opinions on fabric

[isabelladangelo]

The problem you'll have there is that's upholstery fabric.     It may have a special backing and it will be quite heavy. 

A black and gold damask  The price is per a yard but it's well work it.

Honestly, if I hadn't just dropped $200 on ribbons, this would be mine  Yes, it's pricey but trust me, you will be the envy of absolutely everyone with this one

How to search on ebay:

gold jacquard yard* -(upholstery, trim)

Above is your search terms you need.  Switch out gold with any color you like and switch out jacquard for damask if you want to change up your results.  This will keep most of the trims and upholstery fabrics out of your results and only search for items that have yardage.  Make sure you have the "search description" button clicked as well or you won't get a good quantity.    This search won't work in etsy or on google given the different search requirements they have on each.

[DonaCatalina]

That last fabric is not bad at all. Viscose in its most commercial form is rayon. It has a silky feel, and is used extensively for clothing manufacture. Though it breathes like cotton and has a good drape, it can wrinkle easily and shrink in hot water.
I use a lot of this type of fabric because of its breathe-ability and reasonable price. It also does not fray easily like polyester or acetate. In my avatar, the blue dress is a 100% cotton woven jacquard. But the sleeves and underskirt are 55% cotton/ 45% viscose. They were originally tan and I died them paprika.

[Ser Niall]

$12.00 shipping for that first fabric.. yikes.  Looks nice though.

That pure silk brocade is definitely sexy.

This looks very nice as well, from the same seller: http://www.ebay.com/itm/100-Pure-Silk-Brocade-fabric-Gold-metallic-Black-color-/251111951734?pt=US_Fabric&hash=item3a77704d76#ht_6331wt_1166

The problem you'll have there is that's upholstery fabric.    It may have a special backing and it will be quite heavy.  

A black and gold damask  The price is per a yard but it's well work it.

Honestly, if I hadn't just dropped $200 on ribbons, this would be mine  Yes, it's pricey but trust me, you will be the envy of absolutely everyone with this one

How to search on ebay:

gold jacquard yard* -(upholstery, trim)

Above is your search terms you need.  Switch out gold with any color you like and switch out jacquard for damask if you want to change up your results.  This will keep most of the trims and upholstery fabrics out of your results and only search for items that have yardage.  Make sure you have the "search description" button clicked as well or you won't get a good quantity.    This search won't work in etsy or on google given the different search requirements they have on each.

[Ser Niall]

Does anyone have an opinion about silk blend brocades?  I've found several that are 80/20 silk/poly and I'm wondering how the breathablility of the fabric is, ease of use, shine, etc.  In terms of cost, the blends are half the price of similar fabric in 100% silk.

[Kate XXXXXX]

If you don't need a slippery lining to slide the finished garment over other clothes, line it with linen.  All the silk blend brocades I've used have been fine for the purpose, but I don't wear them in high temperature or high humidity  activities or events.

[stonebiscuit]

Isabella, that silk brocade is making me weak in the knees.

[isabelladangelo]

Silk brocades have been relatively easy to use - not horrible- but will start to fray a bit if you happen to leave the project out for five months and your dog thinks the various pieces make a great bed despite having the pins still in them.    Typically, it's the metallic portions that are man-made fibers so you will probably be fine with any mostly silk blend.   It will be warm on hot days but it won't be overbearingly so.  If you want something that is good for hot, humid days (say MDRF in late August!) I'd go with linen and just add trim.   You'll be able to breathe.  However, if you are looking something more for those blessed 80F days, the silk brocade will be fine. 

Isabella, that silk brocade is making me weak in the knees.

Isn't it gorgeous?  I love a lot of their stuff.   However, I already bought ummm...2 1/2 yards of silk organza and enough ribbon to last me until 2015?  Because, as we all know, if you see a matching dress and hat trim - you totally need it.   Even if it is saftey cone orange.   Just because the gathers go so well for 18th C.  And then there were all the 1/8" narrow velvet trims that are so perfect for couching or making a new partlet...

[Lady Kathleen of Olmsted]

Silk Brocade is wonderful to work with. Though I made sure I serged my edges because it does fray.

Sir Niall. Here is an eaarly 17th Century ensemble I did in a Silk Brocade I was very lucky to find on Sale at the Fabric Wharehouse I often shop at...



Closeup of the pattern...

