I was tempted to call this my other Swedish dress, since I bought this fabric in Stockholm as one of my wearable souvenirs from our Scandinavian holiday, but actually the fabric is English! I bought it in Svenkst Tenn but “Oriental Bird” is a linen upholstery fabric by GP&J Baker, printed in England.
Yes, upholstery. I am wearing a couch. *womp womp*
😉
Y’know those upholstery adverts in magazines that showcase upholstery fabrics and even carpets by making “garments” from them and photographing them on a model, like a fashion spread? Well, I love that kind of thing. Fabric is fabric and honestly, I cannot see any reason why upholstery fabric cannot be worn just like any other fabric. I reckon if you like it then just go for it.
And the print is just beautiful. Just look at these colours! There are twenty three colours. Twenty flipping three… Meaning, twenty three separate screens were required to make the design. Having done some printing myself, I find that number of colours to be, quite simply, staggering. Think of the placement! Honestly, I cannot even comprehend. Consider my mind officially blown.
I used Burda 8511. I wanted a dress with minimum joins, seams and darts or any other fussy shaping details that would visually interfere with the large-scale print; and this fulfils all criteria. It’s a terrific little basic shift dress pattern. I’ve had mine for years and it is still in print and available today.
Speaking of the pattern… I’m gunning for Burda’s envelope pose here.
I shortened it slightly and, because I wanted a nice fit, went to the effort of a minor sway back adjustment. I also did my semi-regular FHA. Haven’t heard of the Full Hip Adjustment? well that’s probably because I just made it up, hehe. The FHA is enormously complicated, requiring one to grade out from the waist to a larger size at the hips.
Details:
Dress; Burda 8511, upholstery linen
Sandals; Zomp, from Zomp shoes
You are on a roll! What a lovely simple style to showcase your special fabric. Lots of happy memories. It looks great and the HK finish… definitely worth the effort. Just gorgeous.
thank you so much Dilliander! 🙂
This dress is really exquisite. Stiff and thick? one would never guess. Hopefully these characteristics will make it wear like iron. Kudos for the perfect interior finish.
I totally agree that a fabric can be used for anything you want, regardless of it's intended purpose. I have some furnishing fabric waiting to be made into a jacket so I say – if you like it why not wear it! . Your dress is gorgeous and your choice of pattern certainly showcases a beautiful fabric.
Sometimes upholstery fabric is too fabulous to be given to the couches. I love this print and the lovely dress you made from it. You always do such a great job of matching patterns to fabric so it all shines as one!
I love this dress, Carolyn. The fabric is beautiful.
thanks, patsijean 🙂
Pretty! I'm glad others appreciate nicely finished interiors. Makes me feel more normal. 😉
Its a beautiful dress, and fits beautifully. I agree fully that fabric is fabric, who are the upholstery police anyway?
Personally, I love secret inner details visible only to the wearer, they are so luxurious. Your Hong Kong finish is lovely.
I love the dress!! It looks really high end and the fabric is really beautiful but I'm obsessed with the interiors!! Great job!!!
That is a beautiful fabric, and the pattern shows it off so well, with minimal interruption. Love the Hong Kong finish.
I have admired a few garments made of upholstery fabric as well and have been waiting for the right time and pattern to make my own upholstery fabric. I love your dress and the style is perfect for such a large scale print!
This dress is just perfect, inside and out. Nobody could tell that this is upholstery fabric! Awsome.
thank you very much Helene! 🙂
Beautiful! I always have a peek at the spotlight furnishing fabrics, especially for bottom weight garments! Love this frock!
You're right it is a very pretty fabric and it makes a lovely dress!
very pretty. and perfect for a spring day. I like to use upholstery fabrics sometimes too – you can find some gems among them.
That is so gorgeous, inside and out. With 23 screens, no wonder the fabric was expensive. It looks wonderful.
This is a stunning dress and that fabric? Sensational! Beautifully made as usual. I've bought a bit of upholstery fabric recently and it does make magnificent clothing.
Beautiful fabric! I have thought about using upholstery fabric for shorts and then decided not to. Now I will! ha ha I have never seen or heard of that kind of finish before with the seams. That looks so nice and pretty.
I had a jacket many years ago made from upholstery fabric. I wish I could say it looked as good as that dress. Well done Carolyn, inside and out.
It's a very pretty dress and beautiful work as usual, Carolyn.
That's a beautiful dress. And I love how the sway back adjustment works. No wrinkles there!
