What can you do with 1.5 yards of fabric?
Ive been working on a new app to figure out what I have and what I don’t have as far as fabric and patterns goes that some days I want to make something quickly (like a tshirt or an A-line skirt) and I don’t know what I have because well I’ve purchased things with big dreams and very little time. SO I’ve been working on this app and also saving things on it. It’s been enlightening to say the least. I’m still a good month away to releasing this baby but today let’s talk about what the heck can you do with 1.5 yards of fabric.
As always I use size 20 to find these little gems and around 55 to 60” wide fabric.. If you are smaller than a size 20 then you are in luck!
A. Ellie Shorts - Atelier Jupe - The next two patterns come in as a two-for-one special on their website. I actually made the shorts from an uneven remnant that I had laying around.
B. Sophie Top - Atelier Jupe - This is a nice little pattern to make if you have some nice fabric but don’t have a lot of it. Its quick, easy and instructions are actually pretty good. Would you rather just do something a little bit easier if you have the Azure Dress pattern from Closet Core, View C is just the top and it takes 1.5 yards of fabric. The dress is absolutely beautiful but it is a fabric hog at 5 yards BUT if you do get to make it, it is beautiful dress.
C. Quilted Vest Pattern - Free download from Purl Soho or use any quilted vest pattern - sizing is up to XL but all you need is 1.5 yards of quilted fabric and lining but I feel these are all things that we have laying around our sewing space from leftovers aka remnants. Don’t have lining fabric perhaps a silky fabric will do or a light weight fleece.
D. Bucket Hat Pattern - Here is another free download, this one from Merchant and Mills. It uses half a meter of fabric. Got some leftover canvas, gabardine, 13 to 11 ounce denim laying around and don’t know what to do? Perhaps you have some pretty leftover liberty fabric that you can use for the lining. Make some hats.
E. Brynn Cropped Cardigan from True Bias - The weather is all over by me but fall is indeed on its way. What a better use of some leftover knit to make a cropped cardigan you can wear this with a cute pair of shorts or with a pair of long pants or jeans. Do you live down south? She also has this pattern as a vest, so if it’s 80’s you can still let the good times roll.
F. Dern Shorts from Daughter Judy Patterns - Online it says you will need 1-5/8 yards of fabric. Guess what? All I had from that leftover Joann’s stretch twill was one and I was able to cut a size 20 for this pattern. I used some leftover liberty fabric for pockets and even to do a few finishes with bias tape. So it can be done with 1 yard of fabric. If you prefer to use a Big Four Pattern try Simplicity S3137 that one calls for 1-1/8 yard.
G. Itch to Stitch Vienna Tank Pattern - I thought this was so beautiful with the neckline. I’m thinking a Swiss dot would look lovely in this pattern. Its a really nice pattern because you can use knit fabric and mix it with some wovens.
H. Uvita Top from Itch to Stitch - Here is another one from Itch to Stitch and this time this is a free pattern with a wide neckline and dropped shoulders to be used with knit fabrics. Great it you are a beginner because you don’t have to deal with inserting sleeves if you are a beginner.
I. Pleat Top from Alamain Studio - So I have seen plenty of people make this asymmetrical top and I can see why you would be ok with 1.1 to 1.5 Meters (which is really 1.6 yards) of fabric if you were on the upper side of the larger size range. For size 20 which would get on the larger size range I’m fairly certain you can make this with 1.5 yards of fabric.
I. Scarves - Can we talk about how many people have been accessorizing with scarves on their heads or perhaps even tying them around their waist? Yes do you have some beautiful silky fabric and looking to just accessorize? Cut a scarf or as a triangle and do a baby hem around it ( or a rolled hem) and voila. You can be part of the scarf as an accessory club.
Honorable mentions…
Patchwork fabrics - Colorblocking or patchwork designs. If all else there is always plenty of fabric needed for pockets, lining, facings or stays, etc.
