KatieJ Posted January 24, 2014 Share Posted January 24, 2014 http://mccallpattern.mccall.com/m6646-products-29588.php?page_id=109 I am being asked to sew a prom dress in camo fabric. I can do the sewing, but finding camo fabric in special occasion weight is quite the challenge. (No judgements on the camo choice. She is a darling girl who hunts with her Dad and it reflects her personality.) She is looking at the pink version in the above pattern with the lace at the waste, but doing the 3 layer floor length gown. . We have found some 100 percent cotton shirting weight in the print she wants. I am hesitant to use it because I think it might be too stiff and not lay nice. As I look over the pattern, the pink dress ( 1 tier version) has a top layer of tulle and then a layer of satin and lace at the waist and between layers. The cotton shirting we are looking at is probably about the same stiffness as the glittery tulle suggested in the pattern. Any one have any thoughts? Real Tree satin is available only on line and is pretty expensive, so we are trying to avoid that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
itsheresomewhere Posted January 24, 2014 Share Posted January 24, 2014 I saw a beautiful chiffon in camo the other day in a mom and pop store. Check out fabric.com or jandofabrics.com and see if they have any. Real tree (or maybe it was a real tree knockoff) used to make a satin like bedsheet set. Maybe look on ebay and see if they have any. It would be nice fabric for a prom dress. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FaithManor Posted January 24, 2014 Share Posted January 24, 2014 You are right that the shirting fabric will not drape. Now if you put it over a single layer of tulle and then steam it after washing with a lot of fabric softener, it would loosen up some. It will still look very casual, and may not lay properly. However, it's entirely possible that she doesn't mind either. How many yards do you need? The reason I ask is that there is a seller on Etsy that has bridal satin quality pink, hunting camo for $9.95 a yard. Since this is a short gown, 3 yards would only be $30.00 plus shipping. I didn't stop to figure up shipping. Way less than buying a prom gown, and possibly worth the investment to have a nice, flowing dress. Faith Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wendy not in HI Posted January 24, 2014 Share Posted January 24, 2014 I was at our local Hancock Fabric store last week looking at prom fabric and patterns with my dd's friend. We saw some satin camo! I remember seeing it in pink, but I can't remember if they had it in green if that is what she is thinking. http://www.hancockfabrics.com/Camouflage-Satin-Realtree-AP-Pink-Fabric_stcVVproductId156296391VVviewprod.htm Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wendy not in HI Posted January 24, 2014 Share Posted January 24, 2014 PS - that is expensive fabric! $12-$27 a yard! It could be fun to buy satin camo for one layer, and then different colors to compliment the camo in the lower layers - greens or tans or pinks... Or just wait until you have a 40% off coupon... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KatieJ Posted January 24, 2014 Author Share Posted January 24, 2014 We don't have a Hancock here. It will take between 4 and 5 yards of fabric so buying it online is pretty expensive. I did see some on Fabric.com, that I haven't seen before today. The order would be big enough that we would get free shipping. I just like to touch the fabric KWIM? I know she doens't want pink or the winter white ones, but I don't know which of the Real Tree she likes other than that. But thanks for the help so far! Any other ideas? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
itsheresomewhere Posted January 24, 2014 Share Posted January 24, 2014 We don't have a Hancock here. It will take between 4 and 5 yards of fabric so buying it online is pretty expensive. I did see some on Fabric.com, that I haven't seen before today. The order would be big enough that we would get free shipping. I just like to touch the fabric KWIM? I know she doens't want pink or the winter white ones, but I don't know which of the Real Tree she likes other than that. But thanks for the help so far! Any other ideas? You can get samples of the fabric at fabric.com. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FaithManor Posted January 24, 2014 Share Posted January 24, 2014 Try fashion fabrics dot com. We bought dupioni silk, bridal chiffon, 100% cotton lawn, and a few other fabrics from them for dd's wedding all without samples and the fabrics were terrific! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
plansrme Posted January 24, 2014 Share Posted January 24, 2014 I am pretty sure that I speak for everyone here when I say that if you do not post a picture when you finish, there will be consequences. I bet it will be adorable and want to be sure we have a chance to admire it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
