Dirndl skirts

[jackie66]

During my experiments making different dress styles I have often considered the dirndl skirted dress. Looking at commercial patterns from the past I noted that the actual hem length only usually came to about 60 inches. The genuine articles from national costumes did in fact have 3 "widths" in their skirt sections - a "width" being a hip measurement.
The dress I am making at the moment is being made using 3 widths and is being made from floral printed cotton. I do wish I could find some fabric with a pattern running lengthwise so that I could make a lovely border print dress in this style.

[Reggie]

Jackie,

I know of your condition, but if you could make it I think you could find what you are looking for in Birminghams "Rag Market" there are all the fabrics under the sun to be found there Good Luck

[Iona Black]

Something you could consider is sari material, as that usually has a border pattern along the selvedge.

If you can't get hold of any, let me know. I can get my hands on them rather easilly. Birmingham is the best place to be for material!

[jackie66]

Thank you , Iona, but I live next to Bradford where they have loads of Indian/Pakistani cloth shops.
The fabrics I seek are full bodied and handle well. The Asian fabrics are naturally lighter in weight and not generally the fabric I seek.
I really do try to recreate the dress styles of yesteryear using fabrics that perform in a similar way

[Iona Black]

I didn't realise you were so close to Bradford, and Reggie forgot (she's here on a short visit).

I have managed to get sarees of all weights, right up to good, heavyweight silk and down to Indian silk which, as you will know, is very light as well as chiffons and loose-weave silks. I have THE most fantastic shop just along the road from me and it's one of those places I just can't get out of empty-handed. I just bought a black chiffon/silver embroidered weave sari to add to my ever-growing collection.

I have plans to turn at least a couple of them into Regency dresses, as the material is of a suitable weight and drape for the period. I've seen your pics, and at some point, I'd love to sit down and compare notes with you on styles and so on. :)

[jackie66]

I would certainly love to do that--Its real fun testing one's abilities. In the past I did consider asian fabrics but they just dont seem right. The same applies to Asian jewellery.
You can put your measurements through my PC progam if you are serious about making garments.
My latest wig purchase is a Mae West iconic style ---now to make a dress to match

As a PS --because I handsew all my dresses loose weave fabrics can be very difficult

[Iona Black]

I can't believe you handsew everything. I don't have the patience for that and try to work all my patterns out so I can do everything on my machine. Reggie told me why you hand-sew, and you have my admiration for your skill with a needle and thread. I do handsew when I make christening gowns, but for adult-sized things, it just takes too long.

I tend to make my own patterns using toilles (once again laziness jumps in because I can't be bothered sitting with measurements and drawing "proper" patterns) and I find fabric patterns last longer than tissue ones. Perhaps I just abuse them more than most people... hehehe

[jackie66]

Talking of mae West wigs-- Reuven, the man who makes them for me is converting my white crinoline to fit Cinderella in the Pantomime I think it might end up as her ball gown scene

[Iona Black]

Which era of Mae West are you going for? If it's the silky/slinky and you want cheap but good material, I live near the rag market (although since there's a few traders who know me rather too well, you might think Ilive IN the ragmarket...) and I'm happy to go shopping for you (any excuse!!!)

I've just been looking at drndl skirts, and I'll have a look in my wee shop along the road. If I spot anything, I'll let you know ;)

[jackie66]

I usually will pay up to £25 a metre for my fabrics if the effect is what I seek. When I first started making dresses I used cheap fabrics-- guess what-- the dresses looked cheap too.
My patience is quite good since my dresses are interlined and lined. This means that there are basically 3 dresses in one. This does have the effect of keeping the garment in shape and is more resistant to creasing.
I do obtain some fabrics that are cheap in price but good on quality. I go to a shop in Dewsbury that sells cloth from mill and manufacturer clearances. I sometimes pick up real gems of fabric there. Most of my dresses are made from fabric obtained there.

[Iona Black]

I've been paying as little as £4 a metre for good taffeta and less than £2 for decent organza. I like good fabrics, but I begrudge paying over the odds for it. With the rag market and Sparkhill being so close, I don't have to pay too much at all.

Saying that, I have paid a lot for some things, particularly for christening gowns, but that was before I lived round this area and found I could get dupion silk occasionally for about £5 a metre.

You're dead right about cheap fabric looking cheap, but inexpensive fabric sometimes looks a million dollars...