two pair.  Some may think it was excessive to have had two fifths of my pant wardrobe be purple but for me (and many other girls I would imagine) purple is a neutral.  When I saw purple on the Pantone color chart I knew I needed to head back to my fashion "roots" and make some updated purple pants.

For this final challenge, I chose acai (Pantone purple) and samba (Pantone red) to put a twist on a classic outfit every girls needs: a trench coat, chinos and blouse.  The fully lined cotton sateen coat was inspired by a Marc Jacobs print trench and has a large rounded collar and trim on the 3/4 length sleeves and placket. It's lined in a red silk/cotton blend and the lining and facings are piped with black ric rac.

Marc Jacobs Trench

 

The slim chino pants are made from a purple stretch cotton with two welt pockets on the back and a curved waistband.  I chose white for the blouse to make a play on the classic white shirt and to make the jacket "pop".  The sleeveless shell has pleats at the center front and is finished with french seams, self bias binding and pleated trim around the neckline.

Check out all of the fantastic Fabricista entries at the FabricMart blog and vote!

And a super special "thank you" to my family for helping with pictures and never complaining about the whirring of the sewing machine late at night.  I'm really sorry for all of the pins on the floor.  I hope I didn't cause any permanent damage to your feet!

Photo Bomber!  She makes me laugh!

The Final Challenge Announced

The 8th and final project in the Fabricmart Fabricista Challenge has been announced.  Here it is:

3 Piece Outfit/Collection

3 Seamstresses will compete in this challenge.

You will have two weeks to complete this challenge.

Challenge: Create 3 pieces that can be worn together as one outfit or 2 outfits that could be worn to the same event. Using the Pantone Fall Color Chart, select 2 fall colors to inspire your outfit. 
You will be judged on creativity, craftsmanship, use of color, and fit. 

The First Place Winner will receive $25.00 a month for one year to spend on fabric at Fabric Mart (worth $300!) Plus! You will become a Fabricista on our blog!

The Second Place Winner will receive a $100 Gift Certificate and a Julie's Picks Membership. 

The Third Place Winner will receive a $50 Gift Certificate and Julie's Picks Membership.

Well....I picked my colors and I'm busy sewing like crazy.  I'll post my outfit Monday!

I Won the Seventh Challenge!

I won the seventh challenge in the FabricMart Fabricista contest.  We are now starting the final challenge.  I'm really excited!  Thanks for all the support.

Fabricista Challenge #7 - Mixing Prints

I can't believe we are on Challenge #7!  

Here's the new challenge from the Fabricistas at FabricMart Fabrics:

Challenge: Using at least two prints, coordinate them to make an outfit. Use only the fabric prints you have chosen to make your pieces. Think about where you would wear your fun outfit and choose a theme for your photo shoot. 

You will be judged on creativity, craftsmanship, how well your prints work together, your images, garment personality, and fit.

Someone very wise once said to me "Every American should collect something."  I never asked him to clarify what he meant but it was freeing for me because in my heart I've always been a collector.  My collections have brought me pleasure both in the process of collecting and in the enjoyment of owning. So for all of you out there.....I'm not a fabric hoarder.

I'm a fabric collector. 

It sounds classier doesn't it?  So for this challenge I had the pleasure of "collecting" two fabric prints and making a dress to go antique collecting.  You want to be me, right?

The quaint circle, historic buildings and charming treasures of the Old Towne Orange Antique District provided inspiration for this vintage inspired shirtdress.  I mixed a 100% rayon challis in teal, acid green and white with a 100% cotton voile in greens, blues and purple to make a midi length dress with a mandarin collar, elastic waist and 3/4 length rolled sleeves.  The yoke of the dress has pin tucks, a trio of antique buttons and delicate blue and green ribbon trim.  It's a fun and feminine dress for a day of antique shopping.

My daughter took all of these pictures for me.  We love hanging out in "The Circle."

Hah!  I took a picture of the photographer.  Isn't she cute?

Please check out all of the lovely submissions in the FabricMart Fabrics Fabricista challenge on their blog.