Y\’all, I love leopard. I know that some people wear leopard print year round, but for some reason I just think it deserves that perfectly autumnal combination of glamour and coziness. Spring can have its preppy florals, and summer can have its nautical stripes, but fall means leopard! (That leaves winter with, um, three months of solid black.)
As part of the Style Maker Fabrics fall style blog tour, Michelle generously allowed us to pick a couple of fabrics to showcase our fall style, and probably thought I was totally crazy when I picked two leopard prints–but how could I choose when they were both so perfect! The first is this gorgeous sweater knit–it\’s 100% poly but it is so soft and snuggly. The second is a beautiful drapey rayon.
@_amandajbrown_ on instagram mentioned during \”print or solid\” day for #sewphotohop that her general rule is \”Sew a print to let the fabric shine, sew a solid and let the pattern shine\” which I think is a great way to think about it (although she also said that rules are made to be broken!). I decided to let the great leopard prints shine here and picked a couple of simple patterns, one vintage and one new! In addition to showcasing the great Style Maker Fabrics, it also showcases how versatile leopard print can be. Right? Right??
The dress is Simplicity 6820, a \”Jiffy\” pattern from 1966. I\’m thrilled with how this pattern showcases the fabric and I expect this will be a tried and true pattern for me–I love it! I cut a bit off the bottom and shortened the sleeves, but otherwise, this is unchanged. You can see it is quite voluminous without something to cinch the waist, but looks equally cute with the self-fabric sash or a coordinating belt. I love this look for work or play and since the soft, swishy rayon is the perfect pair to this pattern, I immediately went to check out the rest of the Style Maker Fabrics rayon selection.
The top is the Seamwork Elmira, a sweet ballerina-style wrap sweater. I was a bit reluctant to use a Seamwork pattern as I\’m frankly unimpressed with many of their samples, but the example they had for this one was really nice. Luckily it turned out wonderfully! This one in sweater knit is lovely and cozy, perfect for wrapping up in with a book and a cup of cocoa. I\’ve been wearing mine with a black tank and my Sewaholic leggings (seen here) or my black cigarette pants, but it would also look great over a full skirted dress in a coordinating solid. I\’m thinking I need a black version of Simplicity 4475 which I just made in navy… (That would be version #4… another tried and true pattern!)
Thank you to Style Maker Fabrics for providing the fabric for this post. Be sure to check out all the other fall looks–there\’s a great line up of participants. Next up, Erica!
xoxo,
you have done it again! two more makes that look great. I think I am going to copy your wrap sweater with that exact fabric! perfect with black pants for the fall and winter.
I love both the looks! I definitely need some more leopard print in my life!
You've made two super classy looks, both are fab and look great on
Oh I love this! Leopard is a favourite of mine and I'm so glad it's autumn now as it means it won't be long before I get to wear my leopard faux fur! Love the Ferragamo's too 😉
I'm loving the dress and that's a big thing because I'm just not a leopard print girl! What a fantastic new piece for your wardrobe!
Allie, you look so amazing in that leopard print, girl! I love the way you've used the fabric. I'm so inspired and can't WAIT to try Style Maker Fabrics. Nice job!
I am going to copy your sweater. I ordered from Style Maker Fabrics this morning! We will be twins!
You are totally convincing me that I need more leopard in my wardrobe- absolutely swooning over both of these makes- especially that dress- it look so comfortable and chic! *off to raid my local fabric shop for anything leopard*
Thank you, Carolyn! I love leopard but I haven't always, so I definitely understand not being a leopard print girl 🙂
I have plans to make this dress pattern in like, every color–looks great with a self-fabric sash or a belt, or topped with a jacket… I even just bought a knit pattern is basically the same shape so if I quit wearing real clothes and just wear mu mus don't blame me!
Thanks! I don't wear loads of prints but I can't resist a good leopard print when I find them!!
Yay!! I can't wait to see your version! The arms are a bit small so I would grade up towards the wrists 🙂
Thank you, Lynsey!
I do believe I remember that faux fur and I bet you look forward to wearing it all year–so glam!
In my opinion, everyone could use more leopard print!! 🙂
Thank you! That's how I wore it the other day! I think it will look great with solid color dresses as well.
I think it's always good to have a little animal print in your wardrobe….it's dramatic, timeless and yours are wonderful!
I think it's always good to have a little animal print in your wardrobe….it's dramatic, timeless and yours are wonderful!