Replies

1. 
   Elisabeth | Mar 18, 2004 08:16pm | #1

   Yes, the dupioni I use has slubs and some color variations. However, I have been using colors other than natural or white. I just made a red top for my daughter and I almost felt like I needed to cut around the "pulls". That is the charm of dupoini though, the texture.

   Most importantly, what does your daughter think of it? If it is unrolled and held up as a long skirt, how does it look? Dupioni is very nice in volume. How does it look with the lace you mentioned previously for the bodice? Will the mild horizontal texture work with your chosen design?

   E.

1. 
   Madeleine | Mar 19, 2004 02:18pm | #2

   Hello Elisabeth.  My daughter hasn't seen the purchased piece of fabric yet, but she did see it in the store so she knows the texture.  We held up the lace and the fabric bolt with the douppioni together when we made the selection, so we are pleased with the look.  My concern is more about the quality of the actual fabric piece I received.  I began cutting yesterday and have been careful about the placement of the pieces.  I'm hoping to finish the cutting today...I have an unexpected day off because of a snowstorm!

1. 
   ShannonG4d | Mar 19, 2004 04:10pm | #3

   Madeline, the slubs and "pulls" you describe are part of the inherent quality of dupioni (which is made from twin silkworm bags, as I recall).  You can do as you are doing and adjust your layout to avoid those areas that are least desirable, or you could pull the offending thread to the wrong side of the fabric (as for the snag on a knit).  You will want to do this before cutout, so if the result is less than desirable you can avoid that area.

   My opinion?  The hallmark of dupioni is the irregularity of the fabric.  Synthetic copies of dupioni don't have that; they are "perfect".  I'll leave the slubs and bits of "stuff" as a hallmark of the real thing...but that's me.

   Shannon

2. 
   Elisabeth | Mar 19, 2004 05:18pm | #4

   Now that is one well timed snow storm!  Hmm, I am trying hard to remember the dupioni I have seen at the JoAnn's here.  It is pretty.  If anything it is possibly a tiny bit coarser than what I might find elsewhere.  Even if they sold you something that is not the best quality my thought is that it is probably fine and will be just as beautiful in the way that silk always is.  It will sew as easily and the finished gown nicely pressed and underlined will be perfect. You are not the only one that is suspicious of JoAnn's fabrics, it is a mystery fabric mecca!E.

1. 
   Madeleine | Mar 22, 2004 12:11am | #5

   Well, I have cut all the pieces and it seems that I was able to avoid any areas that were truly questionable.  I'm optimistic; so far it looks as though it will be beautiful, and my daughter is pleased.  That's what matters most ;-)