Replies

1. 
   jjgg | Sep 18, 2009 11:31pm | #1

   I would wear a camisole or something else under it. If you line/underline the georgette, you will drastically change the hand of it, it won't be the same.

1. 
   fabricholic | Sep 18, 2009 11:50pm | #2

   So it's not a very good blouse material, I guess. This is what made me start thinking about it. http://www.voguepatterns.com/item/V1127.htm?tab=whats_new&page=1 The blouse is supposed to be made out of georgette.

1. 
   natsnasus | Sep 19, 2009 12:24am | #3

   Georgette is tricky to sew and handle...BUT it can be done. Is the blouse pattern calling for the torso part being laid out on the bias? If so just smooth out your fabric very slowly and carefully so as to not pull it, so your bias lines can be true and not stretched.
   I agree with the other answer. A cute color coordinating camisole would be great under it!
   Or if you're feeling adventurous, get a matching solid color of georgette and cut 2 torsos. Leave the sleeves unlined and more sheer.
   That way the main body part is lined but the sleeves aren't.
   Sometimes I look in the remnant bin for cheap georgette to practice with on a pattern I've never done yet so I don't ruin my 'good' piece.Good luck!

1. 
   fabricholic | Sep 19, 2009 12:40am | #4

   I haven't bought the pattern, I just admired it. All those silk chiffons and georgettes are so pretty. Thanks for the good information.
   Marcy

2. 
   jjgg | Sep 19, 2009 06:14am | #5

   No, Georgette and chiffon can make a great blouse. yes, they can be very difficult to work with, but there are several strategies that can help. If you plan on machine washing the top, you can spray starch the fabric before you sew it so it behaves better.When I work with shifty fabric, ( chiffon, charmesue etc) I always lay it out on a fabric covered table (use an old bed sheet), the sheet will 'grab' the fabric and keep it from sliding and shifting all over the place. also, when you first lay it out, get down close tot he surface of the fabric and blow on it to straighten it out, this helps to let the fabric settle into it's natural grain (I hope that made sense).Another thing I often do is cut rectangles of the fabric for each pattern piece, it is easier to straighten out a smaller rectangle than several yards of fabric. You may end up needing a little extra fabric to do this, but it really makes life a lot easier. In other words; lay out the fabric and pattern pieces as you normally would, try to keep each piece well separated from the next, then cut roughly around each piece giving yourself very large margins, then you can take each 'chunk' make sure the grain is straight, and re-pin, cut out the precise patter piece.

1. 
   fabricholic | Sep 19, 2009 03:04pm | #6

   I'm going to start calling you the library of jjgg. lol You are so full of knowledge. What great tips. Actually, I did cut out big rectangles when I was making these sheer panels, just so I could handle it easier. Blowing on it is a great tip that I never would have thought of and spray starch is another great tip. Threads are you listening? jjgg, you should get all the gifts for great tips! I might just have to try it now. The fabrics are so lovely.
   Thank you,
   Marcy

1. 
   jjgg | Sep 19, 2009 08:58pm | #10

   Another problem with these fabrics is that after the piece is cut out, it looses its shape, you really have no idea where the seam line is etc. So, what I do is lay out the fabric, lay out the pattern piece and with the pattern piece in place(I use weights not pins) I will hand baste the seam line on the fabric before I ever move anything off the table. Yes, it's a lot of work, but if you want perfection (I didn't say that word, I AM NOT a perfectionist). It really is worth the effort, baste all the notches etc because once you pick it up off the table the shape just morphs and if you don't get it right under the sewing machine, it will be noticeable.Yes, I cut out everything single layer, the stuff is just too shifty to fold the fabric.

2. 
   fabricholic | Sep 19, 2009 11:12pm | #12

   Great ideas and I'll bet your work is perfection. If you are going to do this, you might as well do it right. Thanks.Marcy

3. 
   artfulenterprises | Sep 19, 2009 05:16pm | #7

   The blouse fabric in your inspiration foto looks more like a charmeuse than a georgette. The charmeuse of course is not so sheer. But either is lovely. When I was designing wedding gowns, intricate patterns were cut from these slippery fabrics by laying tissue paper down over a cutting board that allowed me to use punch pins on the selvage edges.
   The fabric would be carefully "squared" and pinned down although one must be careful not to use too heavy a pin so as to avoid creating "runs" in the delicate fabric. This method is especially great for large sections, such as long skirts, etc. but assures a proper grainline on any project.

