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Francesca

@madeby_francesca

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🌻 Sharing Outfits & Opinions
🪡 Mostly sewing but I love all crafts
🎒Adventures in gear-making // MYOG
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Me Made May Introduction! 🥰 CAPTION: Hi, my name is Francesca, I started sewing in late 2020, and my love for this hobby has blossomed into making myself a fully handmade wardrobe. Sometimes I’m even a little selfless, and sew for my friends and family too, but mostly just because I love a matchy moment.   I also make my own gear for hiking and backpacking. I also quilt, knit, and recently learned how to crochet.   I’m a teacher and love to stand out in my colorful and comfy clothes. Documenting my outfits helps me play with my wardrobe and discover new combos I love.   Thanks for following along on this crazy making journey, I love the community I’ve met through sewing and am excited for Me Made May! #memademay #memademay2024 #sewing #myog #knitting #handmadewardrobe by @madeby_francesca
🥰🥰🥰 After a mighty whirlwind of a time learning to work with down for the first time I did it, it’s done and I’m freaking PROUD! This was a big MYOG challenge for me and honestly I feel like I can make anything after this 🙌🏼 I saved a chaotic step by step in my story highlights (called “Down Quilt”) and just published a much more cohesive blog post (link in bio) documenting this process! The TLDR is below: SPECS: •This quilt is 57” wide at the top and 40” wide at the bottom, and 72” long. • top half has vertical baffles and bottom half has horizontal baffles • final weight is 24.4oz with approx 18oz of ~600FP down • fully convertible from blanket to quilt using a 30” long separating zipper and cinch cord on the bottom • 2inch high loft which should be comfortable down to the ~20 degree F range (not tested) MATERIALS: *Fabric is from @ripstopbytheroll and was purchased as a part of my Maker Sponsorship.* • Outer: MEMBRANE 15 Polyester Taffeta, printed with OutdoorINK using a design I found on @canva • Lining: 0.75oz MEMBRANE 10 Ripstop Nylon • Baffles: 0.67oz Noseeum Mesh • separating zipper is from @wawaksewing and KAM snaps are from Amazon DOWN: the greatest gift of this project is the down that came from a Frostline sleeping bag kit shipped in 1973! My coworker thrifted this kit and gave it to me last year. After measuring the down and finding a tag in the original kit I determined it is 600FP goose down. All the down was perfectly packaged to make filling the bag a breeze 🙌🏼 TIME/COST: this took me probably 20 hours over 3 days, but documenting it added a lot of time. While I didn’t pay for the materials the fabric would have cost $66, and 600 FP down isn’t really available on the market so I can’t estimate that cost. Anyway, if you’re curious about the process please check my highlights and blog but I’m happy to answer any questions here! Thanks for all the love and support while I made this, truly meant a lot to have folks cheering me on! 🥰 #myog #ripstopbytheroll #outdoorink #sewing #downquilt #ultralightbackpacking #handmadegear #frostline #frostlinekit by @madeby_francesca
My latest & greatest pack! ✨ I wanted a sub 2lb, ~40L framed pack, with cushy and supportive shoulder straps + hipbelt, lots of outer pockets, Y strap, & a pop of color! Mission accomplished ✅✅✅ it weighs 30oz on the dot which feels like a miracle considering how many components I added 🥳 I designed this pack myself, over the course of several weeks and dozens of hours on my computer. Various pieces are heavily modified components of the TH50 and Fastpack (see last pic) and drew on inspiration from many of my favorite pack makers. MATERIALS - almost all from @ripstopbytheroll : •main body is ULTRA 400 @challengesailcloth •contrast fabric is EPX200 custom printed with an OutdoorINK design i made on @canva •upper & side pocket is ULVenom Mesh • lower pocket is polynet Internal lining is HyperD300 • I used 3/8” foam for the shoulder straps and hipbelt • frame stays are UL frame stays from @sockdolagerequipment Full disclosure I would not work with this fabric again. The weave is held together by the laminate layer, and any punctures weaken that weave and increase the potential for delamination. As a result i meticulously taped every seam, which added a lot of time but it still makes me nervous. I really hope it holds up for the long haul. I made the hipbelt & shoulder straps removable so I can use them on any future packs should I dabble in this particular vice again. See my story highlight for the FULL and chaotic behind the scenes. Took it on a quick overnighter and packed it full - held up great & im excited to put many miles on her! 🙏🏼Special thanks to Logan @thermal.lift for coming to the rescue with her laser cutter & industrial machine, Dan @sockdolagerequipment for walking me through the frame stays and general guidance, Tim @learnmyog for checking my pattern before I dove in, Scott @virginia_foothill_designs for sending me the final hardware I needed to finish & @ripstopbytheroll for the maker sponsorship! Y’all rock - thanks for being so helpful & supportive! #myog #myogbackpack #backpacking #ultralight #sewing #challengesailcloth #challengeultra #handmade #handmadegear by @madeby_francesca