[Ser Niall]

What would be good to use as main fashion fabric if I go with a solid doublet color, and then add trims for embellishment?  Twill seems thick and sturdy enough, but there aren't many color options at Joanns.  The "regular" 4.99 type cotton cloth (I guess this is broadcloth?)  comes in every color you can think of, but doesn't seem thick enough.  I don't really want to dye anything either.

[Lady Kathleen of Olmsted]

Have you signed up to get the Coupon fliers in the mail from JoAnn's or Hancocks?? Coupons come in handy on fabrics that are not on sale. JoAnn's takes competitor coupons for fabric and Notions. They have been having super sales lately.

Also, the Decorator fabric Section usually has good sales of 40 and 50% off per yard of thier 54" fabrics. A Decorator fabric with a  slight pattern and trim/piping is plenty for a Doublet.

Sometimes it helps to go online and research various Doublet/Slops combos that strike your fancy. Look at various photo albums from other faires on this forum to see how people dress.

I like using Medium Wale Corduroy for Doublets and Slops. AS well as Cotton Brocades, Jacquards. AS much Cotton fibers, the better for wear and breathability.

A lot of information to digest. Hope this helps.

[isabelladangelo]

What would be good to use as main fashion fabric if I go with a solid doublet color, and then add trims for embellishment?  Twill seems thick and sturdy enough, but there aren't many color options at Joanns.  The "regular" 4.99 type cotton cloth (I guess this is broadcloth?)  comes in every color you can think of, but doesn't seem thick enough.  I don't really want to dye anything either.

Linen.  Heavy linen if you want but a medium weight linen also works.  Joanns coupons are good but have you also signed up for fabric.com's coupons and emails?   Joanns has some gorgeous linen right now in a variety of colors (I'm a sucker for their purple).  It is pricy but that's why there are coupons.   Don't go with cotton - it won't look right.  Not a huge variety of color but I know fabric.com's linen is good.  They have a lot more than what I posted as well - this was just one of the 100% linen categories they have up.  

Tropical weight wool is also a great option.  You just missed the fabric.com's sale on that.  They still have some wool but the color choices are sparse.   

[gem]

Linen, twill, and corduroy are all great choices.

I think it's harder to find good colors in twill, however, than the other two. Linen and corduroy come in gads and gads of colors--but often you can only find the right weight of twill in Docker's colors--various shades of khaki. And unlike corduroy and linen, it can be hard to judge twill weight without feeling it. I wanted to use twill for one side of a doublet I'm making my FIL this year. I couldn't find anything locally at all, and the first swatches I ordered online were either the wrong color (bright pumpkin orange instead of a nice deep rust) or the wrong weight (too lightweight/soft) or both. I finally hit on a decent medium blue brushed twill--but it took effort, and I have a lot of fabric-buying experience. I wouldn't recommend it to a beginner!

You can't go wrong with corduroy, though. It's my go-to solid for bodices and doublets. I like that there's a little bit of textural interest, which is nice if you're trying for a slightly different look than linen. (The only reason I didn't use it on FIL's is b/c I was already using it as an accent color on the other side.)

[Ser Niall]

Awesome suggestions, thanks.

I probably seem like I have some kind of costume ADD right now    I ended up shelving my original costume concept until a later date.  I really want that one to look regal to match my girlfriend's outfit, but I want to research the exact look I want, with the fabrics I want, etc.  What I'm doing in the mean time is upgrading my peasant-looking garb into something a bit more middle class.

I ended up going to Joann's today with a handful of 50% off one item coupons, plus a 20% off entire order coupon.  I found some nice corduroy fabric that I'm going to use for the doublet body, and I'm using a different color corduroy for the breeches.  I found a brocade remnant with a neat vine pattern on clearance that will be large enough to use for the sleeves, wings, and upper shoulder portion of the doublet.  The colors will coordinate with the hose, shirt, and hat that I already have.  The design will be much simpler, and will be an easier starting point for me.

[isabelladangelo]

Something to keep in mind if you are going towards the H/A, they didn't have corduroy until the 17th C and it looks like a late comer even then.   Also, the corduroy they had was different from today.   

[Lady L]

I also really like corduroy. It comes in various wales and even no wale, which looks like velveteen. It's cotton, so it's washable, which is a big plus for me. Available in many colors and usually reasonably priced.