What other names might "soft cotton" fabric go by?

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What other names might "soft cotton" fabric go by?
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sally_in_wales
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Joined: 06 Mar 2005
Posts: 20809
Location: sunny wales

Posted: Thu Jun 18, 09 6:43 pm Post subject:
lily makes an excellent point, whatever fabric you settle for wash it at the hottest temperature you anticipate ever washing the final garment at and iron it before you cut it out, saves all sorts of grief later on

sally_in_wales
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Joined: 06 Mar 2005
Posts: 20809
Location: sunny wales

Posted: Thu Jun 18, 09 6:44 pm Post subject:
I've bought linen here a few times and found them reliable https://www.cheapfabrics.co.uk/thestore/ They usually have some very reasonable cotton as well

Bugs

Joined: 28 Oct 2004
Posts: 10744

Posted: Wed Jul 01, 09 6:30 pm Post subject:

Thank you both - I will certainly investigate Cheap Fabrics and indeed my sewing book as I haven't a clue what chambrey is...it sounds right though...but that might be because it makes me think of Chantilly

Luckily my sister turned up 3m of a fairly lightweight cotton, at �2 a metre from the Fabric Guild in Leicester, which in spite of a slight air of "settee" about it (my better half having helpfully informed me that I would look like a settee anyway) is certainly worth a try.

You never know, there might even be pictures.

If we're all still here in 2015

marigold

Joined: 02 Sep 2005
Posts: 12458
Location: West Sussex

Posted: Wed Jul 01, 09 7:25 pm Post subject:
We like pictures . Good luck, just take your time and ask if you feel baffled by any of the destructions!

wellington womble

Joined: 08 Nov 2004
Posts: 15051
Location: East Midlands

Posted: Wed Jul 01, 09 8:06 pm Post subject:

tahir wrote:

Bugs wrote:

Ooh. Now I've had to take the pattern out of the envelope. I think - the front and back are on the bias and all the rest are with the grain. Assuming that's what the line with the arrows on means. Does that sound convincing? Linen would be excellent (I might even learn to use the iron in the process).

Perfick. I expected the body to be on the bias, this adds a whole different dimension of drape to any fabric.

and makes it go really twisty and uncomfortable. Or is that just me?

Did you have any particular colour in mind? I've got some off white soft cotton and I know I've got some milk-chocolate brown linen in the fabric stash somewhere. And probably a lot of other stuff in my fabric stash I've forgotten about from our local fabric shop closed, and before my sewing machine made a very final clunk and 'find someone to service sewing machine' got added to the bottom of some never-ending to do list somewhere.

Bugs

Joined: 28 Oct 2004
Posts: 10744

Posted: Wed Jul 01, 09 9:13 pm Post subject:

marigold wrote:

We like pictures

. Good luck, just take your time and ask if you feel baffled by any of the destructions!

You may live to regret that

but who knows, I may discover a hidden talent. I'm still convinced I must have one, somewhere.

wellington womble wrote:

really twisty and uncomfortable. Or is that just me?

Only Mr Womble can answer that question

Quote:

Did you have any particular colour in mind? I've got some off white soft cotton and I know I've got some milk-chocolate brown linen in the fabric stash somewhere.

Generally I don't think in colour at all. Burgundy would be something I'd consider bright and party-like really. Otherwise my summer outfits consist largely of black and white with the occasional shade of brown thrown in just to show willing. So I may well be in a position to relieve you of unwanted cloth if this goes well ... (big "if" there, you see)...

On the other hand if I don't post for another three months, assume I've sewn myself to the kitchen table and send help.

tahir

Joined: 28 Oct 2004
Posts: 45669
Location: Essex

Posted: Wed Jul 01, 09 10:23 pm Post subject:

ww wrote:

and makes it go really twisty and uncomfortable. Or is that just me?

It's very easy to stretch and twist the fabric so I'd suggest that's what's happened.

Vanessa

Joined: 08 May 2006
Posts: 8324

Posted: Thu Jul 02, 09 5:24 pm Post subject:
Oooh, Sally ... what a fantastic fabric-site. Having just started dressmaking again (first projects on the go since my wedding 6 years ago!! ), I'm keen as mustard to make LOADS of new stuff ... starting to think that maybe that site may prove to be rather dangerous Good luck with your first sewing project, Bugs ... I adore sewing, and hope you find that you do too.

