Fabric opinions sought...

[Valencia]

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?



hmmm, maybe I'll try taking a picture of the fabric to get closer to what it really looks like... but opinions definitely welcomed!

[Valencia]

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:

[CenturiesSewing]

Jacqueline, I used the wrong side of that fabric as a forepart for my Tudor Gown.



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

[Valencia]

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?

[operafantomet]

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.

[Kate XXXXXX]

Very like polycotton.   

It'll be great for cooler days.  Expect to boil in anything over 75...

[PrincessSara]

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).