Gorgeous, right? It's from Gorgeous Things, 60" wide, 3 1/2 yards so I can do a lot with this. It's a double border print with the border on both selvages. The stretch is crosswise, so there is not a whole lot of stretch along the length, parallel with the border, so the final result can't be *too* form fitting.
So of course, this got me thinking about border prints! In addition to this fabric from Marji, I also have a wool challis border print from The Carol Collection. Because the hem has to be straight, there are basically three choices for border print dresses: a straight tunic, a gathered/dirndl skirt, or a pleated skirt.
I like the Hale Bob twist on the tunic on the left, because it has a little more fullness in front and just a little more shape overall. I also like the tunic on the right with the contrast upper bodice yoke. I particularly like the way the upper yoke obviates the need to do a complicated facing for the front opening! But I think that would only work in a woven with a fair amount of body.
The wide kimono sleeves on the left are awesome, and using the border for the sleeves rather than the hem would allow me to cut with the crosswise stretch going around the body. However, I think this pattern would be better suited for the wool challis than the knit, because the colors of the knit make me want it for Spring/Summer. The dress on the right also uses the border print vertically, though you do end up with a seam at center front and center back.
I like the way the dress at left uses the border print at the hem and the sleeves, particularly since the border is so bright compared with the rest of the print. The one on the right uses the border print every which way plus a contrast bodice, which definitely makes the most of the print. I liked using the border as the midriff in my Simplicity 3503 knit maxi dress.
I think this style is the winner, however, for the knit print, although with a higher neckline! Burda has had several patterns in this style, 03-2009-113, 04-2009-122, 07-2009-119, and 10-2009-117 would all give me a place to start.
All my border print inspiration images are here.
What are your ideas for border prints?
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14 comments:
Ooh, lucky you to get that border print! I had some... turned it into a maxi dress this summer (also with Simplicity 3505, I was inspired by *your* border print maxi dress.)
After seeing the gorgeous maxi dress you made last summer, I can't wait to see what you come up with for this fabric.
Oh so pretty! I too can't wait to see what you make out of it.
Either of the last ones, the one that corresponds to S3503 or the BWOF's.
Oh I am so envious of you because that fabric is totally delicious - what a wonderful win! I love your round-up of border inspiration images - great picks!
That print is perfect for you-- as soon as I saw it on Marji's blog, i thought of you. It'll be gorgeous, whatever you make!
I love border prints! My last one I did the sleeves only but it was just a blouse, If I can find my camera I'll try and post a picture. My daughter has a silk kimono sleeved dress that is a border print - I think it was from Banana Republic, and for the skirt they did the border in the center vertically with a seam - it's my favorite dress of hers cause it looks so unusual
Wonderfully beautiful border print. I know you will do something gorgeous with it.
Congrats, this fabric is so you! Really looking forward to see what you will make out of it!
That is such pretty fabric. I vote for a dress with kimono sleeves!
I just read your Vogue dress review below. I think you look awesome in the dress and pictures! Did you just get your hair blown out that day or something?! I also think that the dress makes you look especially thin. I dunno, I think it's a great shape. I can't believe that you felt self-conscious/uncomfortable in it! You definitely should not have.
I have a border print but it runs the other way (maybe it would be considered a large repeat rather than a border?) I am considering using the Melissa dress from Burdastyle
http://www.burdastyle.com/patterns/melissa
I think this has lots of possibilities.
I noticed new Butterick 5454 features a layouyt for border prints, if that gives you ideas
Thanks for sharing all those border print ideas. Your print is beautiful! Have fun sewing it!
I find it very frustrating that the stretch doesn't go the same way as the border print. I have one that I'd love to use but it would have to be from a woven pattern as there is no stretch the way I'd want to wear it. How awkward is it to use a knit with the stretch going the wrong way? You have given me some ideas to think about. Thanks.
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