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Moderated by Deepika, Sharon1952
Posted on: 4/28/06 0:01 AM ET
Dear Fabricolics,
I have what I think would be labelled on fabric.com as an "embroidered sheer". It is silk. Obviously for a dress this has to be lined because otherwise it will be embarrassingly transparent. I have a lined dress pattern so I am hoping that will work. The pattern says "china silk" for the lining but I am not sure what that is. How heavyweight is china silk and what does it look/feel like? Is it real silk or actually a synthetic?
So - what sort of thing do I line it with? Since the outer is silk should I also try and find silk for the lining, or should I just buy some of whatever it is that is sold as standard lining fabric in my local shop? Should the lining fabric be lighter or heavier weight than the outer? Any other hints for the preferred qualities of a lining fabric?
Perhaps I need to ask one of those online stores to send me a huge sample pack so I could get educated... don't suppose anyone makes one do they - "the swatches for fabric numpties bumper pack"?
jules
I have what I think would be labelled on fabric.com as an "embroidered sheer". It is silk. Obviously for a dress this has to be lined because otherwise it will be embarrassingly transparent. I have a lined dress pattern so I am hoping that will work. The pattern says "china silk" for the lining but I am not sure what that is. How heavyweight is china silk and what does it look/feel like? Is it real silk or actually a synthetic?
So - what sort of thing do I line it with? Since the outer is silk should I also try and find silk for the lining, or should I just buy some of whatever it is that is sold as standard lining fabric in my local shop? Should the lining fabric be lighter or heavier weight than the outer? Any other hints for the preferred qualities of a lining fabric?
Perhaps I need to ask one of those online stores to send me a huge sample pack so I could get educated... don't suppose anyone makes one do they - "the swatches for fabric numpties bumper pack"?
jules
Posted on: 4/28/06 0:18 AM ET
In reply to julesberry
Yes, china silk is silk. It's fairly lightweight, drapey and has a plain weave. Sometimes you see it used as a skirt/jacket/dress lining in mid-priced ready to wear. I have a Kay Unger suit lined in china silk. I prefer it to synthetics of a similar weight and drape. To me, it just feels lighter and smoother against the skin and "breathes" better then synthetics. Generally, you do not want a lining to be heavier in weight then the garment it's lining. Dress linings are used for modesty or to hide the interior construction of a garment, not to change the fashion fabric's characteristics. If using china silk, use a fine needle and don't make the lining fit too tightly to the body. Seams have a tendency to pull apart with this fabric if it's stressed. Hope this helps
Posted on: 4/28/06 6:14 AM ET
The china silks that I have and have seen for sale are a very good lightweight imitation of real silk, they have a good sheen and drape well. They are made from polyester. Some stores will sell pure silk as china silk. So I would check with the store as to what you are buying, and if the price seems very low for real silk, it probably isn't.
Posted on: 4/28/06 8:32 AM ET
I think the pattern means silk of a lining weight, which is called silk habotai where I live. I believe it is also called china silk. You could also use other lining fabric - it depends what you want (in terms of luxury and breathability and budget).
Is your pattern designed for a sheer over a lining? If it's designed for an opaque fabric over a lining you may find that seams that were meant to be concealed between the outer fabric and the lining will be visible through the sheer. In these circumstances I would probably do a third layer cut the same as the outer layer out of an opaque fabric (probably slightly heavier weight than the sheer). Either I would sew the sheer pieces individually to their pair piece of this other layer or I would make up the sheer dress separately then attach it to the opaque dress along the neck/arm/sleeve edges, then add the lining to the whole thing. -but that all depends what the style of your dress is - if it's a simple summer dress that would be overkill :-)
-- Edited on 4/28/06 8:34 AM --
Is your pattern designed for a sheer over a lining? If it's designed for an opaque fabric over a lining you may find that seams that were meant to be concealed between the outer fabric and the lining will be visible through the sheer. In these circumstances I would probably do a third layer cut the same as the outer layer out of an opaque fabric (probably slightly heavier weight than the sheer). Either I would sew the sheer pieces individually to their pair piece of this other layer or I would make up the sheer dress separately then attach it to the opaque dress along the neck/arm/sleeve edges, then add the lining to the whole thing. -but that all depends what the style of your dress is - if it's a simple summer dress that would be overkill :-)
-- Edited on 4/28/06 8:34 AM --
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