Pattern Suggestions For Suiting Fabrics
If you are a regular visitor to our website you will probably be aware of our numerous blog posts that are designed to inspire and inform - we hope that they do inspire you to crack on with new projects, as well as comment back to us about your experiences using our wonderful fabrics. A few months ago we published our original suiting blog which is lengthy and informative and definitely worth a read. We already know that we have changed the minds of many customers when it comes to suiting fabrics, so we thought that now was time for an update, with some new helpful pattern suggestions that are ideal for the transition from winter into spring, as well as simple layering up techniques too, all using suiting fabrics!
Instagram users may be familiar with Shaunimagnifique, a sewing blogger who recently shared a fabulous jumpsuit she had made using a fine Italian designer worsted suiting. We spotted it straight away and loved it. Although the fabric wasn’t from Fabworks, this superb fabric is so similar to our huge range of Italian suiting. We think the; Fibre Mood – Leah Jumpsuit is ideal for wearing right now (January-March), layered with a cotton roll neck top and winter boots!
For jumpsuit and trouser lovers, how about a really retro and super practical boiler suit? The Intrepid Boiler Suit from Alice and Co Patterns is a zip fronted classic boiler suit with belt casing and various patch pocket options. Make this fab boiler suit in one of our suiting fabrics and dress up with a smart pair of shoes or ankle boots, matching belt and funky jewellery and you have a totally different style to your usual denim jump/ boiler suit. This will take you from the office to a night out with friends.
For a fabulous unlined coat and skirt suit, look no further than Vogue V1646. This fabulous pattern consists of a stylish unlined, collarless coat with raglan sleeves, large lined patch pockets and super smart top-stitch details to the seams. Team this up with it’s matching softly draped gored skirt with raised waistline, and slimming top-stitch details to the yoke and facing. This pattern will really showcase the elegant drape of a fine worsted suiting fabrics.
Dress lovers fear not, there are a host of stylish and practical dress patterns which will look fabulous made in suiting fabric too.
The Assembly Line - Box Pleat Dress; this simple but stylish dress pops easily over the head thanks to a boat neckline (so no awkward fasteners), boasts an A-line shape, with a deep box pleat in the centre back which creates a roomy and elegant fit. Side splits at the hemline, wide sleeves and inseam pockets add to the stylish practicality. This dress is ideal for layering with a roll neck top, and your thick winter tights, in the chilly months.
Homer & Howells - Cissy Dress. This dress is another simple pop-over style with roomy boat neck, simple boxy bodice with fabulous box pleated skirt and in seam pockets.
Sew Different’s Tulip Dress and Everyday Chic Dress has a range of easy make dresses which look fabulous made in our suitings, both are super popular at Fabworks Mill Shop because of their simple style and easy to follow instructions. There are lots of add-ons and pattern hacks on the Sew Different website which are all worth considering for expanding your sewing repertoire.
Sew Me Something’s - Ursula Dress is a loose-fitting pleated skirt with a cross-over bodice type of pinafore dress. This classic shape can be made in heavier wools, denims and corduroys, however for a versatile make you can smarten up with a shirt and wear to work or dress down with a casual, plain black T-shirt try it in a suiting fabrics for fantastic results.
For smarter or dressier styles which will showcase the premium qualities of suiting fabrics, take a look at;
Vogue V9266; this stylish ensemble features a fitted shift dress with a raised neckline and feature darts which run from the front neck edge to the upper bustline. Waist darts add further figure enhancement and a slim silhouette which teams perfectly with the accompanying Bolero Jacket, which is lined and features a neat shawl collar and cross-over fastening. The neat streamlined silhouette of this dress suit is ideal for making up in one of our fabulous Italian worsteds. The Coral Rose - Fine Stretch Suiting will look stunning, perfect for a spring wedding!
Vogue Dress V9326 will really emphasises the drape quality of these fabulous wool worsteds. This pattern is a superbly elegant coat dress with full circular skirt and cinched waist which has a simple ‘grown on’ sleeved bodice, featuring a neat shawl collar.
Dare to be different by making a fabulous colour-blocked dress, with our range of coordinating plain suiting fabrics in bright to jewel tones. The Vogue Dress V1555 is a semi-fitted shift dress with fabulous front and back colour blocked insert details. This lined dress has a simple shape with boat neck and ¾ length sleeves. Choose either of the Superfine Twill Worsteds (in Prussian Blue, Winter Plum or Spice) for the ultimate power dress which will fill you with confidence! Perfect for A/W work-wear or dinner parties.
Saving the best till last, a special mention for a close friend of Fabworks, Wendy Ward; prominent sewist, author and sewing teacher. We have just received our copy of her latest book - Sewing Basics for Every Body that is available from January 14th 2020 onwards. Like all Wendy’s books this one is jampacked with versatile patterns suitable for quite literally every body and of course includes all the hints tips and instructions you will need to make them.
The Harper Pants is a fabulous pattern that has various options for creating either super smart pleated-front trousers, or ones with clever pleated & narrowed hemlines (to create a more harem style).
The Rowan Shirt is a classic shirt pattern with a multitude of pattern hacks to suit different styles. We love the shirtdress with bib front which will look amazing made in contrasting suiting fabrics.
Finally; a superb jumpsuit- the Kim Jumpsuit, which can be made with different styling options, for versatility. This is a wardrobe staple that will look amazing in a suiting fabric and is perfect for dressing up or dressing down.
So… here we have given you some new ideas for what to make with our suiting fabrics, if you aren’t a convert yet, head over to our suiting blog and you’ll be armed with all you need to know as well as a handy list of inspirational pattern ideas too! It goes without saying that suiting fabrics are what they say on the tin. They are designed to be tailored, but tailored doesn’t mean boring suit jacket and plain trousers. Tailored means tailored exactly to your liking whether it is casual & relaxed or smart & sophisticated. Suitings are so versatile you’ll wonder why you’ve not tried them before. Use the fabric to suit your needs! (pun intended).
We’ve put together some of our favourite suiting fabrics in a specially selected collection, including the ones that are mentioned in this article and many others, that we think know are super for all sorts of feminine style and that you will love!