Let us inspire your next Winter make - FoTM December 2024
This month's Fabric of the Month is a luxurious 100% wool black Melton, featured as part of a special December offer. Fabworks is offering a unique "Lucky Dip" themed bundle, which includes a length of black Melton fabric (ranging from 2.8m to 7m), paired with 3m of printed satin lining of your choice - all for just £32!
Click here to get your own bundle.
We’ve curated this bundle with your next winter project in mind! If you're unsure what to make, our creative team at Fabworks has been busy providing inspiration to help you transform this versatile fabric into something special. Black is a timeless, elegant colour that can also be made characterful and creative - the possibilities are endless!
The Kusama Jacket pattern has quickly become a favourite here at Fabworks, and when I saw this month's Fabric of the Month, I instantly knew what I wanted to create. The weight and texture of the fabric are perfect for the boxy silhouette of the jacket and the topstitching detail sparked ideas for adding a pop of subtle colour, making it the perfect way to personalize this piece.
So, I gathered my roll of black Melton and headed to the Fabworks Mill Shop to choose the perfect colourful accents - lining, thread, buttons, and a pattern.
Everything I picked is available to purchase online, alongside this special offer.
- 5 x Chunky Pearlised Purple 3.5cm Button
- Wreck of Seabirds - Special Occasion Satin
- Kusama Jacket Pattern by Sew Different
While Melton is often associated with heavy outerwear, it’s a fabric that can sometimes feel intimidating to work with. However, if you’re new to working with wool and outerwear fabrics, this is the perfect project to start with.
You get all the warmth of wool without the hassle of fraying, thanks to the felting. The fabric’s stability means it won’t distort, and seams align perfectly without any tugging or manipulation. My outer shell came together in just a few hours, and my domestic machine handled it easily without any issues. Rest assured, this fabric is a joy to sew with!
To give this classic black fabric a personal touch, I decided to complement it with a rich purple. I used purple thread for all the topstitching and embroidered with a contrasting thread to blanket stitch around the sleeves, pockets, collar, and front edge. For the lining, I matched the thread colour with a playful purple print, adding a fun pop of colour inside.
This is just how I chose to personalise my bundle, but there are endless ways to add your own flair to this blank canvas. You could use bright binding around the edges instead of the blanket stitch I went for, or make a feature of the contrasting topstitching. For extra texture, try lightly quilting or free-motion embroidering a design across the jacket to emphasise the contrast stitching. You could even opt for a different coloured Melton to create contrasting patch pockets, or keep it more neutral and classic by swapping my bold purple choice for cream or white.
The black Melton makes this jacket incredibly easy to style. Black is both timeless and classy, yet it adds excitement to any outfit while keeping you infinitely cosier and warmer. Pair it with one of our scarves, and your look is complete.
Other ideas... How about a stylish pinafore dress or a cosy gilet? These smaller layers will keep you warm all winter long. Don't forget about your offcuts... Perfect for a festive Christmas stocking or even a quirky plant pot for your Christmas tree!
Whether you're making a bold statement or opting for something more classic, this month’s black Melton offers endless possibilities for creating a stylish, cosy winter wardrobe. With its timeless appeal and ease of use, it's the perfect fabric to experiment with and make your own - everything you need to bring your project to life is just a click away.
Happy sewing, and we can’t wait to see what you create!
