Gallery

Photos and Fabrication Descriptions from my Facebook and Instagram Posts

For up-to-the-minute posts, follow Fit.Sew.Beautiful on Facebook, and join the Fit.Sew.Beautiful Facebook Discussion Group.

Pattern: McCall’s 2205 Shirt, with alterations
Fabric: Spoonflower “Space Machines by Todd” in cotton lawn
McCall’s 2205 (published 1999) has been in my pattern collection since my son was little. Back then, I used it to make matching camp shirts for him and my husband, usually train-related prints. As he matured and his interests changed, so did the shirts. Read More

Pattern: V9378
Fabric: Body - Spoonflower Performance Pique fabric in “Exploration: Chalkboard Formulas for Space Travel, Large” by 3rittanylane
Contrast Placket and Collar -  Spoonflower Sport Lycra® in “Solid Black Faux Glitter -- Silver (Full Scale)” by argyleimp
For many years, I’ve made my son casual camp shirts with prints of his favorite things: trains, planes and space. Now that he’s working as an aeronautical engineer, he has asked me to make some work-worthy shirts. He and most of his co-workers wear polyester polo style shirts, many with logos on them. Read More

Pattern: Julio Cesar’s Vogue jumpsuit, V1806 Fabric: Cotton/poly cut work fabric from the FIDM Scholarship Store. Blue-green satin faced polyester fabric from an ASGLA Couture Group stash exchange. 
I need an outfit suitable for a wedding this fall; I was actually well on my way sewing Tom & Linda Platt’s 2-piece pants suit (Vogue V1869) when I found out that the bride was wearing a non-traditional color — the same royal blue as my outfit! Two of my students have sewn Julio Cesar’s Vogue jumpsuit, V1806, to wear at weddings this summer. I figured it was my turn. 
Read More

Patterns: Blouse: McCall’s 8043; Skirt: Vogue V8773 (2011). Fabrics: Blouse: mystery polyester masquerading as a handkerchief linen from an American Sewing Guild stash exchange. Self fabric buttons and rouleau loops. Duoplex and Powernet waist stay from BraMaker’s Supply. Skirt: mystery heavy rayon/polyester satin novelty print from another ASG stash exchange. Purple cotton/poly batiste underlining from Fabric (dot) com. Read More

Pattern: Butterick B6842 (formerly McCalls M6750) plus Vogue V8078
Fabric: Cotton/poly eyelet from Fabric .com Interfacing is silk organza from Thaisilks .com
I love the look of eyelet fabric, but I’m not a big “floral” gal. When I saw this circle eyelet, I knew I had to make a blouse. Read More

Pattern: Butterick B6857 (also pictured: jeans B6840 and pants V1665)
Fabric: Telio Topaz Hatchi Stretch Knit in Teal and in Royal, from Fabric(dot)com. Black French terry from the FIDM Scholarship Store 
For these makes, I used B6857, from Butterick’s Fall pattern line. Read More 

Patterns: Top: Nikko Top by True/Bias Patterns; Leggings: McCalls M6173
Fabric: The fabric for both of these garments was from my stash.
McCalls M6173 is a wonderful pattern! A year or so ago, I posted a pair of leggings made from this pattern out of a heavy black rayon/nylon/spandex knit. Since then, I learned a great trick for choosing the size of knit pants’ patterns. Read More

Pattern: McCall’s M5894 (now available as Butterick B6852)
Fabric: Fashion fabric is green polyester georgette; underlining is poly/cotton batiste, both from Joann’s. Read More

Patterns: Bodice - M7279 (now B6849) with the armscyes cut back to encompass the back shoulder darts; Skirt - Madeleine Vionett’s circle skirt, circa 1937 from Betty Kirke’s book Madeleine Vionnet (1998).

Fabric: Vintage polyester challis from an estate sale. Cotton batiste for underlining and lining from Fabric .com This vintage-vibe sundress was inspired by Emily Magli and by Susan Khalje, whose Facebook group did a sew-along for her circle skirt sundress pattern last summer.
Read More

Mother’s Coat
Patterns: This coat’s pattern was rubbed off of a Vogue Patterns coat from the 1950’s (pattern number unknown, details below). The top of the two-piece rushed dress is #426 Princess Wrap Top from Christine Jonson Patterns; the skirt is adapted from Butterick B5950
Fabric: The coat is a wool boucle from a friend’s stash (Thank You, Jeanne!!!) and a printed silk charmeuse from my own stash. The dress is an ITY jersey knit from Denver Fabrics.
This is a coat with a lot of history, made possible by a village of helpers. Read More

Pattern: McCalls M7352
Fabric: 100% Linen from Joann’s

I wanted an unlined dress for summer — something I could throw on in August to stay cool when I’m at farmer’s market or the grocery store.

Read More

Pattern: Vogue Patterns V9355, with alterations using McCalls M7279.
Fabric: Dress: silk dupioni; underlining is silk organza; lining is Bemberg rayon.

I bought this fabric in Sacramento about 20 years ago. It’s been aging in my stash, waiting for the right project.
Read More

Pattern: Butterick B6840, The Palmer/Pletsch Jean
Fabric: Lightweight stretch woven denim, bought at the estate sale of a custom dressmaker.

I completed this pair of jeans in Helen Bartley’s Palmer/Pletsch Jeans Fit & Sew at Sew-op Makers’ Space in Vancouver, WA this past week. I gave Helen a challenge: Help me make jeans that fit my 50+ body. Read More

Pattern: Butterick B6760
Fabric: Dress - Italian stretch cotton sateen; lining - cotton/poly batiste. Both fabrics from Fabric.com

I fell in love with this vaguely floral, vaguely geometric, irregular pattern the moment I saw it. 

Read More

Pattern: McCalls M6329 (Jacket) and Butterick B6850 (previously McCalls M7352) (Dress)
Fabric: Navy blue cotton twill, gift from a friend. Organic cotton print from Quilts N Things Fiber Arts in La Crescenta, CA (available on Etsy). Teal green 100% linen from Joanns.

Do you find that, sometimes, things just have to age? I find that both the fabrics and patterns in my stash sometimes need time before the right combination comes to fruition. Read More

Patterns: Tom and Linda Platt for Vogue Patterns, V1620 (Top and Jacket); Palmer/Pletsch one-seam pants, McCalls M6571 Fabrics: Pants and Jacket - Telio “Downtown” Rayon/nylon/spandex suiting from (now defunct) Fabric Depot in Portland, OR Top and jacket binding/pocket lining - Polyester mix challis from our ASGLA Couture Group’s stash exchange. 
Read More

Pattern: Chalk & Notch “Marcel” Dress
Fabric: Williams Sonoma Tablecloths, circa 2000
I first saw the Marcel dress on Instagram. At the same time I saw the Marcel dress, a number of Instagram sewists were posting upcycled makes to an upcycle challenge. Marcel’s tiers of ruffles immediately made me think of border prints, which reminded me of the two old Williams-Sonoma tablecloths collecting dust at the top of my linen closet. I dreamed about upcycling and bought the pattern.
Read More