readwithem Posted January 25, 2014 Share Posted January 25, 2014 Here Joann's has camo satin - do you have a Joann's near you? Or maybe at that price you could just take a chance….. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KatieJ Posted January 25, 2014 Author Share Posted January 25, 2014 Here Joann's has camo satin - do you have a Joann's near you? Or maybe at that price you could just take a chance….. I really appreciate your help! Yes, we have JoAnn's and we have been haunting them trying to find what she wants. That camo you linked is a military type of camo, and she wants a hunting camo, specifically Real Tree copywrited print which is much harder to find. . http://wanelo.com/p/4603212/realtree-camo-prom-dress-store-realtree-com Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KatieJ Posted January 25, 2014 Author Share Posted January 25, 2014 I am pretty sure that I speak for everyone here when I say that if you do not post a picture when you finish, there will be consequences. I bet it will be adorable and want to be sure we have a chance to admire it. Thanks! I think if we find the right fabric it will be adorable. The hunt is on. Pun intended. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Catwoman Posted January 25, 2014 Share Posted January 25, 2014 I am pretty sure that I speak for everyone here when I say that if you do not post a picture when you finish, there will be consequences. I bet it will be adorable and want to be sure we have a chance to admire it. I want to see it, too. :hurray: Being a non-hunter, I would never have thought of the whole camo thing, but I think a teenage girl can get away with wearing pretty much anything she wants, so I think she should rock the camo if it's what she likes. :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FaithManor Posted January 25, 2014 Share Posted January 25, 2014 Very true Cat! Around here one of the fads is making prom dresses and suits out of duct tape. Last year one of the girls and her friends made one out of duct tape leaves. They worked for months and it was a really, really neat dress when they were done with it. But, what she didn't count on was how heavy it was, and the downside was she didn't stay at her prom very long because she was sooooo uncomfortable! I'm all for the girls getting creative and not wearing cookie cutter gowns. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jenn121 Posted January 25, 2014 Share Posted January 25, 2014 Here are some I found. Not sure what expensive is in your budget but most of these are 60 inches wide on this first link http://www.snydercreek.com/Formal-Fabric-page-2.html http://www.rockywoods.com/Fabrics-Kits/Satin-Dress-Fabrics?search=satin Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
readwithem Posted January 25, 2014 Share Posted January 25, 2014 I really appreciate your help! Yes, we have JoAnn's and we have been haunting them trying to find what she wants. That camo you linked is a military type of camo, and she wants a hunting camo, specifically Real Tree copywrited print which is much harder to find. . http://wanelo.com/p/4603212/realtree-camo-prom-dress-store-realtree-com Oh sorry! I didn't even notice the difference. I would talk to Joann's to see whether they could get some for you. The one near me can order just about anything - but it's their largest store so that might make a difference. And YES you must post a picture when you finish!! I think it's very cool that she doesn't want a typical dress but one that fits HER personality :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
readwithem Posted January 25, 2014 Share Posted January 25, 2014 Katie - What if one of us who lives near a Hancock sent you a sample? I totally get wanting to touch the fabric :D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KatieJ Posted January 25, 2014 Author Share Posted January 25, 2014 Katie - What if one of us who lives near a Hancock sent you a sample? I totally get wanting to touch the fabric :D It looks like hancock only carries the pink satin real tree and I don't think she wants the white or the pink. I have found the white locally and I am going to check on them ordering a different color for me. My concern is they might want me to buy the whole bolt.But at least I know that it is what we want if we can find a color she likes. But thank you! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KatieJ Posted January 25, 2014 Author Share Posted January 25, 2014 Here are some I found. Not sure what expensive is in your budget but most of these are 60 inches wide on this first link http://www.snydercreek.com/Formal-Fabric-page-2.html http://www.rockywoods.com/Fabrics-Kits/Satin-Dress-Fabrics?search=satin Yes, I have seen those sites. Last weekend she was pretty adamant that it was "real tree" that she wanted and those websites are a different print/copywrite, but I am going to send her Mom those websites to look at today. Until last night I was hopoing JoAnn's would be getting in more of a selection. (their deliveries didn't come in on time last week, so we waited to see what came in this week.) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wendy not in HI Posted January 25, 2014 Share Posted January 25, 2014 I keep thinking about your dress, and now I'm thinking that you should go with a traditional cotton camo fabric, not satin... it will be stiff, but that will make it more fifties / shirt-dress looking, and fun! With the tulle layer, it will be just adorable. I think finding the "right" camo will be challenge enough... and maybe she needs a little orange in there, too! I made a flight-suit dress for a party once. It was made out of a flight suit - a basic heavy cotton in dark green.... and it turned out great, if I do day so myself! It had a layer of tulle, and it was really fun to wear. I think the opposites (heavy dark fabric with pink ribbon and fun tulle in party dress) is what made it cute. Trying to link on my kindle -http://rapidlife.blogspot.com/2006/08/flightsuit-party.html Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