This fabric is just amasing like that ! The perfect dress for this fabric. KISS
What an incredible dress – beautiful inside and out. I think the things we do only for our own satisfaction yield the best result. Not that I often bother with this…must try harder! Threads magazine had an issue showing jackets made with upholstery fabrics – some of them very glitzy! My only concern about this fabric is how you will clean it. I don't know how you feel about dry cleaning. I hate the very idea – like paying rent on an item I bought. Perhaps you pre-washed the fabric before making it up? No idea. But you look fabulous – love the nude shoes with the pale dress; very summery!
Yes, I pre-washed the fabric in my washing machine. It came out just fine and I plan to keep on washing it the same way 🙂
I am glad you said that about fabric because I have thought that before but have never been sure. I have cut a skirt out from an old curtain but I probably won't finish it until early ( our) spring now, as it's too pale in colour for this time of year. It will be interesting to see how it holds up when it's done. As well as being an elegant dress your finishing is a joy to behold!
Hey! If the fabric works for the design, go for it! I recently used a vintage brocade chenille I won at an online estate sale for a jacket. It's one of my favorite me-made pieces to date!
Ah, an FHA! So that is what I've been doing all this time. Glad it has an official name. I always eye some of the upholstery fabrics I see at a local store here. We have a really nice home decor fabric shop but not an apparel one- go figure. Love the print. It's perfect for this style of dress.
Gorgeous. Thank you for showing us the inside. Very pretty. I personally like the inside to look as nice as the outside, even if only I know. Love the pose. Who knows, maybe your FHA will make it into future sewing books. lol
Wow, I do really love this dress. Your choice of pattern for this amazing fabric couldn't be better. At first I thought the fabric was wallpaper in nature and then I see it's in fact upholstery linen. Either way, what a winner!! Your inner seams must feel secretly delicious.
Really beautfiul. You've inspired me to make clothes from furnishing fabrics- I so often admire them but think it's not suitable….
Just lovely!
I agree fabric is fabric. It just needz to be right for the design.. I haunt the home dec section mostly for jackets, vests and purses. I think your dess is lovely. A perfect marriage of fabric and pattern.
Beautiful dress. Your finish is impeccable. I must remember to take a peek in the home décor fabric section next time I get to visit a fabric shop.
That fabric is simply gorgeous, and makes such a beautiful dress! Your pattern choice and adjustments are spot on -it fits you like a glove!
Wow this is so special. Such a perfect use for such a beautiful print. I agree, wear any type of fabric anyway you like. I've been known to wear "curtains" before 😉
It is gorgeous and fits you so well!
So beautiful! I have a similar looking fabric I had set for a jacket but now I'm wondering how it would look as a dress. Lovely finish on the inside too, I rarely make that kind of effort but always feel pleased with myself when I do. It really makes an item special doesn't it?
I love this! I too am a huge fan of using "decor" fabrics for clothes and have done it many times. Your dress reminds me of one I made this fall but my pattern placement was a bit of a fail….http://creatinginthegap.blogspot.ca/2014/08/a-little-out-of-kilter.html I realized that I should have chosen a pattern with less seams and I should have bought more fabric.. Oh well live and learn! You knocked this one out of the park! Gorgeous Carolyn!
oooh hong kong seams very neat – I love that dress. Jo x
This is just stunning, Carolyn. What beautiful fabric.
WOW!!!! That is gorgeous!!!!! I LOVE the fabric print! Hong kong seams to be admired by us sewing lovers! Excellent work!
I've come to the conclusion via pinterest and the online sewing community the first rule of sewing really ought to be taught as 'First, start with beautiful fabric.'
And this post definitely confirms that opinion!
Also the simplicity of your pattern to showcase the fabric reminds me of the crazy 'mod' style fabrics and very simply-styled dresses. Wonder if that was part of the thinking behind that combination of style and fabric?
You picked the perfect silhouette to showcase that beautiful fabric. Gorgeous dress!
That's a gorgeous dress and I am so happy to see you made it from upholstery fabric. I keep seeing gorgeous upholstery fabrics and now I fully intend to follow your example and buy some the next time something catches my eye. Thanks!
Gorgeous dress, love the simple silhouette show casing that amazing fabric!
What a beautiful fabric! The dress shows it off perfectly and it looks great on you!
Perfect style for such a beautiful piece of cloth. You've let that birdie sing!
Really stunning what you did with this awesome fabric!
I have made many a thing out of upholstery fabric. Often it has the prints and other pretty details that other fabrics do not. My favorite – a straight shirt made from a black & white toile print.
You did this fabric justice by keeping it simple. Perfect.
This is lovely! I agree fabric is fabric and use what you love. Stunning detail finishing. (found you on IG)