Thursday, July 4, 2013

Upcoming: Kitty-Print Quilting Cotton Dress (!)

I really don't know what's come over me, readers. So let me start from the beginning. First, I came across this really fabulous dress pattern by Serendipity Studio. I had to have it.


 Then, I noticed that all of the dress samples for the pattern are made in quilting cottons.


I've written about the negatives of using quilting cottons for garments (too stiff, bulky) and received some flack for it. In fact, some people see it as outright snobbery if you eschew quilting cottons.

I'm willing to be proven wrong, and it occurred to me that this is the perfect kind of dress to experiment with a quilting cotton--the design seems to benefit from the body of the fabric.

Then I decided I would use the quilting-est cotton I could find: crazy cat lady print! I mean, you would never find this in a nice crepe de chine, right?

Before I knew it, I had ordered the fabric (Michael Miller "Kitties", if you're interested. I found mine on Etsy) and I have one weird dress in the works. All I know is that it will probably look great with my hair, even if I look ridiculous overall. Whatever, it will be fun. Wish me luck, readers.

In other news, new fabric in the shop and the sale continues! I found some great rayon challis as well as the yellow floral Ascher print I made the below dress in. Other favorites, like the Ascher bow print and mint gingham are re-stocked. Use code HAPPY4TH to get 10% off.





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33 comments:

  1. KristinJuly 4, 2013 at 12:25 PM

    I just finished that same dress about a month ago and I used a quilting weight cotton from Amy Butler. It worked (I think). I've made a few things out of quilting weight cotton just because I liked the price and the patterns. But it can make a rather stiff garment (in my very little experienced opinion). My next few projects are all garment weight fabrics. I can't wait to see the kitty dress! Here is my dress: http://augustmorning.blogspot.com/2013/06/sew-serendipity-marilyn.html

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  2. UnknownJuly 4, 2013 at 12:31 PM

    I use calico and quilting cotton all the time. I've made several 1940s style day dresses, a few Vintage Vogue dresses with circle skirts, dresses for my daughter, etc. The fabric is very cost-effective, especially if purchased on sale at Joann's, and is very comfortable to wear in the Arizona heat. Just be sure you prewash your fabric, as cotton will shrink. Good luck!

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  3. DanielleJuly 4, 2013 at 12:36 PM

    Oh.....and another one on the to do list ....

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  4. Elizabeth's quartersJuly 4, 2013 at 12:55 PM

    I've just made the Serendipity Bebe dress, and while I loved the pattern, using quilting cottons just didn't make sense to me–do I really want to look like a human quilt? So I used chambray and Liberty lawn instead, I'm quite taken with your kittens though!

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  5. StephanieJuly 4, 2013 at 1:14 PM

    I use quilting cotton quite a bit for dd and some for myself. I also think quality quilting cotton works much better then the super cheap stuff.

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  6. Claire MeldrumJuly 4, 2013 at 1:51 PM

    If anyone can make that into a cute summer outfit, it's you, Gertie.

    btw, I agree about quilting cottons. I do use them for children's clothes fairly often because they're bright and cheerful and the garments have a simple shape but I don't think I've ever sewn a garment for an adult from them. They just don't have the right hand for most projects.

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  7. Tera NelsonJuly 4, 2013 at 2:20 PM

    I love that dress pattern! and I found a fab lemon and cherry fabric to make this out of. Thanks!

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  8. TillyJuly 4, 2013 at 2:43 PM

    I cannot WAIT to see this xx

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  9. CeciliJuly 4, 2013 at 3:31 PM

    That fabric is far from ridiculous, actually I've been sewing with kitty prints for years and I've gotten quite the positive comments so don't worry I'm sure people will love what you made :)

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  10. Rochelle NewJuly 4, 2013 at 5:09 PM

    I practically ONLY sew with cotton because it's the only fabric I really love to wear! Quilting cottons are awesome because they come in so many fun prints and they work awfully well for a fun sun dress pattern like you've just discovered. I can't wait to see what you think of this soon to be dress :)

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  11. mimi oJuly 4, 2013 at 5:12 PM

    I think this dress will be just adorable in the "kitty" print. You've got to have some fun in life and if people look at you a little "side-ways" so be it!!! You are who you are...

    Happy 4th of July and look forward to this project showing up on this blog. :-D

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  12. Trina M CurranJuly 4, 2013 at 7:08 PM

    I'm dying. Must have the kitty fabric, and I think the dress will be DARLING in it. :)

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  13. Nora MorrisonJuly 4, 2013 at 8:43 PM

    Thank you. My family has been looking at me askance since I started my Siamese cat print wide leg, high waisted sailor pants. Now I shall persevere knowing that I am not alone. Cat Lady Power!

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  14. AllisonJuly 4, 2013 at 11:35 PM

    I also try to stay away from quilting cottons.
    But this post cracked me up. I love the kitty fabric.

