Fabric advice

[Rowan MacD]

  I need some fabric sources and advice.   My next garb project (still in the planning stages),  my second ever, is a noble MA set for his/hers, and will be worn primarily in hot weather.

~I'm looking for a fabric that is rich looking but lightweight enough to wear in summer. So far, no luck at Joann's.
~All one color, preferably no pattern, but can have one if it's just a pattern woven into the cloth, like a brocade, but I'm trying to stay away from the shiny stuff. 
~Really, really hoping for a deep red (not Christmas red), like oxblood, but my second choice would be dark brown or perhaps another non bright primary color.


Suggestions for fabric types and advice on working with them would be very much appreciated!
 
 

   

[gem]

I would suggest wool, cotton damask, or a lightweight cotton velvet/velveteen or corduroy. Wool damask would be ideal, but it's pretty much impossible to find, and $$$$ if you could. Fabric.com (or Fabric Mart?) typically has good sales on wool, and Denver Fabrics/Fashion Fabrics Club carries a good variety of nice cotton damask, although they take forever to ship and don't do swatches. Silk, of course, is another option, but it's a little warmer to wear in the heat and has a definite luster that you may not want. The velvet/velveteen/corduroy (fine wale or no wale) option will look very rich. We actually have quite a lot of garb in cotton velvets and corduroy, and it does fine in the heat. Not as cool and breezy as linen, of course, but as long as you're aware of the cut, underpinnings, ventilation, sleeves, etc, it can work really well.

[isabelladangelo]

Joanns had some lovely linen cotton damasks blends a couple of seasons ago.   It just happened to be a nice shade of red (I'd call it sort of a dark terracota).  Not helpful now, of course, but such a fabric does exist.   :-)  You might want to look for 100% linen tablecloths.   You can always dye a white one very easily.   If you get a long rectangular tablecloth, you can cut it up for a bodice and skirt.  Since it's hot weather garb, you don't need sleeves.   

[Rowan MacD]

 cotton damask and velveteen on are on my list then!

[DragonWing]

Sev just posted about Carolina Calicoes. They have some nice looking cotton demasks and good price. Web link is in that post.

[LordPaulet]

medium weight short pile cotton velvet.  my character wears several layers of the stuff and i still keep from sweating. syfabrics.com click velvets

[Rowan MacD]

medium weight short pile cotton velvet.  my character wears several layers of the stuff and i still keep from sweating. syfabrics.com click velvets

Thanks! I really really love cotton velvet and velveteen, but it's only every once on a great while I will find the stuff on sale for less than $15.00 yd.    My project needs at least 10 to start....It just occurred to me that If I could find some complimentary fabric, I could piece together something visually interesting and most importantly cool......That's the plan for this weekend!

[DonaCatalina]

If you don't mind spending the time, you can also embellish a woven cotton jacquard with pearls and gold embroidery.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/6-yds-Covington-Woven-Jacquard-chenille-color-rust-/271133057751?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3f20ca22d7

[Cilean]

 



Rowen? Might I ask you to join another group,  there is an Elizabethan Costume Group on Yahoo, and we are discussing how to plan, discuss, research, a Tudor Outfit from the Skin Out.  You might want to join in the learning there? We do have loads of information as well here, but we are doing this step by step on the yahoo group: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Elizabethan-Garb/


Cilean

[Lady Kathleen of Olmsted]

I like gem's suggestion of a Cotton Pinwale Corduroy. That fabric trends to be lighter in weight, yet rich looking. It also pleats devinely as well. Be sure to check sales that may be going on.

I have worn my velveteen gowns when it has been very warm with little problem of overheating. But do observe the rules of hydraytion, liesurely pace, and portable shade.

[DonaCatalina]

If you look hard enough you can also find cotton waleless corduroy. I once had a royal purple gown made of it.
http://www.etsy.com/listing/12411883/pumpkin-colored-wale-less-corduroy

[Mademoiselle D]

Look for damasks or jacquard fabrics with no more then a 60% cotton, 40% poly blend.  This will help in breathability in the summer heat.  I've had luck with home decorating stores rather than Joann's.  One website I really like if Decorative Fabrics Direct, you can order swatches of the fabric for $2 or less to see if the fabric will work for you and they have quite the extensive collection.