For textiles with a built-in appearance of depth, look to 3-D fabrics. These eye-catching fabrics are layered to create the semblance of three-dimensional motifs. Available in prints from simple to intricate, the 3-D effect breathes life into the textiles. The fabric’s
illusion is produced by its construction: It is made with two layers—an opaque underlayer topped with a sheer overlay—printed with the same pattern. The layers are tacked together at regular intervals.
This allows them to shift slightly while maintaining the print alignment, so the motifs appear to hover above the fabric surface. In this article, I will explore some tips for easier sewing when working with these textiles and demonstrate how to create your own 3-D fabrics.