Sew Fancy Fabrics into Everyday Styles
Sew your fanciest textiles into go-to garmentsI can’t resist gorgeous, glitzy, over-the-top fabrics: slubby silk dupioni, embroidered silk organza, sumptuous velvet, anything shot with gold or silver threads. However, I don’t have many cotillions, galas, or awards shows on my social calendar. Rather than let this minor fact of life keep me from enjoying traditionally formal fabrics, I decided I would find ways to incorporate glamour into my everyday life.
This idea took shape following the birth of my second son. I already had a toddler, so it seemed that I was doomed to spend my days in practical, washable T-shirts and sweatpants. Yes, a wardrobe of cotton knits was ultimately practical, but it was also boring. I splurged on a Donna Karan design, Vogue 2895 (unfortunately, now out of print) and some silk crepe de Chine. I threw the silk into the washer and dryer, then made some practical nursing tops from it. I wore and washed them on a weekly basis and felt so chic on playdates.
Since then, I have been incorporating the fancy stuff into my everyday style. So can you. Take a look at some ideas that will make you feel like you’re walking the red carpet every day.
Pretreat materials
Most of the fabrics that we have been taught are dry-clean only do just fine in the washing machine. Washing fabric yardage is essential to avoid post-sewing shrinkage. However, some textiles, such as heavily beaded fabrics, do not react well to machine-washing.
Machine-wash gently
Put the yardage through a short, cold-water wash cycle with gentle soap, then machine-dry at a low temperature. Once the fabric has been made into a garment, use the same wash cycle, but skip the dryer and hang the…
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I love this article and found it so inspiring. More like this please!
Thanks so much for this article! I love silk clothes (so comfortable and beautiful) but silk PJs and Ts are so costly! Off to fabric shop for some silk crepe de chine!