I have been subscribed to the fibremood sewing magazine for a while. Although I had spotted quite a few models that I liked, I had never taken the time to sew them yet. 

These last months have been so busy that I had religiously put little post-its on the pages of the models that interested me in the different issues I received to be able to sew them when I would have more time... I didn't really have more time 🤣 but I took it, day after day to sew the Gladys blouse.

Step by step, it was able to come to life and I tell you about my Fibremood adventure! 

Fibremood: what is it?

Once is not customary, let's be chauvinistic... Fibremood is Belgian! Composed of a small team of passionate people, Fibremood was born in June 2018! 

Their motto: "Make it Yours! Create, Share, Inspire"

Indeed, Fibremood's mission is to create inclusive patterns (up to size 60) to dress "the sewista" who is, according to their own words: "a trendy, enthusiastic woman who loves beautiful fabrics and fashion trends. Passionate about sewing, the sewista transforms every scrap of fabric into a magnificent garment."

Fibremood sells patterns through their magazine which comes out every two months at newsstands or which arrives directly at home via their subscription system. You can also buy them in PDF via the website; or have a 100% digital subscription.

For my part, I chose the paper subscription... I hate assembling the A4 pages of patterns, and I find that A0 prints give me quite a steep bill. #Team paper forever... let's get back to Fibremood...

Fibremood is also an active community especially on Instagram. It's great to get feedback from other members and to see their creations before sewing one model yourself. They also organize sew alongs 9 times a year. 

The Fibremood magazine: how does it work?

I told you I chose the paper subscription which I therefore receive every two months in my mailbox. 

Each issue consists of +/- 12 models including simple variations (for example a dress that can become a blouse, a sleeve that can be shortened...) which allow sewing the same models several times.

The models are presented through fashion photos at the beginning of the magazine. The patterns sheets are found in the middle of the magazine. Finally, the explanatory assembly diagrams are at the end of the magazine. 

Warning: there is no text on the assembly diagrams which strongly resemble those found in Japanese sewing books. If you want the explanations in text, you will have to go to the Fibremood website to read them. If you have a good sewing level, the diagrams are sufficient on their own; if you are a beginner, I advise you to use the explanations on the website. 

My only regret is that there is no feature article in the magazine. I would have liked to have a designer portrait, a report on a haute couture workshop, an upcycling initiative... In short, I find it a bit lacking.

The Gladys pattern

For my beginnings with Fibremood, I selected the Gladys blouse/dress from magazine 17 of 2021 (which can be purchased on the Fibremood website for €12.5).

I fell for this pattern because I had wanted for a long time to sew a piece with ruffles and I found the arrangement of them original with this square collar inspired by a sailor collar. I really like the front button placket. I decided to make the blouse. 

For your information, this pattern is available from size 32 to 60 and is rated difficulty level 2 out of 5. 

Supplies to sew Gladys

I find that for fabric choices, Fibremood doesn’t take many risks and leaves way too many possibilities for fabric selection. It’s great for creativity but I think it doesn’t help beginners who then hesitate a lot before starting. For my part, I chose a lightweight cotton poplin. 

To sew Gladys, you will therefore need:

• Sewing thread matching the chosen fabric
• Fusible interfacing: max. 40 cm 
• Buttons (Ø 1.1 cm): 6 (dress) - 7 (blouse) 
• Fabric 
• and since I modified Gladys... 2m of 20mm bias tape, I explain this below if you want to make the same modifications

My experience with Gladys and the modifications

I chose to copy the pattern in size 34 according to the size chart. I added the seam allowances as recommended in the magazine's diagram. There are no notable difficulties at this stage.

I chose a very summery 100% cotton poplin available in my shop and that had been catching my eye for a long time 🤣... anyway let's say it was the occasion to test it!

For the assembly, I chose to follow the diagrams without the written explanations and it is quite doable. 

The technical points are: 

• the assembly of the ruffle (with gathers and corners)
• the placement of the neckline bias
• the sewing of the button placket directly
• the making of the sleeve slit and sleeve cuff
• the placement of the sleeve (without gathers with easing of the sleeve cap)
• the placement of buttonholes and buttons
• the bottom hem
• and for those who make the dress version with the casing, you have to make the casing...

For a dress rated 2 out of 5, that seems really a lot to me! I think it would be more fitting at 3 or even 4 out of 5. I don't see a seasoned beginner happy with their finishes at such a difficulty level! 

Let's talk about my experience

I completed the first steps of assembling the ruffle without modifications.

Then, I chose to make a hidden bias for the neckline of my blouse, I found this finish very neat. 

I sewed the button plackets directly according to the instructions.  

Then, I tackled the sleeves, slits, and cuffs... I assembled them and tried on my blouse. I really didn't like the look which I found old-fashioned. So I took the sleeves apart and chose to make a new hidden bias to finish the armhole. I chose a leftover pink bias that matched well with the flowers on my blouse. I had to be clever to make the second stitch and not sew into the ruffle. So I did my seam in two steps. 

I tried my blouse again without the sleeves and I liked it much more! ... Then the waist emphasis remained to be solved ...

I chose the buttons (with sequins of course) to finish the button placket. 

I made the hems and tried it on. Since I wasn't satisfied with the straight cut of the model and wanted to emphasize my waist, I cut the sleeve fabric to make myself a 2cm wide belt. And it's perfect, I really prefer it with the belt. 

Next time, I will cut the model at the waist and make a flared peplum; I think that will suit my tastes better. 

There you go, first fibremood experience validated even though I modified the assembly of my blouse and the finishes quite a bit. 

I already have the next model in sight... do you have any idea?