I have chemises from a variety of fabrics, and I love them all (linen, silk, cotton gauze and cotton broadcloth). I've been wanting to try something different--like maybe using some sheer cottons, to see how they'd drape/flow differently than the handkerchief-weight linen I've used in the past. I have samples from Silk Road of their voile, batiste, and lawn--and I honestly can't tell the difference among them. ??? They all seem to have about the same weight and hand.
Has anyone used these sheer cottons for a nice chemise (or similar garment)? How did it turn out? Do you have tips or pictures to share?
Gramercy!
There's only one way to resolve this one, Gem: make one of each! ;D
Kate, did I mention I got the winged/flanged needle to go with my new machine, so it can mimic pulled threadwork? Now, I do my pulled threadwork by hand, but the swatch of sample "heirloom" stitches made me a little bit insane. LOL It was like a gorgeous whitework sampler.
Well I have a chemise of batiste and was my first one. Its quite comfortable and wears really well. However now that I have a linen one I'll never go back to cotton because the linen keeps me cooler in the hot days. Works really nice at staying warm in the cold too. The batiste is fine as long as I don't put on a doublet but once it get pressed against me, there is no place for the heat to escape.
Though I haven't made it yet I do have some cotton lawn that will eventually be turned into a camicia.
Only because I can't find 100% linen lawn fabric at a reasonable price.
I like lawn. Its great for really sheer upper class partlets and smocks.
Quote from: Artemisia on January 07, 2009, 03:31:50 PM
Though I haven't made it yet I do have some cotton lawn that will eventually be turned into a camicia.
Only because I can't find 100% linen lawn fabric at a reasonable price.
Here you go. http://www.fabric-store.com/ Best prices anywhere on good linen! Their customer service is excellent too!
Quote from: gem on January 07, 2009, 01:09:44 PM
Kate, did I mention I got the winged/flanged needle to go with my new machine, so it can mimic pulled threadwork? Now, I do my pulled threadwork by hand, but the swatch of sample "heirloom" stitches made me a little bit insane. LOL It was like a gorgeous whitework sampler.
Those needles are FUN! And any of these cloths would respond perfectly to a little 'heirloom' treatment at the hem...
Quote from: Master James on January 07, 2009, 04:00:57 PM
Here you go. http://www.fabric-store.com/ Best prices anywhere on good linen! Their customer service is excellent too!
/start slight threadjack/
Thanks. I've already purchased hundreds of yards of linen from them. The lightest I was able to purchase was 2.8oz. I agree, the best prices anywhere.
But what I'm looking for an even lighter weight. Something to what Gem wants to use - a lawn/gauze weight which is extremely lightweight. It can be found in cotton for a reasonable price but hard to find in linen.
These are the only sites I've come across:
http://www.manhattanfabrics.com/catalogue.cgi?ddisplay=2989
http://www.lin-net.com/English/Linnet_origin_colec4.html
$22.50/yard? No thanks.
/end slight threadjack/