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Faire Garb => Sewing => Topic started by: LadyShadow on May 26, 2011, 05:40:03 PM

Title: Fabric Ideas please.
Post by: LadyShadow on May 26, 2011, 05:40:03 PM
My sister has asked me to make her a dress. No problem.

I ask what colors and she tells me: Dark Blue and gold, Purple and gold, or Red and gold.
Still no problem.

Then I get this: (http://content.vcommerce.com/products/829/48187829/main-205.jpg)
And she is wanting this fabric. But I am not finding anything that I think matches this design in any of the colors she wants.

Can someone please help give me suggestions.

Thank you.
Title: Re: Fabric Ideas please.
Post by: gem on May 26, 2011, 05:53:15 PM
Well, first, what *kind* of gown is she looking for? I'm guessing Elizabethan or Tudor?

That looks like a lovely, understated, medium-scale damask or brocade. It would make a terrific forepart and sleeves. For the gown, I would pair it with a solid color velvet or velveteen or something similar with some texture to it. Add trims that pick up the velvet color and the gold and possibly add an accent color.

Because the gold fabric looks a little bronzey to me, I'd stick with the colors she's mentioned--blue, purple, or red. I don't think it would work as well with browns/rusts/greens. Also, black could be very striking.
Title: Re: Fabric Ideas please.
Post by: LadyShadow on May 26, 2011, 06:26:41 PM
Ooppps I knew I was forgetting to add a detail or two. I showed her different patterns and she liked the Margo Anderson's Elizabethan Dress.

Thanks Gem. I had seen a pretty purple velveteen but wasnt sure. I knew I would find great help here.
Title: Re: Fabric Ideas please.
Post by: isabelladangelo on May 26, 2011, 07:52:42 PM
I agree with Gem.   My only addition is that Ikea has some great velvet and you can always use cordless corduroy - Joanns has it in navy, burgundy, and purple.   It's a bit cheaper than most velvets and it's 100% cotton.
Title: Re: Fabric Ideas please.
Post by: Lady Kathleen of Olmsted on May 26, 2011, 10:35:49 PM


I concur with most here. With a print for a forepart and Sleeves, a Cotton Velveteen would work perfectly. Along with trim to pick up the contrast color.

I see more of a tarnished gold tint rather than reddish to the fabric. So a Dark Green, Navy Blue, Russet would work nicely.
Title: Re: Fabric Ideas please.
Post by: LadyShadow on May 31, 2011, 06:52:19 AM
Thankk you everyone. I gave her several color options in the fabric suggested and am waiting to see what she thinks.