Wednesday, October 8, 2014

FabricMart Fabricista Challenge Week 5

Yeah...the bundle challenge.

This is the set of bundles that went out to the 4 remaining contestants


Which would YOU want??! :)

I was the lucky recipient of bundle #1!

  • The top fabric is a really pretty knit but it has faux "sequins" in it. I could still see using it for a flowy maxi skirt (which will not happen anytime soon because it's winter). 
  • The second fabric is...A DAZZLE KNIT! I thought it was just a lightweight poly knit of some kind and then I unfolded it. OY VEY!
  • Fabric #3 is a poly/cotton broadcloth in black
  • Fabric #4 is a light/midweight printed ponte
  • The last piece is a pointelle(?) sweater knit
I was feeling pretty good about my bundle and was almost certain that with a 10 yard bundle we would be required to create 3 pieces to make an outfit. Don't ask me why, but I was CERTAIN. 

And then we got the challenge. I'll tell you more about my saga after the jump.

I knew the grey/white fabric was out because I just couldn't make it "go" with any combo of the others in my head. So I set about creating an outfit from the remaining 4.


I decided on McCall's 6752; a dress that I made unsuccessfully a few months after I started sewing. Remember how I said I pulled out a bunch of UFOs? I realized that dress looked really cute on me but it was too big up top. Back then, I didn't know! I just happily cut a size 14 and sewed it up (and didn't understand the collar directions)...

For this version I cut a size 10 neck/shoulders/arms and graded to a 14 waist. I cut the skirt as a 14 (I had the size that went up to 14). I used the dazzle knit inside out for the bodice and the printed ponte for the skirt.

I chopped 3" off the sleeve length and did not use elastic in the bodice. Hems are finished with a twin needle.

I will be making this dress again!


For the cardigan, I used the sweater knit and the broadcloth. I've made M6844 like 247 times (or you know, like 6). The non-peplum view in white, black, cream and taupe. The peplum view in blue and now this one. 

I shortened the sleeves by a few inches, only cut one collar band and folded it over. I did not interface the band. I cut the ties 24" each and cut the end at a 45 degree angle. I stitched and turned, and sewed the ties into the side seams of the cardigan. The sweater is finished with narrow hems.

I plan on making one with one of those yummy FabricMart animal print pontes I got not too long ago. I think I like the idea of woven ties and not knit.


I'm actually MUCH happier with my look than I thought I would be!! Huzzah!

Sooooo, what's a weekly challenge without a drama saga. Right?!

So you know I had to travel for my grandmother's funeral. When I got the challenge, I seriously knew immediately what I was going to do. I was going for a mod-ish/retro-ish kind of vibe. I cut S1282 view E in the ponte.  I decided to use the broadcloth for the waistband.

I always use a size 16 for my waist. always. But I got ready to insert the zipper and the skirt was about 3" too small at the waist. Like, I don't know what happened. Even at the highest part of my waist, it didn't fit.

I cut panels from the ponte (the skirt has some fullness and you seriously couldn't tell) and extended the waistband and then inserted the zipper. It fit fine. Well, except I did not do a booty adjustment and the hi-low hem was not obvious.

I got home on Sunday and cut out my top. I decided to use B5922, view B. I decided I might add the collar in the black if it looked okay.


I didn't realize it was an overlay (yeah, I can tell now on the line drawing that it's obvious) and I just cut a "yoke" and the underlay of the shirt, adding seam allowance to the yoke. I didn't love it but I didn't hate it. Until I put it on.

It was just...wrong on me. I think the neckline is too high and I need some sort of FBA (drag lines and excess fabric at the armscye).

I put the outfit on and got SAD.

Sorry for the weird exposure!


PERFECT sleeves <3
Look at my handy patch job on the waistband!

I knew I needed something else because I was unhappy with this look! 

Now, if you noticed in my submission, there was A LOT of shortening of patterns. BECAUSE I HAD TO USE MY SCRAPS! hahaha!

I had plenty broadcloth, obviously. And enough dazzle knit. I had to really work with the sweater knit and the ponte though! :) Did you notice my CB seam on the skirt? Added out of necessity!



I cut out all the pattern pieces for my new look Sunday night and had to spend all day Monday sewing it up. WHEW!

The Outtake: :)


Head over to the FabricMart blog and VOTE!! 

(for me. please. I want final 3!!! :-p )