SEWING PROJECTS by Marion Barry

  What a fun pattern and gorgeous fabric for this tunic to play around in during a recent trip to New Orleans. The city is nicknamed “The Big Easy” and I would say the same for this pattern! It was fun to consider various ways to highlight the border print on this beautiful viscose challis from Italy available from Elliott Berman Textiles (@EBTfabrics). Interior studio photos were taken at the fabulous Papermaple Studio in New Orleans (@papermaplestudio).        RV-7858W Border Print Viscose Challis, Italy   PATTERN: To highlight the unique border print accompanying this fun floral center I...

  I loved this fun and colourful Celebration print viscose wool knit as soon as I saw it! I’ve never seen a print like this and I thought it would be perfect for a holiday dress. I’ve also never worked with a fabric with this composition - it’s 90% viscose and 10% wool. I washed the fabric by hand and then spread it on a towel to dry, just to make sure I wouldn’t damage it in the machine. That’s how I’ll be washing my final garment anyway.        My initial plan was to make the Sew Over...

Fabric as Inspiration This was a case when the fabric inspired the project. From alternating white and blue stripes reminding us of a nautical style to white stripes resembling rows of pearls - this fabric screams Chanel. I’ve always wanted to try my hands at a Chanel-inspired boucle jacket and this fabric didn’t leave me a choice not to.   Supplies I love to spend time and resources to get just the right supplies for my projects. One of the tried and loved places is Bias Bespoke Supply Co https://www.biasbespoke.com based in NYC’s garment district. I’ve sourced from them the perfect silver...

What fun to be able to break away from winter and enjoy some ocean views and sunshine. I really enjoyed making and wearing a colorful V-neck tee using this fabulous tropical print viscose and lycra jersey knit from Italy available at Elliott Berman Textiles (@EBTfabrics). This fabric washes beautifully, is easy to work with and is so flattering to wear.     PATTERN: I used The Perfect T-Shirt pattern from Pamela’s Patterns. I’ve made variations of this pattern many times and must agree, it’s perfect! You have optional necklines, hemlines and sleeve lengths from which to choose. For this winter...

Dame Vivienne Westwood (unconventional British fashion designer, businesswoman, environmental activist) created this beautiful textile now available at Elliot Berman Textiles (@EBTfabrics). This is a gorgeous virgin wool and cashmere blend from Italy and is sold by the panel. Since I live in a warmer climate, I don’t have a lot of experience sewing with wool. No longer! This fabric was a dream to work with, is comfortable to wear and this print certainly makes a statement!   PATTERN: What to do with this gorgeous statement making panel? I considered a hooded cape with the phrase STOP CLIMATE CHANGE along the...