The evolution of the sewing blogging community has been an interesting thing to witness. I myself have been blogging about sewing (off and on) since 2011(!). In those early days, the phrase TnT, which stands for tried-and-true, was used quite a bit. Many of us made it a habit to use the same patterns over and again in a variety of colors or fabrics. Why fix what isn’t broken, right? ...
Read More
When it comes to apparel fabric, there's nothing more fun than playing around with unique fabric prints and blends, but there's something to be said about those classic natural fabrics too, such as cotton twill and chambray. As I slowly replace my worn-out ready-to-wear clothing with handmade items, I've been trying to utilize similar fabrics, and I'm having no problem finding what I need in Cali Fabric's impressive apparel fabric ...
Read More
Hello again, friends! Today, I have a post for you on a topic that strikes fear in the hearts of many sewists. (Cue scary music haha) The funny thing is, there's nothing scary about denim at all. It's a fabric many of us practically live in and it isn't difficult to sew! It is just cotton, after all. The fiber most of us start with, and often turn back to ...
Read More
A pattern with simple lines is such a versatile tool for wardrobe building. Change the fabric, and you change the look. When it's a pattern you know fits you well or that you have spent time adjusting to your perfect custom fit, it's great to be able to sew it over and over without looking like 'that lady who always wears that same skirt'. Here are two different looks from a ...
Read More
I love finding designer fabrics on Cali Fabrics! When the designer is named, it's fun to use some Google-fu to find how the designer used the fabric and let that inspire me. When I found this playful zebra-printed stretch twill fabric from Hudson Jeans, it was easy to find the designer's make by searching "Hudson Jeans zebra" and I found they used it for ... whadda ya know, jeans! It's a ...
Read More
I know Chambray Week is over but I couldn't resist sharing this polka dot chambray Gemma tank that I made to beef up my basic work wardrobe. This chambray is a lightweight rayon, which was perfect for this Gemma Tank. While this pattern works nicely in a stiffer fabric like voile, lawn or even quilting cotton, I really like it in something drapier like rayon. Sadly this rayon chambray is sold out, ...
Read More
Hi Readers! I've been on the quest for the perfect [for me] me-made 1940's jeans. I haven't quite hit my self-appointed mark, but I'm getting close! For these jeans, I used a 1940's wide leg trouser pattern (Simplicity 3688) and altered it to add pockets and a side button opening as well as a ton of contrast top-stitching. I used the Robert Kaufman indigo selvedge denim which has red, blue and white ...
Read More
While it's always pleasant in sunny Cali, that certainly isn't the case here in Kansas! We've been subjected to a particularly frigid winter this year, so I've been doing all I can to try to keep warm, both at home and at the office! This pink sweatshirt fleece from Cali Fabrics was perfect for that! It's warm and soft and fuzzy and I just want to wrap myself in yards of ...
Read More
I am loving all the '7 for All Mankind' stretch sateens that have been popping up on Cali Fabrics lately, and this is a dress inspired by my favorite print - Weathered Blue on White Lace Print. (Unfortunately, it is now sold out, but I see new prints being added pretty often, such as this one.) Because the print is busy, I wanted to pair it with a simple pattern ...
Read More
I should begin my post about sewing up this olive floral stretch sateen by letting you know that I don’t like florals. I mean, I appreciate them from an aesthetic standpoint, like when Cali Fabrics gets a beautiful group of designer stretch sateen in stock, but I know I won’t like the way I look and feel wearing florals. So I say “ooh that’s pretty” and move on. And yet, ...
Read More
I have good news and bad news about the makes in this post. And since I've always been an "eat your vegetables first" sort of person, we'll just get the bad news out of the way. And that bad news would be this tank. I think that it's just as important to share projects that flop as it is to share those that are successes, so when this tank flopped, I decided ...
Read More
After a little break in which I had a baby, I'm excited to be back to talk about sewing for tweens! I have 2 kids in this age category, and 3 that have gone through it, so you might say I have a little experience! In this post I'm going to share with you my experience on fabric to use in sewing for tweens. Choosing fabric for tweens boils down to what ...
Read More
Starting my own business has been a dream of mine for some time now. Being my own boss means I get to make all the calls, which is a good and a bad thing. On one hand, I get to decide what work I take on and when I want to do it. On the other hand, there is no one to ask for help and I have to handle ...
Read More
Ah jeans...one of the most ubiquitous articles of clothing in modern American culture, yet one that makes most sewists break out in a cold sweat. After all, jeans are HARD, right? Well, I'm here to tell you that no, jeans are not hard and they may be one of the most satisfying things you ever make! I was among the large majority of sewists who are scared to death of jeans until the ...
Read More
Oh my gosh! I made a denim jacket and best of all I am completely smitten with it!! Before I keep gushing about my latest creation let's start with some basics. For this jacket, I used 2.5 yards of Dark Blue Designer Waxed Denim. I had not sewn with waxed denim previously, so I was curious to how this fabric would sew up and hold up. Before I started, I ...
Read More
Hello, readers! I've been steadily working on filling out holes in my wardrobe and a denim jacket was at the top of my list. It's such a steady workhorse for casual looks and gives you that needed warmth for crisp spring days. This was a fun project that looks much more difficult than it is. If you can set a sleeve and make buttonholes, you can make this denim jacket. I used Butterick ...
Read More
I was beyond excited when I saw that Ron had listed Carhartt canvas in some 20 (20!!) colors on the Cali Fabrics site. If you aren’t familiar with the brand, Carhartt is known for high-quality, premium-yet-affordable workwear in sturdy fabrics like denim and duck (aka, canvas). You may have seen their recent feature in Threads magazine, with a tutorial for the Detroit cuff. I knew this would be fantastic quality ...
Read More
Hi everyone! I'm Michelle and this is my very first post over here on the Cali fabrics blog. I am excited to share with you what I made for my 17 year old redheaded vintage-loving daughter (who we refer to as The Bee) with these amazing fabrics. I sewed up a Holiday dress for her using the Ginseng Pattern by Sew Chic Pattern Company, (who generously supplied me with the pattern) ...
Read More
Recently I sewed 2 pairs of jeans for my boys using some awesome denim from Cali Fabrics. As a first time sewist of jeans I learned quite a bit, and I thought I’d share some tips and tricks to help fellow jean makers. Use the right tools: You don’t have to go out and buy a whole new set of tools, many of these items you probably already own. And some are ...
Read More
Hello Lovely Readers! Welcome to my second post on the Cali & Co Blog! I've been doing a lot of "comfortable" sews recently, so I was itching for a challenge and decided my next sew would be something I've never sewn before, with fabric I've never used before. I was browsing the site and came across this gorgeous Red, Black and Ivory Plaid Heavy Weight Loose Weave Poly Twill and I just had to have it! ...
Read More