When this beautiful fabric arrived, I couldn’t decide between making a top or a skirt, so I played some pattern Tetris and made both 🥰 Fabric: @minervadotcom Cotton Lawn, in @melissalowrydesign Brisa Floral (gifted) TOP: This is the Pleat Top by @alamain_studio I made size 8 and shortened the body 2in below the pleats. I fall between sizes 6-10, so felt 8 was appropriate, and I like the fit! No projector file, and the instructions were fine but do note that this pattern uses random metric units throughout (3mm, 5mm, 6mm, 3cm, etc.) and even my machine that has metric units doesn’t have any guidelines for those. Of course, that’s not the end of the world but I pulled out my phone for conversions a few times. Worn with my BF Parker Pants in 9oz denim, and @stegmannclogs Tirol leather clogs SKIRT: This is my third Plain Jane Skirt from @neighborhoodpatterns. I just love how simple and easy to wear this is!! After my last version I realized I’ve been making one size smaller than where my measurements put me, so I made a size 4 this time, based on my waist measurement. This is the maxi view and my only mod was to shorten the pocket bags 1”, as I’ve done on my other versions as well (for personal preference, I don’t like having to lean down to retrieve things from my pocket!). Worn with my Jesse Tee (sleeves shortened 1.5” and cropped view lengthened 1”), and @stegmannclogs Ella Slides MEASUREMENTS: Bust: 32-33”, Waist: 27-28”, Hips: 37-38” - Can’t be more specific I am in FLUX these days 😅 PS- this was my first time straightening my hair since high school and I feel sooooo different! I also treated myself to some new makeup & I’m really into it! by @madeby_francesca
There’s no such thing as too many bags. Top: Agustina Boxy Top Skirt: Plain Jane Skirt Cardigan: Fennel Seed Jacket Backpack: Making Backpack Knitting bag: Firefly Tote Purse: Haralson Belt Bag Shoes: @stegmannclogs (🔗😘) Felt cute after a day at a conference. Details for each of these makes are on my grid! by @madeby_francesca
Kevin’s Madrone Pants (& Jesse Tee)! The second I finished my pair of madrones (& my Jesse tee a few months ago for that matter) he started begging for his own pair, and after a bunch of pattern mods, a fabric order, and a last minute pre-flight panic sew, here they are! Pattern: Madrone Pants by @sewliberated Size/Mods: I made him a size 6, two sizes below where the size chart places him. I used the 28” inseam and lengthened the inseam 2.5” and the rise 1”. When sewing the waistband I serged the raw edge, and folded it over 1.75” to make the elastic casing, essentially lengthening the rise another 0.5”. I also extended the front crotch hook 0.50” and I raised the side pockets 1” to account for the lengthening of the rise (which happens above the pockets). Ultimately, I think I could’ve just increased 0.5” rise and 0.5” to the hook, but I erred on the size of more crotch ease than too little. I also likely could’ve done 1.5” to the inseam as these are quite long, but I think that adds to the slouchy oversized look. Fabric: @blackbirdfabrics Lived In Cotton Twill (8.6-9oz) in the color smog I used Mara 70 for contrast top stitching and made the drawstring out of some scrap green linen to match the topstitching. Ultimately I consider these a huge success. They’re comfy and what Kevin wanted and to quote him “make me look like a zoomer who just got off a horse” 👍 He’s wearing a @truebias Jesse Tee in size 10 (matching his chest measurement) that was lengthened 3.5” out of 100% cotton with minimal stretch from @nickoftimefabric by @madeby_francesca
Some recent makes!! PANTS: I am normally a FIRM believer that pants out of fabric greater than 7oz needs to have a fly to be comfortable, but this pattern has changed my mind!!! Turns out I just hate elastic waist patterns with too much waist ease in bottom weights. Pattern: @bfpatterns Parker Pants (#bfparker) Size: I made size C, with the rise shortened 1” and the inseam shortened 2” at the respective L/S lines. My current waist is 27.5” and hips are 38” and I’m 5’3”. Size C is a partial size down for me, but as stated above, I want less ease when bottom weights meet elastic waistbands. Fabrics: Cream is 9 oz cotton denim from @nickoftimefabric and Green is 7oz cotton twill from Fabrics & Fabrics in LA. The cotton denim pair is PERFECT and the green version could use about 0.5” more rise in the center back despite being the exact same sizes SHIRTS: Green is the @sewhouse7 Regalia Blouse in size 2 (based on my 32” full bust measurement) no mods. Fabric is a lovely cotton block print from @fiberstofabric - my favorite source of block prints! Brown is the @truebias Jesse Tee in size 2, cropped length lengthened 1” and sleeves shortened 2”. All patterns except the Jesse have wonderful projector files, making these easy breezy makes! Both shoes are @stegmannclogs (🔗 in bio) by @madeby_francesca
