Fabricista Fashion Challenge Week 2: It's All About Fit

Whooooooa Nelly, if there's anything that scares me about sewing (and probably everyone else!) it's fit. So last week when this challenge was announced, I was alternately excited about winning the first challenge and shaking in my boots looking ahead. To check out all of the entries for this week and to VOTE, click over to the Fabric Mart blog.

This week we were challenged to make any garment we wanted, but it had to be in a solid color and it had to fit well. I had to purchase both of my fabrics (Jo-Ann's), which was a bummer, but I don't keep a lot of solids on hand. The tunic is the Lola from Victory Patterns, and is made from pink cotton/poly interlock, and the leggings are a poly/spandex performance knit. I normally wouldn't make leggings from polyester, but I wanted this color and it needed spandex, so there ya go.

You may recall a similar Lola that I made earlier this year. If you look at that one (the fabric is exactly the same except a different color) it looks baggy in places. I also had to sew in a weird dart/wedge in the back. I pinched out fabric in a bunch of places in the teal version, and then transferred those adjustments to my paper pattern. I had to retrace a few pieces completely because the changes were so drastic. I still want to be able to make this in sweatshirt fleece so I kept both versions of the pattern. I did omit the pockets.

I'm not crazy about these photos, but unfortunately it started raining JUST as I finished the leggings and didn't quit for the rest of the day. The next day was totally overcast and dreary. Fall is here peeps and it sucks.

The leggings are made from McCall's 6173, and I think this is my fourth version? One is unblogged in a crazy fun print, and you can see the others here and here. I've actually traced this pattern onto sturdy paper because I've finally worked out the kinks on fit. With a serger and coverstitch machine this one takes no time at all to sew, it's a great TNT for me.

I'm very happy with the adjustments I made to remove all the bagginess (more details are on the FM blog). If not for this challenge I probably would have just lived with it and grumbled internally. Now I have a second pattern for stretchier fabrics like interlock and ponte. I still have one Lola planned for this fall (navy and grey colorblocked) so look out for that! For now, I'm very happy with yet another pink and grey outfit! You have until Friday at 3am EST to vote, if you like my outfit I'd appreciate a vote for me!