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Subject: How much fabric for a dress Author: Anonymous [ Next Thread | Previous Thread | Next Message | Previous Message ] Date Posted: 16:30:15 03/11/01 Sun In reply to: K 's message, "Fabrics" on 15:41:14 03/10/01 Sat about how many yards of velvet would you need for a size 14 (girl) dress? I am thinking of making a dress but have not yet bought a pattern (still researching) but there are some good sales around right now and was thinking of taking advantage of them. I just need to know about how much fabric I might need. Replies: -It depends on the width of the velvet. For 60" wide, I get 4 yds. This is usually more than enough, but it is better to be safe than sorry. Also, this way you can change the sleeves, cape, or side bodice panels as style and size demand. [ Next Thread | Previous Thread | Next Message | Previous Message ]

Replies:

[> Subject: Silk Author: Anonymous [ Edit | View ] Date Posted: 16:37:54 03/11/01 Sun [ Post a Reply to This Message ]

[> [> Subject: Persperation and fabric damage Author: Anonymous [ Edit | View ] Date Posted: 16:44:57 03/11/01 Sun I am an adult dancer, and have been looking into getting a solo dress. However, I have some concerns about fabric and colour, because I sweat -- a lot. Thing is, my sweat seems to be rather acidic, and has been known to alter certain colours, mostly reds. Is there something I can do to prevent this? Are there certain fabrics that are more likely or less likely to be affected? I thought it would be best to go to the experts with this question. Replies: -Is it your persperation or could it be body oils? I have had clients with a body oil problem before. Second linings and singlets helped. Has anyone tried the new Coolmax as mentioned below? --(OP)It appears to be the sweat, as the colour only changes where the sweat has soaked through and dried. I have changed the colour of bathingsuits, and have been known to rust hooks and eyes. I don't want to ruin the dress after only the first couple of wearings, especially one that someone has worked so hard on, and has cost so much. -In my experience, perspiration disintegrates silk. Could someone who has tried the polyester silks or the new microfibers comment?? -The real problem with perspiration is the salt content. Silk itself is a very durable fabric. As long as it doesn’t have interfacing and applique on it, you can actually wash silk in the washing machine. This is recommended by the company in India that I deal with. However, when silk and the salt in sweat are combined and the salt isn't washed out, the silk rots. FAST! And changes colour. Actually, most fabrics will change colour when exposed to sweat over a period of time, and some people have a higher salt content than others. My recommendation would be that if you like silk and the poly alternative, have your dresses made so that the silk is on the skirt and maybe down the front, but stay away from the under-arms. At least until we figure out a way to keep the sweat from reaching the outer layer of fabric. [ Post a Reply to This Message ]

[> [> Subject: Durability? Author: Anonymous [ Edit | View ] Date Posted: 15:34:13 03/15/01 Thu Can anyone tell me how these silks are holding up in the dance costumes? Also, some of the girls perspire quite a bit. Does the silk stain, especially under the arm? Replies: -I have found that the raw silk with fewer "bumps"in it holds up better than the bumpy kind. Also, it seems to wear in the areas that get rubbed alot (where the sleeves hit the sides, etc) -To prevent staining, I fuse a synthetic backing to the side bodice panels. I use a heavier weight broadcloth in the bodice and I recommend dress shields and/or a tight short sleeved t-shirt. -I have a silk dupioni dress!....... My mum mad me a solo dress entirely from silk earlier this year....and so far it's held up really well. We also lined it fully in the bodice and sleeves which has probably strengthened it. The colours haven’t faded (yet, it's only a few months old). [ Post a Reply to This Message ]

[> [> Subject: Raw Silk Dry-cleanable? Author: Anonymous [ Edit | View ] Date Posted: 22:35:50 09/18/01 Tue -Yes, raw silk is dry cleanable. However, I would caution you to make sure all the *ingredients* are dry cleanable as well. Lots of the newer hologram fabrics and confetti dot fabrics are not drycleanable. I have been spraying my dresses with quilt guard making them a little more resistant to stains and dirt. Just a light brush with a clothes brush or lint roller will handle most problems. The beautiful lames and other sparkle fabrics can melt when they come into contract with the cleaning solutions that are used in a *dry clean*. -I just finished my first dress -- velvet with lame appliques and confetti dot sleeves and skirt lining. Are you saying the only way to get it clean is to keep it clean? =-( I'm already planning my daughter's next dress -- are there similar but more "easy-care" fabrics available? -If it is tissue lame, it can generally be cleaned. The confetti dot can't. You might get away with one or two cleanings, but don't count on it. Take fabric samples to a cleaners that does the cleaning "on site". They can dip them for you so you can see what will happen. Some fabrics get dull. Others disappear... --There are diiferent qualities of confetti dot as well as lame. Some are drycleanable and some are not . I use all cleanable . The difference on the confetti dot is whether the dots are applied with glue or a high heat process. -I do know a mom who has washed a silk dress. She fills the tub with water and immerses the dress, swishing it is sudsy water several times. She then rinses in the same manner until the water is clear and suds free. You might want to check with the person who made your dress. If the color is very intense there is more danger of bleeding. Be especially careful with red or purples. [ Post a Reply to This Message ]