Sew With Me: Finding Cute Fabric and Patterns

I know I am starting to sound like a broken record about my sewing adventures! I’m just really loving it and it’s something that has been bringing me immense joy. With that said, I’m the farthest thing from an expert. I’m pretty much just starting out and I heavily rely on Youtube video instruction to guide me through what I don’t know. But… I’m also adventurous. I’m really not keen on letting “not knowing how to do something” be an excuse for not doing a project I want to do. Maybe it takes me ten times longer and maybe I end up ripping out seams twice before getting it right, but I’ll keep at it. I’m adding this because I think it’s important to remember when you see a final product, you’re seeing the final product, not the work, effort, and possible frustration that went into making it.

(This is all to say…. if you want to learn how to sew, YOU ABSOLUTELY CAN AND SHOULD!)

As I started to dip my toes into the sewing world a bit more, I have been finding incredible inspiration. Honestly there are many different layers to the sewing world. Vintage styles, children’s wear, quilting, etc. It’s kind of hard to find accounts, businesses, and inspiration that fit my style specifically… but they’re out there. It just takes some digging.

A FEW ACCOUNTS CURRENTLY INSPIRING ME:

TABITHA SEWER // Tabitha was the first account that really got me interested in making clothes! Like she makes clothes that doesn’t look…. homemade. (You know what I mean??) She also makes her own patterns and sells the chicest buttons.

KATE EVA DESIGNS // I love Kate Eva Designs’ style. Seeing what she makes, the fabrics she chooses, and patterns she “hacks” has been a great source of inspiration lately!

BURIED DIAMOND // Martha’s style quite a bit more eclectic and colorful than what I personally gravitate towards… but she’s such a talented sewer that it’s impossible not be inspired. I love her knack for taking vintage patterns and turning them into modern works of art.

ROSERY APPAREL // This Youtube account is fantastic!!! I love the tutorials and ideas.

PATTERNS I’VE RECENTLY MADE

SHIRRED TIERED DRESS // I didn’t follow a specific pattern for this, instead I found a bunch of tutorials for a similar vibe and then tweaked that based on what I wanted. The hardest part was honestly the math trying to figure out the sizes of the rectangles to cut. Here is the first Youtube video of how to do the shirred fabric– it’s actually pretty easy but EVERY machine is different so it took me a while to get the settings right on my machine. I did a bunch of trial runs on scrap pieces until I got the shirring the way I wanted. I also read this post for tips and watched this video too. Then I just went for it.

I used this fabric and this green ribbon for straps. 

SPENCER TODDLER DRESS // I absolutely loved this pattern. I made three dresses for our nieces and they turned out beautifully. I definitely learned a few new things, like cuffs on sleeves, but the dresses are darling. I love that you can make this in a few different ways. The swing on the dress is just right. The pattern was perfect and the directions were super clear.

I used this floral fabric and scraps of random pink I had for the lining.

RUFFLE NECK DRESS // I did not love this pattern and wouldn’t recommend it for a variety of reasons… I originally bought it because I liked the collar and then realized I could have just hacked a better dress pattern and added a cute ruffle collar (which is just a gathered rectangle) myself.

I am pretty sure this is the fabric I used (I purchased in the store, so not 100%).

FINDING CUTE FABRIC

Cute fabric is the hardest part. Most of the time it’s not even a matter of “cute” but trying to find exactly what you envision. I do have a sewing store that sells fabric near by, but it’s mostly for quilting and the fabric selection is very quilting focused. If there wasn’t a pandemic, I’d probably drive into the city just to go to Mood and B&J to wander through aisles. I’ve been focusing my efforts online and it’s totally doable, just takes time. (I’ve been doing the black hole scrolling and clicking thing while watching TV mostly!) I would probably go with Liberty London every time if I had an unlimited budget, but… alas, I do not!

Some of the shops I’ve found a bunch of cute prints from: Polka Dot Secrets, The Fabric Shop US, Gardenia Fabrics, Bobbie Lou Fabric, and Sewing Room Birmingham.

See some of my recent favorites below (note: I’ve obviously got Christmas projects on my mind!):

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