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  15. RyanJuly 5, 2013 at 12:39 AM

    I've had successful dresses and failures out of quilting cottons. It really only works for some full skirted dresses. However, if you'd like to try you hand at crazy cat lady made out if silk chiffon, I've seen a green polka dot with kittens. I really considered getting enough for a maxi dress, but it seemed a little over the top.

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  16. RednoserunpetJuly 5, 2013 at 3:03 AM

    just love your blog..

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  17. SandraJuly 5, 2013 at 4:57 AM

    Oh I am really interested to hear your thoughts on quilting cotton after this project. Luck!

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  18. BeanJuly 5, 2013 at 6:29 AM

    You will be the cats MEOW :)

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  19. UnknownJuly 5, 2013 at 8:39 AM

    I have to agree with @Rochelle New, I sew almost exclusively with quilting cotton and other various forms of cotton. I'm home with four kids under six all day; if I can't throw my dress in the washer and dryer it'spointless. I have always had good results with quilting cottons etc, never had anything too bulky. mind you, im only making day dresses and skirts/blouses. I am trying to branch out into jersey and knits though. Can you imagine making PB&J sandwiches wearing vintage rayon or wiping bums in silk? It's cotton, linen, cotton shirting, voil all the way.

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  20. IudithJuly 5, 2013 at 10:26 AM

    ooooh, love!!! the kitties :) and the pattern too, that will be such a cute dress!

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  21. TashaJuly 5, 2013 at 10:29 AM

    Like Rochelle and Meg D, I almost entirely sew with cotton, and sometimes that includes quilting cotton (with wool being about the only other thing I like to sew with/wear). I work from home most of the time and have a very casual vintage wardrobe. For my lifestyle and wardrobe in the summer, it's cotton all the way! So a good quality quilting cotton for casual dresses and skirts totally works! I just wish more manufacturers would make great patterns in lighter weight cottons--NOT just the voiles and lawn that I only seem to find in limited patterns and prints, but more like many of my vintage cottons--for when it's so brutally hot you want the least amount of clothing on as possible, but you don't want just a boring shirting print. ;)

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    Replies
    1. AnonymousJuly 7, 2013 at 5:58 PM

      Here, here, I feel ya Tasha. I live in semi-tropical environ and know exactly what you mean. ;-)

      Lyric
      http://www.SewAndCro.com

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  22. JoniJuly 5, 2013 at 10:35 AM

    Novelty print quilting cottons are almost the only thing I sew with. But there are quilting cottons and then there are quilting cottons. I really only use the good brands. Amy Butler and Tula Pink make for really fun dresses! My most recent sewing expedition was in a Michael Miller lobster print and it turned out stunning.

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  23. PatFJuly 5, 2013 at 11:14 AM

    So what's so different about quilting cotton? Is it made from a coarser fibre, or is it treated with something that will wash out?

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  24. MichelleJuly 5, 2013 at 1:41 PM

    I am perfectly fine with being labeled a fabric snob. I would not want to wear quilting cotton either.

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  25. LouiseJuly 5, 2013 at 3:42 PM

    Love the fabric and dress pattern

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  26. TanyaJuly 5, 2013 at 8:46 PM

    I absolutely love the Marilyn pattern - I look forward to seeing your dress and I can't wait to get the pattern!! Looks like I'll be having to visit a tried, tested and trusted website on how to do a full bust adjustment on a gathered bodice, using a tried, tested and trusted website: http://www.lazystitching.com/2010/11/full-bust-adjustment-gathered-bodice/

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  27. UnknownJuly 5, 2013 at 10:54 PM

    I do a lot of quilting as well as garment sewing, and I use the quilting cotton for both. One thing for sure is that the cotton wrinkles and definitely needs Ironed when it comes out of the dryer... but it works well for a lot of things. I LOVE cotton voile for lightweight summer dresses and blouses.

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  28. AnonymousJuly 7, 2013 at 5:54 PM

    Gertie girl,

    Gone do your thing. It will be cute. Eagerly looking forward to seeing what you come up with.

    Oh, btw, I am looking forward to working with quilting cottons due to affordability and Jo-Ann's 40% off coupons. I've decided you are rich, Gerties so hats off to quilting cotton snobbery, you gotta do you girl.

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  29. cup + pennyJuly 8, 2013 at 1:17 PM

    That kitten fabric is hilarious! Awesome, awesome, awesome.

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  30. Sarah-MariaJuly 8, 2013 at 3:02 PM

    Nothing better than a good kitten print! I got a bunch in my shop...it would be lovely if you'd stop by some time!

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  31. BexJuly 8, 2013 at 9:56 PM

    I admit to sewing most of my dresses in quilting cotton - where else can I get a nice 1940s repro print?

    BTW - here's your Gertie Sundress made in quilters cotton! hehe http://subversivelesbiananarchicknitter.blogspot.com.au/2013/03/fo-tattoo-print-sundress.html

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Thanks for your comments; I read each and every one! xo Gertie

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