Haralson Belt Bag 💛 I needed a nice bag I could wear on days I wear a backpack to work instead of the shoulder bag I typically prefer. The big downside to backpack days is having my hands full with my phones, sunglasses, keys, etc. that I dont want to lose access to by storing in the backpack. I wanted something slightly more elevated than a fanny pack, and after searching many patterns I landed on this beauty! Pattern: @noodlehead531 Haralson Belt Bag Fabric: outer leather & body are upholstery samples from my friend who works at a furniture store. The lining is 9oz bull denim and the zipper pocket linings are quilting cotton. All hardware is from @wawaksewing I didn’t make any mods to the pattern, and I love it as is! (Note: no projector file, so I had to digitally assemble the print at home pieces). by @madeby_francesca
Drift Skort 💙 I’m all in on exercise skorts, and this pattern is seriously perfect for everything from hiking and running, to lounging, to weight lifting! I love the subtle swoosh of the skirt, and the ample pockets at the waistband and on the shorts! (The shorts also pass the squat test! 🎉) Pattern: @fabricandflow Drift Skort (code “FRANCESCA” gets you a discount on the pattern & fabric kits 🥰) I made a size small correlating to my measurements, only mod was to not hem the skirt as I prefer the look of the raw edge there. I’m 5’3” so this plus not hemming the skirt makes it slightly longer on me than designed for. Fabric: @nickoftimefabric Navy Super-Stretch Matte Swimwear Tricot by Sportek 200 GSM I do LOVE @fabricandflow fabrics (see my four activewear makes this summer) but didn’t have time to order their fabrics and sew my test in time due to personal time constraints. I’d definitely recommend checking out their outfit kits, you can see all the fun combos I made using their athletic knits back on my grid! The pattern came together in about two hours in an evening, the projector file worked well and instructions are straight forward. I will definitely be making more!! Worn with @roadtrippatternco horizon sun hoodie out of @wearethefabricstore merino nylon, and a 5 panel cap I made out of stretch Taslan. by @madeby_francesca
Revisiting wrap skirts! @scrappylittlecaroline has been wearing her Jill Wrap Skirt a ton lately and every time I see it, I think it’s time for me to revisit wrap skirts! I made a few when I was at my smallest size several years ago, and when I wear those now they just don’t have enough coverage to feel comfortable wearing them to work. Pattern: @jessilous_closet Jill Wrap Skirt For this version I made a size 6 (I’m smack dab in between sizes 4 and 6), and this leads to enough overlap that a gust of wind won’t risk exposing me! I lengthened the mini length by 1” so it passes the finger tip rule and feels more work-appropriate (I’ll still wear bike shorts under). No other mods! Fabric: @fableism Welsummer Forest Forage Daisies, purchased from @sewtopia when I needed a pick me up a few weeks ago! Worn with a cropped @truebias Jesse Tee (sleeves cropped and body lengthened 1”), and clarks riding boots I thrifted for $12 yesterday!! This burnt orange color makes me so excited for more fall sewing! by @madeby_francesca
Fun Pants! Pattern: @sewliberated Madrone Pants Fabric: 9oz cotton/poly twill from @nickoftimefabric Details: I sized down one size from where my measurements put me and made a 4, with the 26” inseam. I made no mods, and found the projector file and instructions to be great. I *knew* from reading reviews on Thread Loop that the rise is quite short and I wish that I had used 1.5” elastic instead of 2” or done some other simple mod with the grown on waistband to give myself another 0.5-1” of rise. If I pull them up to my natural waist (which is what I’ve done here bc its my preference), the CB seam goes up my bum and leads to excess fabric there, and if I wear them naturally without pulling them up where I want them, then the waistband sits about an inch below my natural waist. All around - fun and quick make, quite similar to the Jigsaws in the meditative nature of the topstitching (& I’m sure it’ll come as a surprise to no-one that Kevin immediately asked for his own pair). PS I was chasing the sun around my yard trying to get the topstitching & bum bunching visible 😅 by @madeby_francesca
✨Magic✨ Fennel Seed Jacket by @handmade_by_florence Yarn from @knittingforolive (I accidentally added an extra buttonhole, OOPS still love it). by @madeby_francesca

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