Fabric Checking Thread

[E L Watkins-Morris]

Melissamary,

I would try the first one you listed over the second set.
Neither are really smacking in the head with a YES! though.

Liz W.

[Chip]

Hey all! I know this is in the ladies section, but...I've had a gentleman commission a civilian shirt and I'm wondering if this is an okay choice?
Thanks!

Brooke,

Just happened to look at this today.

This is really great late 50s to early 60s generic fabric.   Tear drops in patterns were the rage from about 1856 on.  Do you know where this fabric came from?

It seems to be a fabric that a woman would have worn, but I think it will also work for a gentleman's work/day shirt with some china or mother of pearl buttons.

[melissamary]

Oh, sigh.  I suppose I'll not get any of them.  I really need a wash dress made of fabric that I don't like that much (so I have no problem wiping my hands on it, kneeling down in the mud in it, stepping on it, etc.)

[E L Watkins-Morris]

Find a pattern you like but a colorway you don't?  I wouldn't wear that dress either.

Actually, do you have an apron?  That should be taking the brunt of your handwiping.

Liz W

[melissamary]

I do have an apron, I just usually throw it in my basket and leave it there unless we have lunch or dinner.  The work dress that I have right now is a fabric that I adore and is a very light color so I hesitate in wearing it anywhere that might be muddy.  But then again, I usually wear it anyway because I can't wear my wrapper or my wool dress to those events.

[melissamary]

I've been mulling this fabric choice over and I just want to run it by y'all... what is your honest opinion?

http://www.fabricmartfabrics.com/xcart/CRE4108-Silk-Plaid-Taffeta-Hot-Pink-Deep-Lilac-Orange-White-54-Wide.html

[Beth Chamberlain]

I've been mulling this fabric choice over and I just want to run it by y'all... what is your honest opinion?

http://www.fabricmartfabrics.com/xcart/CRE4108-Silk-Plaid-Taffeta-Hot-Pink-Deep-Lilac-Orange-White-54-Wide.html

It's not quite as glaring in person as you expect from the swatch. Think sherbet colors - orange sherbet with raspberry & blackberry stripes. That doesn't mean it isn't still loud  Here it is in its full glory - it photographed as more orange than it is thanks to my lights (and please excuse the mess).
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151092711038840&l=9d11241590
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151092710948840&l=58697160e4

Beth

[Jessamyn]

Personally I love it and would have been all over it if I didn't look awful in orange!

[melissamary]

So is that a yes?

[maureenditchman]

I would take that as a YES!!!!

[Angie Huff]

What do y'all think about this fabric?
Are the designs too close together? 

If not for a dress would it work for a wrapper?

[Audra Spanfellner]

I wanted to check this fabric for 1860s day dress

http://www.fabric.com/ProductDetail.aspx?ProductID=ab41e662-43d8-4810-8edb-4be416c84090&CategoryID=7897f4c5-45e1-4f64-94ee-8bbc443b93c8

It's wool suiting...is that ok? I haven't worked with wool much, usually just cotton but I'm venturing into wool.

[Mrs.Dixon]

That wool is fine and fabulous (and pretty!). It says lightweight, which generally means it is a-ok for our purposes.

[Janine Stier]

http://www.fabricmartfabrics.com/xcart/MPC2626-Silk-Wool-Twill-Challis-Charms-and-Jewelry-Antique-Gold-Daffodil-45-Wide.html

Ladies,

Is pattern on this silk/wool challis period correct for late 1850s/early 1860s?

I like the geometric shapes but am worried about the fact that they seem to be placed adhoc rather than in an evenly spaced pattern like I am familiar with when observing patterns on original dresses. Additionally, I am not sure about the rope design running throughout.

Thanks in advance for your opinions.

Janine Stier

[Jessamyn]

Yeah, I think the disk placement and especially the scattered stars (with rope running over OVER them) really kill it. A shame!

[Angie Huff]

Can anyone shed some light on the fabric I posted a few posts above?  I have a gift certificate burning a hole in my pocket, but I hate to waste it on fabric that isn't correct!   

Thank you!

[Jessamyn]

Angie, I think there are better choices.

Usually a deafening lack of answer to a fabric in this thread really means the concensus is, "Well, I suppose it might be period, and I can't swear that it isn't because it doesn't have any of those elements that scream "No," but it certainly isn't shouting 1850s/1860s either."

I think we tend to cut more slack on patterns printed on hard-to-find fabrics (wool challis, silk/wool mixtures, even cotton voile), but there are so many really authentic prints on quilting-weight cotton out there, it seems pointless to compromise.

[Janine Stier]

Thanks Jessamyn!

Appreciate the quick input! You confirmed what my gut was telling me. :-(    It is a shame - but might as well do it right!

Janine

[Angie Huff]

Jessamyn,
Thank you,
It is much better to know now, than to make the dress and then find out! I could almost see it, but it just seemed spaced too close together.
I used to have a good eye, but my babies came along and took all my brain cells.  I cannot trust myself anymore. lol
Maybe I should just stick to reproductions and plaids for a while. 

[maureenditchman]

Is this wool a good choice? It kind of looks like a jumper I used to have when I was 12....I mean...a long, long time ago!!

http://www.fabric.com/apparel-fashion-fabric-wool-fabric-worsted-wool-suiting-fabric-worsted-wool-suiting-plaid-earth.aspx

(I really want the orange and pink silk, but the wool is less.)

Thanks.