This elegant pinafore with fun frills from beauty @leila_makes in tender FS French Lilac linen (obviously self drafted by her)
"When I set out to start sewing my own clothes, I had no intention of making myself frilly dresses... but here we are.
I actually had every intention of quilting when I first started sewing more than just simple alterations on ready-to-wear shirts, but then I fell HARD when I found the lovely garment sewing community on Instagram. I feel like I really lucked out because by random chance I found the sewing profile of Anna (@tartan_tarlatan ). At the time, I had it in my mind that garment sewing was reserved for a very particular community, one that I did not belong to. But after seeing these amazing pieces Anna was making, I was smitten!
Anna’s profile is why I decided to start my own sewing Instagram account a few months later, when I really began consistently sewing my own clothes; I wanted a place to keep track of my construction notes and pattern fit details. I never told her this, so this blog post seems like the perfect place to say it. :)"
Read how to draft your own pinafore wrap dress on the thread. Link in bio.
From her 'Diary of a Novice Sewist': Sophie @bitte.mach.das and her Dream Frock
"A midweight bleached linen version of Lydia Naomis DreamFrock (previously MilkmaidDress) Sewing it, I learned how to sew in a zipper, I reduced the cups about 80% and to be honest, it’s one of my favorite makes ever. For me it’s la dolce vita as a dress. But today I don’t really want to talk about my dress.
Today I want to talk about the thread being a kind of safe space for me. I am a single mum working three jobs to pay rent, kindergarten and to be able to have vacations outside of Austria – which is extremely important to me as travelling is not only one of my jobs but also a passion of mine and a feeling I want to share with my son. To make it short – life is not always fun and jokes at the moment and I barely have any time for myself. And then there is the thread – where I can do, sew, knit and write whatever I want. For you – but also for me."
Thank you for this dress Sophie (still LOVE) and for all the fun makes you came up with sewing, knitting, makebelieving back in 2021/22. I hope you have found your happy!
Read full essay on the thread. Link in bio
Leila's unbelievable Darling dress with that meticulous contrast piping! Still wow :)
From 3 years ago when we first met, before we both had a multitude of babies.
Why do you sew?
"I think the first thing I saved on Pinterest when it launched was a meme that said “I wish I could illegally download clothes”, and this is probably where my head was to begin with. I didn’t have a lot of money but I loved fashion and sewing felt like the ultimate life hack. Obviously, I know now that it’s not that easy because years later I’m still not quite knocking out designer-dupes (although I’m getting closer).
I think l sew now because I love the sense of creativity and grounding it gives me. So much of my life is out of my control, I jump on transport I don’t drive, often eat food I’ve ordered on an app, use a computer I don’t really understand. I love that in this one area of my life – the clothes that I wear – it’s truly personal, it’s slow, properly from scratch and I understand all of it. It feels like a piece of real life when everything gets a bit surreal and fast and detached."
1-6. @peaceontheside wearing Gracie Steel Darling Dress made with All-purpose Black Fs Signature Finish Midweight Fabric
Read the full interview on the thread. Link in bio.
That time @caitsnyd_sews decided to draft her own dress and embrace all the process imperfections for her Dopamine Sewing journey!
Gorgeous!
"When I saw this eye-popping Tangelo linen on @kelseymariewhite , it was love at first sight. My dopamine levels skyrocketed. Bright, bold, and unapologetic- this fabric screamed, “Sew Me!” I planned on making the Romy Top from Tessuti Fabrics into a dress with itty bitty straps, square necklines, and a chic straight-lined skirt.
I am not much of a toile-r in this season of sewing- it’s been too busy to work through adjustments or drafting. But, I needed to do this linen justice. I quickly worked through the bodice adjustments and dived into my first simple dress by extending the hemline and adding a front slit for mobility."
1-4. Caitlin wearing her self drafted 'wow' dress in FS Tangelo Midweight Signature Finish linen
Continue reading on the thread. Link in bio!
"Of all the Fabric Store pattern collections, I’d been circling back time and time again on the Lily. The Lily collection is a generous set of Henley placket dress, tunic, shirt, and additional skirt. The looks are timeless. The techniques you can learn through Fabric Store patterns are top-notch. But more than anything, this set gives you a fantastic base to launch your creativity.
For this make, I chose the dress view to create a look I was inspired by at the Vintage Market in Palm Springs. It’s modeled on a classic desert caftan or Tuareg tunic popularized in the 70s but with a modern, minimalist approach. I chose this blue in homage to the Saharan daraa or boubou that have been worn in captivating shades of blue since the nomadic peoples of those regions began trading in indigo."
1-5. Emily Z. wearing the FS Lily Dress in FS Insignia Blue Linen
To celebrate #MeMadeMay here are some of our favourite makes from our community.
@fenamakes wearing her hacked Saguaro top as a dress made with FS Spice All Purpose Midweight Linen
What has been the most rewarding sewing project you’ve completed so far and why?
Have you ever fixed a stuffed animal for a child? Have they come to you broken-hearted and distraught, but leave you ecstatic? I love being able to use my talents to help others find a little more joy! Most teachers will refer their younger students to me if a stuffed animal or a beloved garment becomes unraveled. And every single time I fix an animal or a worn-out hoodie for another, I find not many other things as rewarding. What a joy it is to call your hobby a little “superpower”!
#CBY : Margaret Scott makes a Chocolate Linen Suit Inspired by Alex Mill
Could you tell us a bit about yourself and how you got into sewing?
