Help me find fabric for my dress!
June 14, 2010 6:30 PM Subscribe
I want to make this dress. I love the fabric used in the photo, but I'm not sure what to search for to find something like it. Please hope me.....
Spoonflower makes custom fabrics.
Disclaimer: I've never used them and can't vouch their quality.
posted by amethysts at 6:43 PM on June 14, 2010
Disclaimer: I've never used them and can't vouch their quality.
posted by amethysts at 6:43 PM on June 14, 2010
Reprodepot is a good source for vintage-style prints.
posted by Sara Anne at 6:50 PM on June 14, 2010
posted by Sara Anne at 6:50 PM on June 14, 2010
Seconding Spoonflower and maybe having a designer help you replicate the print. They do print on a cotton sateen. I can only vouch for their quilting cotton, but the print quality is very good as is the customer service. Without going custom, you may have a hard time finding a similar print in the weight you need for that dress; the vintage reproductions are often just on quilting cotton.
posted by dayintoday at 6:52 PM on June 14, 2010
posted by dayintoday at 6:52 PM on June 14, 2010
I know that you want to make it, but did you see that you can buy one?
(well, not until next month. and oddly, it seems to only come in one size, a UK 14. But there you go.)
posted by pinky at 7:10 PM on June 14, 2010
(well, not until next month. and oddly, it seems to only come in one size, a UK 14. But there you go.)
posted by pinky at 7:10 PM on June 14, 2010
Response by poster: I obviously didn't click around the site enough -- I had no idea they had it for sale! I do want to make some minor modifications to the pattern, however. Between that and the fact that I want it for attending a wedding at the beginning of July, purchasing is probably not my best option.
And I apologize, I wasn't specific enough in my question, I think. I was just hoping to find a similar fabric, but in a lower (under $10 / yd) price range than Spoonflower seems to offer (but what an amazing resource, thanks!).
Right now, I'm leaning toward this border print as my budget substitute -- use the border at the bottom of the skirt and possibly at the top of the bodice? Does it seem like this print would suit the style of the dress well enough?
posted by hilaryjade at 7:17 PM on June 14, 2010
And I apologize, I wasn't specific enough in my question, I think. I was just hoping to find a similar fabric, but in a lower (under $10 / yd) price range than Spoonflower seems to offer (but what an amazing resource, thanks!).
Right now, I'm leaning toward this border print as my budget substitute -- use the border at the bottom of the skirt and possibly at the top of the bodice? Does it seem like this print would suit the style of the dress well enough?
posted by hilaryjade at 7:17 PM on June 14, 2010
It looks like cotton to me, and the information on the photo itself (available as a rollover in the upper right) says it's a grey cotton with floral print from 1953. I recommend Liberty's of London fabrics (the florals tend to be small scale but you can search through prints from the 50s and 60s) or perhaps Amy Butler fabrics to get close to the period aesthetic. The stripe is unusual, and for that you might try widening your search to upholstery fabrics, which come in cotton and often have similar patterns (for instance Scalamandre, Ralph Lauren, fabricsandpapers.com, Lee Jofa or your local upholsterer).
posted by cocoagirl at 7:26 PM on June 14, 2010
posted by cocoagirl at 7:26 PM on June 14, 2010
http://www.hartsfabric.com/
has a good variety of fabrics online, with some more unusual stuff and and Japanese imports.
Also, you might check etsy, or ebay, to find something more affordable.
That's assuming you are in the U.S./Canada.
posted by annsunny at 8:44 PM on June 14, 2010
has a good variety of fabrics online, with some more unusual stuff and and Japanese imports.
Also, you might check etsy, or ebay, to find something more affordable.
That's assuming you are in the U.S./Canada.
posted by annsunny at 8:44 PM on June 14, 2010
You might want to bookmark The Sew Weekly - Mena Trott is creating tons of vintage-inspired outfits and documenting her process, along with fabric choice, haberdashery, etc. There are bound to be useful tips for fabric in there!
posted by ukdanae at 12:07 AM on June 15, 2010
posted by ukdanae at 12:07 AM on June 15, 2010
I would suggest going to fabric shops specializing in quilting. The amount of high-quality cotton in the most amazing prints will astound you. I'm sure I've seen something similar to your print whilst idling away waiting for my mother to finish a class.
posted by ninazer0 at 2:24 AM on June 15, 2010
posted by ninazer0 at 2:24 AM on June 15, 2010
Have you looked at Gorgeous Fabrics? They have some beautiful fabrics at great prices. I found these floral prints that might work:
http://www.gorgeousfabrics.com/shop/product_info.php?products_id=9095
http://www.gorgeousfabrics.com/shop/product_info.php?products_id=1376
http://www.gorgeousfabrics.com/shop/product_info.php?products_id=7668
This is a border stripe, but I think it would look great in that dress:
http://www.gorgeousfabrics.com/shop/product_info.php?products_id=6014
posted by apricot at 9:45 AM on June 15, 2010
http://www.gorgeousfabrics.com/shop/product_info.php?products_id=9095
http://www.gorgeousfabrics.com/shop/product_info.php?products_id=1376
http://www.gorgeousfabrics.com/shop/product_info.php?products_id=7668
This is a border stripe, but I think it would look great in that dress:
http://www.gorgeousfabrics.com/shop/product_info.php?products_id=6014
posted by apricot at 9:45 AM on June 15, 2010
I came across this today: http://sewmamasew.com/blog2/?p=8376
They carry Anna maria Horner fabrics, but not that particular one. Her designs look like they might be a good fit. That particular fabric comes in 4 color ways, but may still be brighter than what you want. There is one with a light olive green background.
This quilt shop seems to carry a huge selection: http://quilthome.com/Anna_Maria_Horner
posted by annsunny at 5:46 PM on June 17, 2010
They carry Anna maria Horner fabrics, but not that particular one. Her designs look like they might be a good fit. That particular fabric comes in 4 color ways, but may still be brighter than what you want. There is one with a light olive green background.
This quilt shop seems to carry a huge selection: http://quilthome.com/Anna_Maria_Horner
posted by annsunny at 5:46 PM on June 17, 2010
Response by poster: Should have followed up a long time ago, but I did end up using the fabric I linked to.
Dress Front View
Dress Back View
posted by hilaryjade at 5:45 AM on October 6, 2010
Dress Front View
Dress Back View
posted by hilaryjade at 5:45 AM on October 6, 2010
The dress is gorgeous and I am so jealous of your pockets!
posted by ukdanae at 7:49 AM on October 6, 2010
posted by ukdanae at 7:49 AM on October 6, 2010
This thread is closed to new comments.
I would think a polished cotton or cotton sateen would work great for a muslin.
posted by Fairchild at 6:36 PM on June 14, 2010