plansrme Posted January 25, 2014 Share Posted January 25, 2014 I keep thinking about your dress, and now I'm thinking that you should go with a traditional cotton camo fabric, not satin... it will be stiff, but that will make it more fifties / shirt-dress looking, and fun! With the tulle layer, it will be just adorable. I think finding the "right" camo will be challenge enough... and maybe she needs a little orange in there, too! I made a flight-suit dress for a party once. It was made out of a flight suit - a basic heavy cotton in dark green.... and it turned out great, if I do day so myself! It had a layer of tulle, and it was really fun to wear. I think the opposites (heavy dark fabric with pink ribbon and fun tulle in party dress) is what made it cute. Trying to link on my kindle -http://rapidlife.blogspot.com/2006/08/flightsuit-party.html I think this is a great idea. Soft cottons will not be shiny, but the tulle will dress them up. Also, since the RT camo is so expensive, what about using it as an accent (such as in place of the lace) and a coordinating solid satin for the body? Can't wait to see it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KatieJ Posted January 25, 2014 Author Share Posted January 25, 2014 I think this is a great idea. Soft cottons will not be shiny, but the tulle will dress them up. Also, since the RT camo is so expensive, what about using it as an accent (such as in place of the lace) and a coordinating solid satin for the body? Can't wait to see it. I actually have been kicking that idea around for a week now, which is why I started this thread. I keep thinking I should be able to use the cotton and make it happen, but since I am very self taught I just keep rethinking my thinking. THey think I am an expert. Experienced yes. Expert no! BTW..she nixed the whoel tulle fabric layer from the beginning. She doesn't want all that shiny/glittery stuff.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MomatHWTK Posted January 25, 2014 Share Posted January 25, 2014 If she's not wanting shiny, etc. then the cotton may be fine. I used cotton to make a Barbie dress with the fitted bodice and full skirt and it was cute. Small- but cute. ;) I used ribbon to trim the top. Maybe do a little mock up of a doll sized skirt to let her see how it will drape and you get a feel for working with it? If the print makes the cotton stiff, you might try pre-washing a few times to loosen it up. ETA: I had a corset like bodice and skirt made with cotton once and it was very cute. I work a tulle type underskirt to make the topskirt flare more. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KatieJ Posted January 26, 2014 Author Share Posted January 26, 2014 If she's not wanting shiny, etc. then the cotton may be fine. I used cotton to make a Barbie dress with the fitted bodice and full skirt and it was cute. Small- but cute. ;) I used ribbon to trim the top. Maybe do a little mock up of a doll sized skirt to let her see how it will drape and you get a feel for working with it? If the print makes the cotton stiff, you might try pre-washing a few times to loosen it up. ETA: I had a corset like bodice and skirt made with cotton once and it was very cute. I work a tulle type underskirt to make the topskirt flare more. I have thought about getting some of the fabric and trying a sample to see how it gathers. I like the idea of using the camo for the lace between layers. I think most of you think this is going to be a short dress. She wants the long 3 tiered version on the pattern. Which means lots of gathers and lots of layers. If the cotton doesn't drape nice, it will be stiff and ugly. That's my concern. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jean in Newcastle Posted January 26, 2014 Share Posted January 26, 2014 She may just have to pay more for nicer fabric. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mom2samlibby Posted January 26, 2014 Share Posted January 26, 2014 Shirting fabric will make the dress a lot heavier. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
justasque Posted January 26, 2014 Share Posted January 26, 2014 I have thought about getting some of the fabric and trying a sample to see how it gathers. I like the idea of using the camo for the lace between layers. I think most of you think this is going to be a short dress. She wants the long 3 tiered version on the pattern. Which means lots of gathers and lots of layers. If the cotton doesn't drape nice, it will be stiff and ugly. That's my concern. I would use one of the views that doesn't gather the skirt to the waistband. I think it will avoid bulk at the waist. I'm not clear how long the "long" version of that view is, but you can always add length to the appropriate pieces if needed. That said, this is a *very* tricky dress to do well, and will probably look best on a pretty thin girl. Just make sure her expectations are realistic. Talk to her about what she likes about the dress, and consider doing some sketches to be sure you are on the same page and she understands how the dress will drape on her. You might find that you can get her "essential elements" on a dress with simpler lines that is more suited to the fabric. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.