Fabric help

[pez]

At first I thought it looks quite soft and should drape, so maybe jersey?


But then it looks like it's got some stiffness to it as well. >_> almost as if it could a dull taffeta of some kind. Could use double knit jersey but would it drape so well then? Plus it's a warm fabric and might look too thick for this style of dress?







And now I just don't know anymore. Gotta make sure the fabric is right for the arm bits too.

Not to mention the colours - if it's jersey, do I "line" blue jersey with orange jersey??? There's no way I can get a fabric that's different colours either side, right?

Comments

[venivincere]

I would get both colors in a light taffeta, cut and serge together, and work with them that way. That gives you the stiffness but if you're using a very light taffeta then it shouldn't be too heavy. But it will be heavy enough to give you that really awesome drape.

[yuki-scorpio.livejournal.com]

Thanks! Maybe the inside orange can be a slightly crushed taffeta? Or both blue and orange are crushed?

I haven't got a serger, but there's a similar stitch on my sewing machine. I've never been very good at using that stitch though, it always ends up messy looking. orz

[venivincere]

Cut your pattern a quarter inch larger all the way around. Then sew a straight stitch 1/2 inch in as you do, then do the serger-like stitch (if it's a zig zag on the outside of the straight stitch. You should have about a 1/4 inch fabric left on the outside of the stitches. Just remember to leave an area that will be sewn into a seam later so you can turn it inside out. Press, folding in the open edges, then whip-stitch by hand to close the gap. Press flat then use those two-sided panels to sew the garment with.

I wouldn't go with crushed taffeta. Smooth but not shiny is probably best, looking at the picture. Though you could have shiny and/or crushed for the orange if you really wanted. :-)

[yuki-scorpio.livejournal.com]

Wow, thanks! I think I'm gonna have to get some scrap fabric and practise.

It's just that the lines in the second pic make it look like it's sort of crushed. Guess I should just get a range of samples and then choose the best one. >_>

[venivincere]

Take pictures with you when you go so you can match colour, too. Everything looks different in store light. :-)

[yuki-scorpio.livejournal.com]

Yeah, I do that all the time. ^^

[khaoskomix.livejournal.com]

I would actually use a velvet. She looks a bit rich and luxurious, and it would give you a fantastic drape if you used a triple velvet.

[yuki-scorpio.livejournal.com]

It looks like the fabric's got a bit of crispness (er, English fail) to it though, would velvet be okay?

Also, the armour - I've seen people use leather(ette) to make it, but I'm thinking maybe a hard armour would look better especially considering the bits that dangle either side. Maybe papier mache a mannequin for the shape, and then covered with a thin layer of foam (since I like that much better than gesso-ing)... does that sound okay? O_o

[khaoskomix.livejournal.com]

Or cover a mannequin with a towel and just heat mould the foam over it. Heat gun powrrrrs activate!

The other option for the dress is crepe. That shit is seriously underestimated, it drapes beautifully. It's what real Japanese kimonos are made from. You can get it in silk or faux stuff called crepe de Chine. It can be quite thin so you'd need to line it anyway.

[yuki-scorpio.livejournal.com]

Now that's an idea I have to investigate! I've got the sewing mannequin as well as the shop's plastic mannequin, one of those should work.

Okay, thanks! Is it this sort of thing? http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Orange-Crepe-de-chine-Kashiboo-/190517221735?pt=UK_Crafts_Fabric_Textiles_SM&hash=item2c5bb61967 I'll ask my local fabric shops and see if they have any so that I can have a feel of it. *goes look at fabricland too*

[storme]

Haha!

See Pezzzzz, you should join me in my MUST USE VELVET FOR EVERYTHING mindset...

[yuki-scorpio.livejournal.com]

I think triple velvet would be cheaper than the velvet you use actually. :P

[storme]

Details, details. :P

[yuki-scorpio.livejournal.com]

Are important.

[storme]

Excellent use of icon.

[yuki-scorpio.livejournal.com]

I can ... too.

[storme]

Is this now a fill-in-the-blanks session?

[yuki-scorpio.livejournal.com]

My icon outevils your icon.

[storme]

Your icon is beaten back by my icon.

[yuki-scorpio.livejournal.com]

Oh, I don't think so.

[storme]

are we overcompensating again, dear?

[yuki-scorpio.livejournal.com]

No idea what you're talking about.

[storme]

No idea at all?

[yuki-scorpio.livejournal.com]

Size does not matter.

[storme]

I fully agree. Sometimes, ones focus moves elsewhere entirely.

[yuki-scorpio.livejournal.com]

And now all I can think of is camouflage.

[storme]

Ah yes, the camo. Dave thinks about that, too.

[yuki-scorpio.livejournal.com]

 

[storme]

damn right.

[yuki-scorpio.livejournal.com]

btw they asked me if I want to go to Russia. I'd get a driver, a translator and a payrise.

[storme]

Uhm.

[yuki-scorpio.livejournal.com]

Exactly.

[storme]

Glad we agree.

[yuki-scorpio.livejournal.com]

I don't know why, I just want to use this icon.

[storme]

And I just want to use this one. There's rarely an appropriate moment, alas.

[yuki-scorpio.livejournal.com]

Sometimes it is hard being an icon.

[storme]

And sometimes, it's SO EASY.

[yuki-scorpio.livejournal.com]

Very easy.

[storme]

Ridiculously easy.

[seraphim-grace.livejournal.com]

I'd suggest flax linen
it's crisp, light and drapes beautifully
also it's not as evil for fraying as some fabrics, you can maximise the drape if you cut it on the bias

it also dyes beautifully so you might be able to dye one side blue and paint the lining

I'd love to see you cosplay ecclesia, just because the costume rocks!