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Our Lady's Loom, Larder, and Laundry
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Subject Topic: Can I use quilting fabric to make a dress Post ReplyPost New Topic
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Sharyn
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Posted: Aug 20 2009 at 7:49pm | IP Logged Quote Sharyn
?    I'm wanting to start sewing and I'd like to make the girls and I some skirts and dresses. The Regency dress from Sense and Sensibility looks good for the girls,and I like the Beatrix Potter skirt and the Edwardian Apron http://www.sensibility.com/pattern/main/?page_id=8

I found a quilters fabric store online that has a huge range of lovely fabrics http://www.quiltersstore.com.au/_products/Quilting+Fabrics+b y+Style%2c+Colour-866.aspx
but I was wondering is the fabric thicker than what you buy at the store or is it the same thing?

I've been to our local fabric store and they just don't have the range nor beautiful materials that the online quilters store does. That and having to take 5 children along makes it very difficult to shop in an 'actual' store. So I'd love to know what the right stuff to buy is so I don't have to end up making a quilt cover instead

I prefer natural fibres, so is there a particular cotton fabric used for skirts and dresses?

Thanks so much,
Sharyn

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JodieLyn
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Posted: Aug 20 2009 at 7:56pm | IP Logged Quote JodieLyn
I've used some (quilting store is the only place to get fabric locally) for dress shirts for the boys.. and it worked fine. But they do have to be ironed.

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Mary G
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Posted: Aug 20 2009 at 8:04pm | IP Logged Quote Mary G
Of course! as the fabric is usually cotton ... but you will have to iron it after every wash. I've also used drapery/upholstery fabric (think Sound of Music, but a little more low key ) and it wears like iron! I made Maggie a dress for Easter back in 2005 that needed 60"wide material (it was a full "circle" skirt) -- she has just stopped wearing the dress (not because it's worn out or too small or anything ... she's gotten too tall!)

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Fe2h2o
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Posted: Aug 21 2009 at 11:31am | IP Logged Quote Fe2h2o
Yes, it's what I've tended to use... but probably not for anything you want to be 'floaty'. They tend to be kind of 'structural' (although my son's shirts—which have had more wear than his sister's dresses, did soften quite a bit after a _number_ of washes).

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Sharyn
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Posted: Aug 24 2009 at 5:59am | IP Logged Quote Sharyn
I've just calculated the cost of making the dresses at the prices the online store sells at and it is quite a bit more than I thought.

So I think I might just get some fabric for the Apron and see how I go making that. I will be able to see what the fabric is like before making too big a commitment, not to mention develop a bit of skill so as to do a proper job for such expense.

Thanks to you all for your advice! I really appreciate it.









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MicheleQ
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Posted: Aug 24 2009 at 12:59pm | IP Logged Quote MicheleQ
Mary G wrote:
Of course! as the fabric is usually cotton ... but you will have to iron it after every wash.


Just a quick tip: I use cotton a lot in my sewing and I rarely iron. Instead I use a spray bottle of water and spritz the item right on the hanger, smooth out the wrinkles and let it dry. Works like a charm! OR if you can get it out of the dryer before it's completely dry that works too (I never remember so I use the spray bottle liberally!). Hanging wet is OK but not as effective because the spinning make them pretty wrinkled and the dryer smooths that out a bit. The spray bottle method works REALLY well for hems that like to turn up. It's works BETTER than ironing in fact.

OK so that wasn't so "quick".

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Mackfam
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Posted: Aug 24 2009 at 6:58pm | IP Logged Quote Mackfam
MicheleQ wrote:
Just a quick tip: I use cotton a lot in my sewing and I rarely iron. Instead I use a spray bottle of water and spritz the item right on the hanger, smooth out the wrinkles and let it dry. Works like a charm! OR if you can get it out of the dryer before it's completely dry that works too (I never remember so I use the spray bottle liberally!). Hanging wet is OK but not as effective because the spinning make them pretty wrinkled and the dryer smooths that out a bit. The spray bottle method works REALLY well for hems that like to turn up. It's works BETTER than ironing in fact.



What a great tip!!!! Thanks, Michelle!!! I always use the spray bottle with the iron...but in my density, I had never thought to just spray and pull and straighten on the hanger!!!! What joy!!! Thanks!!!

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Sharyn
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Posted: Aug 25 2009 at 8:24am | IP Logged Quote Sharyn
MicheleQ wrote:

Just a quick tip: I use cotton a lot in my sewing and I rarely iron. Instead I use a spray bottle of water and spritz the item right on the hanger, smooth out the wrinkles and let it dry. Works like a charm! OR if you can get it out of the dryer before it's completely dry that works too (I never remember so I use the spray bottle liberally!). Hanging wet is OK but not as effective because the spinning make them pretty wrinkled and the dryer smooths that out a bit. The spray bottle method works REALLY well for hems that like to turn up. It's works BETTER than ironing in fact.


Thanks Michele! Come another month or two when it gets warmer here the sun 'irons' the clothes really well, but in the winter months I use my dryer a bit and unfortunately it doesn't seem to get the creases out, so I'll have to give your idea a try



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MicheleQ
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Posted: Aug 25 2009 at 8:36am | IP Logged Quote MicheleQ
Sharyn wrote:
MicheleQ wrote:

Just a quick tip: I use cotton a lot in my sewing and I rarely iron. Instead I use a spray bottle of water and spritz the item right on the hanger, smooth out the wrinkles and let it dry.


Thanks Michele! Come another month or two when it gets warmer here the sun 'irons' the clothes really well, but in the winter months I use my dryer a bit and unfortunately it doesn't seem to get the creases out, so I'll have to give your idea a try


Be warned: Once your family finds out this works they will constantly be running off with your spray bottle. Especially the teenage boys whose shirts get really wrinkled from lying in a heap until they remember they need them. At least they aren't throwing everything in the dryer now, so it saves electricity!

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Sharyn
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Posted: Aug 25 2009 at 8:51am | IP Logged Quote Sharyn
MicheleQ wrote:
At least they aren't throwing everything in the dryer now, so it saves electricity!


That's a concern for me too, electricity has become super expensive here, so I'm really having to watch how often I use the dryer.

I have a water bottle I use to squirt baby Emily's bottom with; but with most of mine been still little I have to watch they don't use it to spray the TV or one another with

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Mackfam
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Posted: Aug 25 2009 at 9:57am | IP Logged Quote Mackfam
MicheleQ wrote:
Just a quick tip: I use cotton a lot in my sewing and I rarely iron. Instead I use a spray bottle of water and spritz the item right on the hanger, smooth out the wrinkles and let it dry. Works like a charm! OR if you can get it out of the dryer before it's completely dry that works too (I never remember so I use the spray bottle liberally!). Hanging wet is OK but not as effective because the spinning make them pretty wrinkled and the dryer smooths that out a bit. The spray bottle method works REALLY well for hems that like to turn up. It's works BETTER than ironing in fact.


Ok...I have been a spritzing maniac this morning!!!!!!!! This works so well!!!!! I had no idea!!!!

I've straightened hems, pulled wrinkles out of EVERYTHING!!!!! My squirt bottle is my new best friend!!!! I feel as if I've discovered gold or something!!!!!!!!!!! I'm walkin' on sunshine!!!!!!!

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