I got my kitty print quilting cotton (which I ordered last week for a dressmaking experiment) in the mail yesterday! I ripped into the package excitedly, and was pleasantly surprised by what I found. This cotton is soft and relatively thin, nothing like the usual stiff, thick quilting cottons I'm used to.
It has a really nice drape, too.
Oh! I also found this swatch of silk organza that I think will make a nice hemband accent for the dress.
In other news . . .
I have a brand-new online class with creativebug, The Sailor's Blouse. (Read on for a coupon code!) The class takes my portrait blouse pattern from my book (the blouse pattern is included as a PDF download) and I show you every step of drafting and sewing this nautical variation.
The blouse has a v-neck, a retro sailor collar, and a bow!
And I just know you're going to ask about this fabric (I know you so well, dear readers!), I can tell you that it's a Betsey Johnson remnant. I had some in my fabric store for about a minute before it sold out. If I ever find more, I promise to buy it by the truckload for you, dear readers.
Skills included in the class are: basic pattern drafting, stay stitching, darts, dart tucks, narrow hems, collar construction, finishing a neckline with bias tape (as a facing alternative), and a lapped side zipper.
Here's a little video intro. (Hey, who's that brunette?!)
Here's a little video intro. (Hey, who's that brunette?!)
And a special discount for you! Here's the deal: You can buy my new Sailor's Blouse class right now for the introductory price of $17.00 and it never expires. Or you can subscribe and get all my classes (plus 180 more) for $9.95 the first month with promo code SAILOR. Offers expire August 1st.
Hope you enjoy!
what a cute kitty printed fabric. I can't wait to see what it becomes.
ReplyDeleteI bought a few yards of quilting cotton for a dress I will begin to sew this week and I was amazed how the drape changed once I washed it. It must have been the sizing that was applied.
"Offers expire July 1st." - is that correct?
ReplyDeleteSeems a bit difficult to use :)
Oh, you want a coupon code you can USE? How demanding! :)
DeleteFixed now, should have been August 1st. Whoopsies! Thanks for letting me know.
The blouse is so cute. I will definitively look for your class
ReplyDeletethe blouse is very cute! can you also buy a chapter? or do you need to buy the whole lesson? I would only have to know how to adjust the pattern.. thanks in advance!
ReplyDeleteGenerally speaking, I've found that the "designer" quilting cottons make really good apparel fabric because they tend to have a nice hand and drape than others.
ReplyDeleteTHANK YOU. Saying quilting cottons are all the same is as nonsensical as saying all jersey knits are the same. Full retail price is an excellent guide to quality, for once, too. Because the price is driven by the quality and expense of the fabric. The printing is pretty much the same either way! :)
ReplyDeleteI love quilting cotton because the patterns blow my mind every single day -- there are so many of them in so many colorways. I love love love it. BUT, I have made a ton of clothing in quilting cotton before I knew any differently and I have to say that when I go back to those clothes, I'm pretty snobby about them. Luckily, many of my favorite designers of quilting cottons also use voile now.
ReplyDeleteUnfortunately, Gertie, I think you will find that the feel and the drape will change with washing. They are so heartbreakingly soft off the bolt. The only quilting cotton that never really changed was a particular one by Heather Ross -- Lightning Bugs and something or other. Does anyone remember that? It was the one with the gnomes. So incredibly soft.....
Being a quilter as well as garment maker, I am extremely farmiliar with quilting fabrics and, yes...the ones in t he quilt shop for 10 to 12 dollarsa yard are very different from the cheap stuff. When you wash them they get softer...and have some shrinkage. I use them alot. They are great for certain garments.
ReplyDeleteI do use fabric softener in the wash to help with softness...
DeleteI'm looking forward to seeing your kitty dress! I mostly avoid quilting cottons, but as you said there are some differences and some are fine to use. I just made your Bombshell dress with a quilting cotton, I think it's a designer print though. It came out great! I also subscribed to creativebug, I want to try your 40's style peasant dress! Thanks for all the inspiration!
ReplyDeleteKITTIES!!! (Sorry, cats make me extra enthusiastic.)
ReplyDeleteCan't wait to see how the finished product turns out!
My most favorite "everyday" summer dress is made from a quilting cotton - from JoAnns no less! It softened in the wash. Usually if it has a lighter hand right off the bolt, it drapes pretty well, kind of like a voile, though I would recommend it for more structured garments, like the dress you're going to make. :)
ReplyDeleteIf it's stiff right from the bolt, it's going to take a talking-to to get it to do what you want, tho. Shame, I wish those prints would come in different weaves! I love prints. LOVE THEM.
I was wondering how you added that Pinterest, Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, etc widget to your blog. I have my own blog and I would like to know.
ReplyDeleteThanks!
Izze
thecozycloud.blogspot.com
We told you so!!! So you're going to give us quilting cotton groupies a big sloppy apology when you love your dress, right?!
ReplyDeleteSorry, had to get that out. Of course, all quilting cottons aren't created equal, but the good ones make the best summer dresses. They are airy but crisp and low maintenance, and the variety of fun prints means you can get a lot of mileage out of a couple TNT patterns.
Hi there, first time commenter (long time reader/lurker) - love your hair colour! That kitty print material is so cute, my kids would love it too.
ReplyDeleteOh my gosh, Oh my gosh, Oh my GOSH. I'm madly in love with that fabric! Such cuuute kitties :)
ReplyDeleteI guess I still think of 'quilting cottons' as fashion fabrics that can be used for quilts. I don't remember seeing quilt specific yardage until maybe the late 80's (?) since traditionally quilts were made from scraps of dress and other fabric. Personally, I think it's more of a marketing scheme to boost cotton sales that popped up when fashion sewing hit the skids and quilting became the only sewing around. For me, if the broadcloth has a high thread count--it's interchangeable.
ReplyDeleteI think I am going to make this dress using Bake Sale fabric by Riley Blake
ReplyDeletehttp://www.rileyblakedesigns.com/shop/category/riley-blake-designs/just-arrived/bake-sale-cottons/
well, details about where to buy kitty print? the suspense.... please?
ReplyDelete:D Thank you so much for posting this, I love your style so much!!
ReplyDeleteOh my gosh that is the cutest kitty fabric I have ever seen! I need to invest in some myself! :)
ReplyDeletethis is darling ..love the fabric too
ReplyDeleteSo would it be at all safe to assume that all Micheal Miller quilting cotton is somewhat nice?
ReplyDeleteNice... new fancy ha ha...and good review.. Online Learning Solutions
ReplyDelete