1. 
   fabricholic | Sep 19, 2009 06:23pm | #8

   I think in the Vogue Pattern magazine they suggested georgette but, didn't say what was really used, it probably stated a designer original. I don't remember. Anyway, it is a nice outfit. Designing wedding gowns, that is impressive.
   Marcy

2. 
   Ckbklady | Sep 19, 2009 07:15pm | #9

   Hiya,

   While I agree with jjgg about the change to the hand of the fabric if you do anything but wear a camisole, I just wanted to mention that a slight change of hand (pardon the pun) may not be too bad a thing. I've made little georgette t-shirts of two layers of georgette (and once, three). That makes them opaque and keeps them pretty.

   I've also made single-layer blouses and worn them open (or front tails knotted) over a black t-shirt.

   It's a slippery enough fabric, so double layer sewing is a challenge, but I just baste with big stitches as if I were grid quilting the two together, and pull out the basting thread once the whole garment is complete.

   The downside? It requires 2-3 times as much fabric. The upside? The fun of feeling like you're sewing fairy gossamer!

   Happy sewing!

   :) Ckbklady

    

1. 
   fabricholic | Sep 19, 2009 11:09pm | #11

   I love your ideas. That would be beautiful over a black t shirt. How about one of those black sleeveless t-shirts that they call wife beaters? That would be pretty, also. Thanks for the great ideas.Marcy

1. 
   Ckbklady | Sep 19, 2009 11:15pm | #13

   I'm glad I wasn't drinking tea while I read your post - wife beaters? To many maybe an offensive name, but I get the reference and had to giggle. But I thought a true "wife beater" was white? In my old neighborhood the older, plump Italian men used to wear the white undershirts while watering their driveways. (We called them the "tarmac gardeners", LOL!)

   Before I get vigorously flamed by someone offended by my giggling, may I suggest that the term, "tank top" might suffice? :)

   Oh, and, yeah, a loose chiffon blouse over a "euphemism-of-your-choice" is very pretty!

   Chuckling,

   Ckbklady

1. 
   fabricholic | Sep 20, 2009 12:25am | #14

   I guess a true one is white but, they make them in black. That's what the kids call them. It's not exactly just a tank. It is that rib knit but, you know what I mean. Tarmac Gardeners is funny.

2. 
   natsnasus | Sep 20, 2009 04:18am | #15

   Yeah I'm not too crazy about the term, 'wife beater'....hey television execs are YOU listening?

   There's a PSA about saying it's... 'so gay'... meaning dumb, stupid, lame etc,  and asking folks to stop saying it. So can we get one of those for using 'wife beater'?

   Remember when 'thong' meant what you wore on your foot and not a skimpy piece of barely there underwear?

    

   ROFLOL

3. 
   Cityoflostsouls | Sep 27, 2009 03:52pm | #16

   Years ago there was a tiny town in Ohio where all the men and boys were known for wearing only white shirts.  No one ever knew why but it is what the town was known for.  Back then it was really unusual and I'd still like to know WHY?

1. 
   Ckbklady | Sep 27, 2009 07:27pm | #17

   Maybe they were all waiters? Pharmacists? Busboys? Doctors? Do let us know here if you dig up an answer!

   It occurs to me it might be an Amish, Mennonite or Hutterite community - maybe that's it?

   :) Ckbklady

2. 
   Cityoflostsouls | Sep 28, 2009 02:05am | #18

   None of those occupations were in that hill community!  It may very well be that they were Mennenites as my grandmother was brought up in that religion so they were probably around there. She later changed but used to tell about foot washing and I have her song book (paper but no music included!)  She never lived there.  I think everything was farming.  I was from the next County and we were much more sophisticated.  The ground leveled out and was covered with prosperous farms.  The land in our county is selling for $6000 an acre and has developed considerably-at least it was until this recession.  Unless the land is inherited people can't afford to farm it anymore!