I started working on the "special gown" this weekend. I'll tell you about the pattern later, but here is a picture of the main fabric for the dress.
I chose dupioni silk, in a light shimmery silver blue.
I hope none of you is horrified at the sight of blue!I shall be cutting out the pattern this afternoon, and shall be making up a muslin before cutting into the gorgeous silk.
I was wondering whether any fabric savvy reader out there would be willing to offer any advice about dupioni silk. I have the wonderful Bridal Couture book, which offers good advice about how to sew dupioni - and I'll be lining it with cotton batiste. (There will also be a contrasting white underskirt - oh, wait till you see this!).
However, I am not sure how I should go as regards fabric treatment. Basically, I'm still pondering whether to wash the dupioni or not.
This was discussed on my favourite sewing boards before... It was said that washing dupioni will make it lose its luster. But is that a big deal ? I would really not mind myself if it was less shiny. I might like it even better, not to mention the practicality of a washable gown.
So, is it done to wash dupioni? Will it just make it less shiny, or will I end up with a lumpy, ruined fabric?
Of course, it would be easier to test a sample of the fabric, but I want to make sure I have enough fabric leftover to make a few matching accessories (stole, purse, hair accessories).
I hope some sewing divas can advise me... Thank you!
I am so happy to be starting this gown.
I am so happy to be starting this gown.
18 comments:
Your gown will be beautiful! The blue will be lovely with your dark hair, and it doesn't bother me at all!
I have washed dupioni and yes, it does lose the shine. All of the silk dupioni in American Beauty was washed. I couldn't risk the red running on any of the white and once the shine was gone, I decided to wash all the white, too.
Because it is a natural fiber, it will shrink a bit in the wash, but it won't be a lumpy mess. You'll just have to iron it well before cutting it out.
I would just run a test sample through the wash a see if you like the result. If you do, then wash the whole yardage before cutting it out. If you didn't like the sample, no harm done, and you could use both washed and unwashed to make your accessories - it would match but have a slightly different texture.
You shall look like a dream from heaven wearing this color on your wedding day :)
I wash all my silk dupioni (actually, I allow it to soak with Eucalan in the water and then spin it out) and put it in the dryer. This ensures that the final garment will not readily spot should you drop water on the dress (and since this is a wedding gown, you will be eating and drinking in it, right?). I don't find that the silk loses much lustre, although it will lose some body. But, a good steam pressing with my iron always retores some of the crispness. If you plan on underlining the silk, this loss of body should not be a problem at all.
Also, dupioni is not very ravel-prone, but if you handle it too much, it can fray at the cut edges, so be sure to manipulate it fairly carefully. The quicker the pieces are underlined after cutting out the pattern, the better.
Good luck on your dress - I look forward to seeing it come to life.
P.S. I love the non-traditional fabric colour choice. Although white can be nice, I love a wedding dress with some colour!
Summerset and Shannon said it all! I think your fabric choice is just great, I love the fabric and the color! I can't wait to see this big project come to life! It will be so exciting to follow your progress, I'm really looking forward to this project!
This fabric is just gorgeous and I love the colour too. I can't wait to see the pattern!
Have a lovely weekend my dear friend :)
(((hugs)))
That fabric looks stunning, Isabelle!! Congratulatins to you and Seb... I haven't had a chance to say that yet! How marvelous that you are letting us join you like this on your way to the altar... :o)
I know nothing about silk, but I'm simply drooling over the fabric. It looks absolutely beautiful, and I can't wait to see the dress. It will be truely original.
This is stunning. Utterly breathtaking, Isabelle! I've only done teensy hand-sewing jobs with dupioni - it's a gorgeous silk and you are going to look ... well, people will be speechless. I can't wait to see more!
wow a blue wedding dress!...I'm sure you'll look stunning in it!!:)
Wow, that is a stunning piece of fabric. I am really looking forward to seeing your dress come to life.
Congratulations on your upcoming wedding:)
You will be so lovely :) Perfect choice, Isabelle :)
((((hugs))))
I think blue is a great choice for the dress. In the US, we always say that the following should be in a wedding, "something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue." So why not the dress? There is also the expression "true blue", which means you are loyal--a good sentiment for a wedding, yes?
Oh my gosh, that color is divine - the gown will be outstanding, I just know it!
I LOVE the blue - it is an amazing color for your wedding gown, and I can't wait to hear the reason you chose it.
Love your colour choice we have an old wives tale saying here in the UK which is "Marry in Blue and your lover will always be true" I wanted to wear blue but didn't find anything suitable, it looks gorgeous with dark hair.
your wedding?????when was that said?oooooohhhhhhhhh great news....
Hi, Isabelle! I'm so late your post...Being on holiday I've not had a chance to read/post as usual--LOL! Your blue is an exquisite choice for your wedding dress! (Yes we want details, where, when, etc!) I like different choices for wedding dresses rather than the usual white or cream silks. You've already received some great advice here, so I can't add to much more to this. But I'm sure you'll be making this into a divine dress. Looking forward to seeing how it goes. Will you be post wedding-dress-in-progress new for us?! Have a wonderful time making this splendid creation for your special day! ((HUGS)) :O)
I just wanted to say congratulations on your wonderful news, Isabelle (about your upcoming wedding)! I have read and loved your blog for so long and don't think I've ever commented before... so I thought it was about time to say congratulations. :) Very best of luck with everything and I look forward to seeing that beautiful dress finished!
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