When I was about seven years old I learned to sew from my day-care provider who was a phenomenal sewist. As a little girl I loved to sit in her
sewing room and watch her make clothes, accessories, dog toys, quilts, and even interior upholstery. She was a wonderful and patient teacher as my little hands learned how to use a sewing machine, use patterns, and pair the right fabrics with projects. To this day I still feel so lucky to have had such a talented and kind person introduce me to the world of sewing.
What's it like working with fabrics-store linen?
Working with the FS Premier Finish was exactly the experience I hoped it to be. After pre- washing and ironing, the fabric maintained the delicious balance of ‘refined yet relaxed’ that I love so much about linen. Visually, the color was the gentle and grounding brown that I expected based on the website images, while the rustic texture and natural slub of the linen bounces light off of beautifully in the way that only quality natural fibers do.
The finished garments are exactly what I was dreaming up: a polished set perfect for meetings and events when I want to look sharp and stylish all the while keeping cool in summer’s heat and humidity.
1-3. Simplicty’s Connoisseur Collection 6584 Jacket and Vogue Sport 2821 Shorts made with FS Chocolate Signature Finish linen.
4. Hong Kong
5. FS Chocolate Signature Finish Midweight linen
To read the Interview follow link in bio.
#fabricsstorecom #FSthethread
#PatternReview with @caitsnyd_sews : #FSHanaDress in Crisp Cotton Poplin
When I was approached to review the Hana Pattern, the first question I asked myself was “Will this fit my current mood board?” Luckily for me, most patterns can be modified or made in various material to change its ethos. Also lucky for me, the Hana Pattern didn’t need much.
I was drawn to the wrap style bodice of the Hana. It is all about the details! Specifically in the waist shaping. Sure it has multiple skirt and sleeve lengths (which I love for options), but what attracted me most to this pattern was the waist belt. The waist itself is brought in with multiple pleats- changing direction to form this perfect “puffs” of fabric- the pleats since at the waist and eventuate the bust, in the most appealing way. The skirt is affixed to the bodice top with a faux belt (think of it as your waistband), with skillfully added interior ties as well as an external tie, there is no way that the skirt will fly up and open to expose your bits. The interfaced facing really helps with that. 🙂
1-4. FS Hana dress made with FS Black lightweight cotton poplin
5.FS Black lightweight cotton poplin
To read the full review follow link in bio.
#fabricsstorecom #FSthethread
An Introduction to Garment Ease with @cartem.sewing
Ease is the difference between your body measurements and the finished garment measurements. It’s calculated using a simple formula:
Finished garment measurement — Body measurement = Ease
Ease plays a crucial role in how clothes fit, feel, and function. It determines whether a garment feels comfortable and moves naturally with the body, or feels too tight or too loose.
Different styles incorporate ease in different ways. Some garments are designed with extra fabric to allow for movement and comfort, creating a relaxed, roomy fit. Others use minimal or even no additional fabric for a close-fitting silhouette that hugs the body.
Understanding how ease works helps you predict how a garment will fit before you start sewing. Choosing the right amount of ease ensures the garment looks intentional and feels comfortable—rather than accidentally too tight or overly loose.
To read the full guide follow link in bio.
#fabricsstorecom #FSthethread #SewingEssentials
#SewingStories: Sewing My Way Back to Myself with @krissiemadethat
When I first started sewing garments for myself, (not just little baby items here and there), I did not have any kind of bravery whatsoever in what I was making. I think back to those first few projects and, oh boy were they boxy and baggy! No shame if that’s your style whatsoever, but it isn’t mine…now. Through each project I gained confidence not only in my skills to make something for myself, but also I became more and more accepting and loving of the body I was sewing for. Sewing forces you to keenly notice yourself – your arms, your waist, your hips, and the way you actually fit into clothes. I used to assume I was the problem when ready-to-wear pieces didn’t fit me. But sewing flipped that narrative. Slowly, it wasn’t about squeezing into a size someone else defined. It was about shaping fabric to my body, in all its uniqueness.
The measurements I used to hate knowing about myself have since become a mere guide to me. I don’t dread picking up my measuring tape anymore because it’s literally numbers!
To read the full essay follow link in bio.
#fabricsstorecom #FSthethread
A legendary Latin American folk musician, researcher, poet, and performer, Chilean artist Violeta Parra (1917-1967) was also a remarkable artist, producing a large body of intricate quilts and embroideries, or ‘arperillas’, traditional Chilean patchwork pictures made from wool, thread, and repurposed textile fragments. She famously displayed these embroideries at the Louvre in Paris in 1964, making her the first Latin American artist to have a solo exhibition here, raising widespread awareness of Chilean and Latin American folklore. “I’m just a tiny woman,” she told her friend, the Chilean filmmaker Alejandro Jodorowsky years before achieving this milestone, “but this edifice doesn’t impress me. Mark my words: before long, you’ll see my works exhibited here.”
To read the whole essay follow link in bio.
#FSSewingEssentials wih @cartem.sewing
Let's talk.... notches!
I love a notch, so much so that I’ve decided to dedicate this article to these small but important markings. Here, I’ll explain why they’re so helpful, when to use them, and how to add them to your own patterns or adapt them for existing ones.
What exactly are notches?
Notches are small markings found around the perimeter of pattern pieces. They sit perpendicular to the cutting line and point inward toward the stitching line. They are like puzzle tabs in that they help ensure each piece goes together correctly and accurately.
Notches play a key role in both pattern making and sewing. Think of them like tabs on a puzzle piece, helping you identify which piece goes with which. They ensure seams are matched accurately. They help control fit and ease, distribute fullness evenly, and make sure the garment hangs as intended. And if you find there aren’t enough, don’t be afraid to add a few extra!
#fabricsstorecom #FSthethread
