Monday, July 12, 2010

Stashoholism Confessional: G Street Fabrics

G Street Silk Jersey 7-10-10 G Street, 7-10-10

After not having access to a car for six months I finally broke and signed up for Zipcar, which offers hourly rental on cars parked throughout the city, because G Street Fabrics was having a "Scissor Sharpening Event" and I really wanted my scissors sharpened. I was not the only one. I think the sharpening team they brought in (a husband and wife) was a little overwhelmed. There was a forest of scissors piled at their feet when I stood in line to hand over mine and they'd been there less than an hour. They had already reached the point of telling people their scissors wouldn't be ready until Sunday or Monday. I was a little concerned because I had rented a car specifically for the purpose of getting my scissors sharpened. Rental is quite expensive and I didn't want to have to pay for a car again the next day. I explained my situation and they kindly said they'd make sure that my scissors would be done in time for me to return the car.

Fashion Sewing Club has gone on summer hiatus in the past, but this year it has gone year-round, so I got to attend and see people I hadn't seen in ages. The topic was beach wear. Mmmmmmm, beach.

I had told myself no fabric, but I am weak. The $2.97/yd table was piled high and among the piles were many colors of rayon knits. I normally stay away from rayon knit because it is generally too lightweight for my taste and pills within a few washes. However, drapey, ruffly, flouncey t-shirts are the style right now and rayon knits are great for those. So I got four colors.

There was a sale on, so silk novelties were at $5.22/yd (normally $6.97). I saw a woman holding up that silk jersey and I started sending her "Don't buy that" rays with my mind. Luckily, she walked away. It appears that this border print motif was printed as a repeating panel on the jersey, rather than with the border along the selvage, which makes sense because then you keep the stretch along the cross-grain. For sale, G Street had cut the panels apart, each about a yard in length. There were three panels on the table. I got all three.

I'd like to make this up soon, but am in a bit of a dilemma for a pattern. There are two issues. First, the motif (fabric width) is about 50 36 inches long (*edit* Duh! I am always mixing up length and width). That is a stumpifying mid-calf length on me and I can't use the entire length of the motif. Second, I think I would like to use as much unbroken print as possible, but that means a dress without a waist seam. I really need a waist seam. I was thinking maybe McCall 6069, on the left, which has a waist seam. But is that low back office inappropriate? There's also the possibility of just a simple tunic shape with a small cut-on sleeve, something like Butterick 5211, right, and a belt. Of course, I didn't think to pick up that pattern on Saturday at Joann while it was on sale! And now the more I look at it, the more I think it is the best choice. Dangit!

Patterns, 7-10-10

Here are the patterns I did pick up. The two New Looks were sort of impulse purchases. I like the basic shape of the dress with the collar variation, and the skirt is really cute and could be an alternative to a pencil skirt. I like the interesting but office-appropriate B5353 Muse dress with the neck binding (I've had good luck with that pattern line in the past); the princess seams will be flattering and the skirt is not overly fitted. I like the faux wrap look of B5485. And a nice tee variation like B5497 is always appreciated (maybe for one of my new rayon knits...).

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Pre-Wash Batiste When I mentioned that I had bought 10 yards of batiste and was in a dilemma as to how to pretreat it, several people recommended folding the length into thirds or quarters and then sewing all the thicknesses together at the selvage and the fold (TracyKM and Rose posted at almost the same time).

Genius suggestion! The photo at right is the result after washing. With the fabric folded in half selvage-to-selvage, I folded the length into quarters. I stitched on my longest stitch length in a dark thread so it would be easier to unpick (it is slow going to unpick through all those layers, though) and tossed in the washer and dryer. It came out of the dryer still slightly damp on the inside so I hung it up on the shower rod in the spare bathroom for a few days to finish drying.

The last time I washed a length of batiste it came out practically pleated, and it's a good thing I use it only for lining because no amount of pressing would completely eradicate all the wrinkle lines. The difference is huge! Thank you for the fabulous suggestion. I highly recommend this as a method for pre-washing long lengths of lightweight fabric.

19 comments:

senaSews said...

Great fabric picks. I love the print, but the solids are great as well. Also like the New Look skirt pattern you got ... Hope you will solve your pattern dilemma as soon as possible. I'm looking forward to see the dress!

Sandi said...

Now you have me excited as I'm going to G Street in a couple of days for the first time (and with a gift certificate in hand)!

lsaspacey said...

Hey, to save money, McCall's 5211 is basically the Burdastyle Anda dress. I also think with your skills you could probably draft your own pattern for that too.

McVal said...

Excellent idea on how to pre-wash the fabric and still keep it in some semblance of order!
I love that butterick pattern 5497! I think I could make that for one of my girls easily enough! cool!
And I wish we had a fashion Sewing club around here! That sounds inspirational! Is it an offshoot of ASG? (American Sewing Guild)

Little Hunting Creek said...

I love that silk jersey! I like the Butterick best for that too.

gwensews said...

Fabric and patterns--that's what dreams are made of! Make some beautiful things. What a terrific way to launder long lengths of faric!

Tasia said...

Thanks for the tip on laundering lightweight fabrics! I've struggled with pleat-like creases after pre-washing before and it's such a pain. Brilliant idea!

Victoria said...

I so wish I had a G-Street fabric store in my area. You got some great knits and patterns. Can't wait to see what you make:)

Anonymous said...

I love the batiste suggestion! thanks.

Anonymous said...

That silk jersey is to die for!!! I love it. I have heard great things about that drape neck dress from Allison C and I just saw it live today on Opal of Opal's Passions. Really great dress. You should definitely make it.

AllisonC said...

The silk jersey is gorgeous! I suspect the McCalls pattern is a bit low in the back for the office without alterations, but the dress in that jersey will be far too nice for office wear anyway, save it for dates and weekends!

Dana said...

Love those fabrics!

Brenda said...

I was wondering, do you use a dress form? If not, do you struggle with fitting yourself? I don't have one and would like one someday. Your thoughts?

Gail said...

I am gasping at that lovely silk jersey. Can't wait to see it made up.

AuntieAllyn said...

Oooooh, it's a good thing you snapped up all of that silk jersey or I'd be heading out to Rockville! (I wonder if they have it at the 7 Corners store?) As for the McCalls 6069 pattern, I've made it . . . and hated the back. I don't like those low drapey backs that are held in place with a tie at the shoulder line . . . it was awkward to wear, perhaps a little low for some offices. I wore the dress once and haven't worn it since. You could probably easily alter the back so that it ran straight across and didn't drape . . . if you want to mess with the pattern that much. I also found it to be rather slim fitting.

Andrea said...

Awesome haul you got there. I've made both McCall 6069 and Butterick 5211. I'd probably go with the Butterick if it's for work, but if you have date night after work, make the McCall and wear a sweater over it while at work and transition it into the evening. I love both dresses.

TracyKM said...

I'm so glad it worked! I wish I had thought of it sooner when I had 5 yds of 60" cotton crinkle gauze to prewash, LOL!

Taki J said...

I remember my mom taking me to G Street Fabrics to buy the material for my prom dress and I haven't been back since. Now I am telling my daughter about it. I have to get there soon.

Angela said...

So jealous! Your purchases look fabulous!