I made a french gown a few years ago, and I LOVE the kirtle, but I am finding the gown way too heavy and hot to wear. I think that I was very heavy handed in the used of duck interlining and in the boning and in the lining, so I want to make a new french gown that is lighter and easier to wear. Since the kirtle is cranberry, I'm finding it a bit challenging to find another fabric that goes well with it. Today, at Joann's, I bought a yard of this fabric to see how it works with the kirtle. It actually goes very well with it, but it is more synthetic than I usually go for. The picture doesn't really do it justice, it's a bit shinier in the gold parts in person. Do you think it would be good for the french gown?
(http://www.joann.com/images/10/32/9/xprd103296_m.jpg)
hmmm, maybe I'll try taking a picture of the fabric to get closer to what it really looks like... but opinions definitely welcomed! :)
Okay, I feel really stupid, lol... I just went to take a picture of the fabric to show how shiny it is, and I realized the pictures don't look like the picture above... I was looking at the other side of the fabric. ::) It's way less shiny on the side pictured. This is the other side:
(http://www.projectcyan.com/photos/frenchgown2/damask.JPG)
Jacqueline, I used the wrong side of that fabric as a forepart for my Tudor Gown.
(http://centuries-sewing.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/blacktudor4.jpg)
A few things to keep in mind if you use this fabric, it likes to fray and it is I believe 100% polyester rather then a blend which won't help you much if you want to keep cool.
As to if it is good for a French Gown, which type/era of French Gown?
This woman used it to make a 1570's French Gown, http://www.trystancraft.com/costume/16thc/valois/index.html
Wow, you are GOOD!!! : ) I was thinking of a gown just like the one in my avatar, and like the one in your picture. I would use my existing cranberry kirtle, and this would be the over gown. I generally pick very plain gowns, (see my avatar), so I was looking for something a bit more eye catching, and I thought the gold and cranberry are pretty together. I just don't want it to be over done or obviously synthetic. And per the website, it's 45% poly, %55 viscose, which is similar to rayon. Does that make it not breathable?
Quote from: Jacqueline de Rohan on May 27, 2010, 09:40:28 PM
And per the website, it's 45% poly, %55 viscose, which is similar to rayon. Does that make it not breathable?
Correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't rayon and viscose two different names for the same fiber? As I wrote in another thread, I find that fiber rather comfortable. I have several "mundane" clothes made of it, and it is both soft and breathes. But I don't know how it behaves when mixed with polyester.
Very like polycotton. :)
It'll be great for cooler days. Expect to boil in anything over 75...
I made a gown from a viscose fabric before I knew about natural fabrics and I could only stand wearing it for half an hour in 30C weather. It was a much simpler gown, just an unlined t-tunic worn over a cotton tunic (the faire was Arthurian).