| Subject: Fabrics |
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Anonymous
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Date Posted: 13:09:14 03/15/01 Thu
In reply to:
's message, "Adult Costumes" on 16:18:15 03/11/01 Sun
I’m creating new dresses for our adult dancers (myself being one). I’ve picked out a pattern that’s a basic a-line, no zipper (to make it easier for the non-sewers), but am having major problems with fabric. We’re on guidelines of using black and white, with the possibility of silver. I’ve decided on black crushed panne for the skirt, but then run into problems. The teacher suggested using white lace on the sleeves, and possibly the bodice. Here’s where I start to wonder… The teacher really doesn’t care about the dresses, nor do most of the people who are going to be wearing them. I like the lace on the bodice over the black, but not over the sleeves. However, the lace seems too lightweight to be on its own for the sleeves. Would it be getting too busy to go to another fabric? As well, with just the plain black and white lace, would it look horrendous if the shawl was a black a silver meshy fabric?
Replies:
-If you feel the lace is too lightweight to stand alone for the sleeves, you could underline it with a lightweight fabric, perhaps a black to keep it looking like the bodice, or even a flesh toned lining fabric -- would give the illusion of lace only sleeves. Nice of you to find a pattern without a zipper for the non-sewers -- do you think panne would be difficult to handle for beginner sewers? I'm making a dress for my PW U13 daughter out of polyester shantung and it is very easy to handle and work with --had you considered using something like this?
-Thanks for the ideas on the sleeves. It's definitely something to look at. Personally, I know that when I first started sewing zippers were the most horrid thing, and I still think they're the trickiest part of a dress so was trying to save others. :-) As for fabric choice... Unfortunately we're in an area that does not have innovations like polyester shantung and ordering it in would add too much cost to our dresses. The panne is so inexpensive (less than $10 Canadian/metre) and the crushed has such texture under light. Actually, the teacher had wanted velvet, or crushed velvet, so the panne was a slightly easier option. Believe me, there are so many fabrics I'd rather use, lol. I think I'm going to have to take a trip to a nearby 'big city' in order to get a look at this shantung as it seems very popular now. I'm a fabric junkie, so would love something new.
-Just a thought why not try to line the sleeves with a liquid silver to give it a different shiny effect. you could do the same thing with the cape instead of the mesh over the lace.
-When in doubt, simplify! One of the nice things about dancing as an adult is that a lot of the time the simplest dresses can really be the most effective! I really like the idea that someone suggested about lining the lace with silver and then making a cape to match. If the cape and sleeves match, then they all look as though they were meant to go together. If the cape is one color and the sleeve one color... maybe you could use a silver lame under your lace (if it's a loose pattern) or even just silver? Also, as much as zippers stink to put in, panne is so hard to work with!!! I made the kids a bunch of scrunchies out of it once and never wanted to do it again because the fabric migrates and migrates as you sew it. If you can find a nice shantung, it might be worth the hassle of putting in a zipper to avoid the panne!
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