Bugs

Joined: 28 Oct 2004
Posts: 10744

Posted: Sun Aug 02, 09 6:00 pm Post subject:

I have just finished and modelled for TD the prototype - no pictures yet, as this version is muslin and rather indecent

but I think would be fine over a t-shirt.

The seams are a bit rough and ready as is the gathering so I'll need to go back to the books again to see what I can improve there, and I need to be a lot more careful in marking - it turns out those myriad notches and dots aren't just decoration, you know...but it's the first time I've ever made any kind of clothing, and as it went over my head and bears a passing resemblance to the one on the envelope I'm going to count it as a successful first step.

It took me around three "work days", spread out over a couple of weeks, from tracing the pattern (in case I got the size wrong) to trying the final version on, but I think at least a third of that involved staring in bewilderment at the pattern, so I hope the next version will go a bit more quickly

sally_in_wales
Downsizer Moderator

Joined: 06 Mar 2005
Posts: 20809
Location: sunny wales

Posted: Sun Aug 02, 09 6:45 pm Post subject:
oh well done, you are quite correct, the next one will be a breeze now you've worked out the kinks on the muslin version

judith

Joined: 16 Dec 2004
Posts: 22789
Location: Montgomeryshire

Posted: Sun Aug 02, 09 7:18 pm Post subject:

Bugs wrote:

I think at least a third of that involved staring in bewilderment at the pattern

I think that's about normal - at least it is for me.

Vanessa

Joined: 08 May 2006
Posts: 8324

Posted: Sun Aug 02, 09 7:38 pm Post subject:

[quote="BugsThe seams are a bit rough and ready as is the gathering so I'll need to go back to the books again to see what I can improve there[/quote]

Seams - just sew a bit more slowly, giving yourself time to gently feed the fabric through straight. Don't push or pull the fabric (as in, don't rush it through or try to hold it back), but gently steer it to keep it straight.

Gathers. Do 2 rows of gathering threads, one above and one below the stitching line. Mark the centre (if not already marked) both on the bit to be gathered and on the bit to attach it to. Pin centres and ends, then gently pull gathers to fit. Easier to get gathers more even if you're working on the "half" rather than trying to guess how much of the fullness belongs where. Spend time easing the gathers back and forth to get them as even as possible. Pin ACROSS your work (so the pins go down the gathers, rather than parallel to the seam), as it'll be easier to avoid rogue pleats sneaking in across your gathers.

Take your time, breathe lots, and if it's frustrating you "today", leave it for a few hours or until "tomorrow" and have another go.

Enjoy! *hugs*

marigold

Joined: 02 Sep 2005
Posts: 12458
Location: West Sussex

Posted: Mon Aug 03, 09 8:00 am Post subject:
Well done Bugs - you've done the worst bit now, it will get easier each time. Muslin isn't particularly easy to sew - hopefully you will find your chosen fabric easier to handle. Use some off cuts to practise on until you've sorted out the best stitch-length, tension, method of gathering etc.

Lorrainelovesplants

Joined: 13 Oct 2006
Posts: 6521
Location: Dordogne

Posted: Mon Aug 03, 09 8:56 am Post subject:
Do they mean brushed cotton or flannellette - the stuff old fashioned nice sheets used to be made out of. It was lovely and soft.

Bugs

Joined: 28 Oct 2004
Posts: 10744

Posted: Mon Aug 03, 09 5:31 pm Post subject:

Thanks for the encouragement everyone - glad I'm not alone with the bewilderment. Marigold and Vanessa - thanks very much for those tips, they'll be useful on the Real Thing. Which Will Happen. Eventually.

Lorraine - I don't think it can be that, like the stuff you get pyjamas made of only thinner? I think the other fabrics are kind of "swishy" but having said that the muslin, washed and pressed, looks quite impressive with the bias "body" so perhaps it's much more flexible than I first thought.

I think the key understanding to take from this is stop worrying about it and just do it

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