by Victoria Watkins
It's time for another fabric suggestion blog, and for this one I'll be offering ideas for both the 266 Greek Island Dress and the 265 Afternoon Tea Dress. Both of this month's featured patterns are similar in concept and drape, with a sheath dress underneath and a tunic or jacket over the top. You could use the fabrics I've chosen for either pattern, though some might be better suited to the dress or the accompanying outer layer, which I've noted below. And, if you want tips for working with slippery or sheer fabrics, we have some great tips for working with bias and slippery fabrics here and sheers and laces here. Great tricks and tips for working with any of these fabrics!
First is this champagne colored silk charmeuse from Harts Fabrics. Silk charmeuse could be suitable for any of the pieces in either of these patterns, though I particularly think of the sheath dress of the 265 Afternoon Tea Dress. Our photoshoot sample was made in a silk charmeuse very similar in color to this one, and the feel of the silk combined with the reflective sheen made the dress feel ethereal. So completely gorgeous!
For another silk offering, Dharma trading has a huge variety of silks available. This charmeuse looks great in baby blue, but they have 32 total colors available!
For more practical and everyday, casual wear, both patterns would work wonderfully in a linen. This Stone yarn-dyed linen is breezy for the warming weather, but hardy unlike the delicate silks above.
The tunic and jackets in the two patterns create opportunities to play with sheer or patterned fabric layering over the sheath dresses. Something with a burnout, like this burnout brocade from mood fabrics, would make for fantastic outer layers! Velvet burnouts could be gorgeous too.
Finally, this silk chiffon from Promenade Fine Fabrics would be absolutely perfect for the tunic or jacket(s) from either pattern. That top layer in this silk sheer - so pretty!
And don't forget to read our blog posts about working with sheer and slinky fabrics (bias cuts and sheers). There are some really helpful tips for working with fabrics like this.
What do you think? Would you try a fun outer layer like this? Would you want to go fancy with your dress or more casual? Let us know!
I recently bought the Afternoon Tea Dress pattern and I’m still working out what fabrics to try first. After seeing your suggestion of linen I think a more casual day-time fabric will be the way to go. I can try the more slinky evening fabrics later.