Readers,
It was a cheap and cheerful fabric of unlisted fiber content that I picked up at S.R. Harris Fabric Outlet a few years ago that was sitting in my stash waiting for a summer project.
It was a perky blouse pattern from 1950 that looked easy enough to fit and a match for the mood of this floral print.
Yesterday I finished the revision of the wearable test of the Advance 5455 blouse pattern from 1950. I asked Jack to take some pictures of me modeling it. As Jack asked me to pose, I found it hard to look happy or proud. I was dissatisfied–but by what, exactly?
Was it the fit?
This last version did fit better than the previous one. At a Treadle Yard Goods salon last week Michele pinned out extra fabric from above the bust and side seams and moved up the bust dart–all good changes.
Was it the fabric?
My best guess was this was a cotton with spandex. It stretches a lot, and when I burned a sample it smelled like burning paper.
Whatever the fiber content, this fabric was difficult to press. It emerged from machine washing and drying a little wrinkled, and the wrinkles didn’t go away entirely. Annoying.
Also, this fabric has a peculiar hand, a stiffness from the synthetic component. The fabric released above and below the waist tucks stands stiffly away from the body rather than draping.
Aha. I’m onto something here. I think I picked the wrong pattern for the characteristics of this fabric. If I want shaping using this stretch woven, princess seams might be the way to go. Certainly not released tucks.
Or, another way of looking at it, I picked the wrong fabric for this pattern. It doesn’t show off the pattern to best effect. Maybe a handkerchief linen or Liberty cotton would be better, for the drape and the feel.
And now I’m thinking I picked the wrong fabric for me. When I bought it I was attracted to the liveliness of the colors and the flowers. But this is a small-scale print and can be read as cute. Not a look I’m aiming for.
I thought I could dial it back the cuteness aspect. But it remains insistently cute. Shoulda known.
So the remainder of my cheap and cheerful floral-print stretch cotton looks to be my first donation to the Textile Center’s Fabric Garage Sale in April, 2014. I’ll pin a note to it telling the prospective buyer about my experience with it and wishing her or him good luck.
