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Choosing the right fabric is the key to making a great garment. With so many options for shopping online, it can be hard to find the perfect fabric without being able to touch and feel the fabric yourself.
This column is designed to help you get your next sewing project off to a great start with excellent fabric. We rounded up an international list of fabrics perfect for the Reggie and Gabrielle dresses, to make your online shopping simple and fun. So let's go fabric shopping!
The Best Fabrics for the Reggie Dress
1 | Chambray Union Dots in Indigo
Chambray is an ideal fabric for a wrap-front dress. It’s easy to sew and will drape nicely.
UK, CA, AU
4 | Ikat
The yarns for ikat fabrics are dyed before they are woven together, which gives this fabric distinct patterns and rich color combinations.
UK
2 | Rayon Challis
Despite its silky, slinky texture, rayon challis is easy to sew. Rayon crepe is another option—it has a slightly heavier drape and a different texture than challis.
AU, FR, NZ
5 | Double Gauze
Made with two layers of buttery cotton, double gauze is a delight to sew and wear.
AU, CA, CH, ES, FR, NZ, UK
3 | Loominous 2 Chemistry in Royal
Anna Maria Horner’s Loominous collection is full of bright colors and luxurious, drapey cotton fabrics.
AU, UK
6 | Cotton+Steel Rayon
It’s no secret that Cotton+Steel makes some of the best rayon you can buy.
CA, UK
Fabrics to Avoid:
Avoid heavyweight and very lightweight knits, such as: denim, canvas, and velvet.
The Best Fabrics for the Gabrielle Dress
1 | Art Gallery Jersey Knit
Jersey knits come in a variety of blends. Gabrielle looks great in a drapey knit fabric, so look for rayon or bamboo blends.
UK
4 | ITY
ITY (interlocking twist yarn) knits are rising in popularity. They have a high percentage of polyester, so not only are they very soft and stretchy, they are also resistant to wrinkles.
2 | Striped Jersey Knit
You can’t go wrong with a classic striped knit.
AU, CH, UK
5 | Metallic Dots
This jersey knit features a metallic design that really stands out.
UK
3 | Soy Knit
Often called “vegetable cashmere,” soy knits are incredibly soft with the perfect amount of stretch. If you can’t find soy knits, also look for rayon or bamboo blends.
CA, UK
6 | Bamboo Terry
French terry is a very soft, comfortable knit featuring loops on the wrong side of the fabric. Tip: Bamboo blends are extra soft.
UK, CA, CH, FR, NZ
Fabrics to Avoid:
Avoid heavyweight and very lightweight knits, such as: ponte, scuba, and tissue knits.
