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Member since 11/19/08
Posts: 58
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Posted on: 8/30/10 1:42 PM ET
I attempted this dress recently and was not successful. The fabric was much too heavy when worn. Picked up what I thought was jersey knit at Joanns. But with all the draping and gathering it was too heavy. I just read on another post about the poor quality fabric at Joanns so I hope it was them, not me.

As far as the pattern is concerned very straightforward and easy. altered the pattern to fit my MIL perfectly. No problem even with an invisible zip. Just too heavy.

Can anyone suggest a light jersey of good quality? It has to be the dark purple or in the tone. MIL's favorite color. Online retailers as only Joann's is the only fabric shop near me.

Now I have to find a way to recycle the fabric for some other use.
  
Member since 7/19/07
Posts: 3438
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Posted on: 8/30/10 3:06 PM ET
I recently ordered a bunch of swatches from Gorgeous Fabrics. I think this might work for your dress--her 11oz rayon is quite drapey and lightweight, but not super thin/cheap feeling:

GF 11oz jersey - pale amethyst

Ann is running a sale right now, too.
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--Michelle

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Blog: http://happilycaffeinated.blogspot.com/
  
Member since 7/20/08
Posts: 10762
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Posted on: 8/30/10 3:17 PM ET
In reply to IIbis
I just bought some nice 11 oz Rayon/Poly/Lycra knit from Apple Annie Fabrics recently.

I was really pleased with it because it was cut straight across - there wasn't any waste when the fabric was cut. There was obviously a lot of care into cutting and packaging the fabric.

The fabric was moderately priced too.
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Mary


  
Member since 1/2/10
Posts: 232
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Posted on: 8/30/10 3:41 PM ET
Wow, that pattern's a little goofy to just list jersey in the fabric requirements. Jersey is just the type of knitting, it doesn't really describe the weight at all. I've gotten two different types of jerseys from fabric.com - 100% organic cotton and a poly matte jersey and they're really, really different. The cotton is really thick and heavy and doesn't drape at all and the matte jersey is lighter and drapes really well. I think it's the pattern, not you!
  
Member since 7/19/07
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Posted on: 8/30/10 5:07 PM ET
Here's another one--I have some of this at home, and it's lightweight, but not too thin, and drapey:

lavender bamboo/rayon jersey from fabric.com
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--Michelle

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Blog: http://happilycaffeinated.blogspot.com/
  
Member since 11/19/08
Posts: 58
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Posted on: 8/30/10 9:20 PM ET
Thank you all! I was looking for suggestions on weight. I saw the jerseys listed by weight on some sites and had no clue really. I can't imagine what weight I bought. But I didn't look to see if it was listed on the bolt. Last time I'll make that mistake!
  
Member since 12/28/04
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Posted on: 8/31/10 2:52 AM ET
It doesn't actually list any fabrics other than to say a moderate stretch knit. Not very informative! Usually these envelopes have a stretch to at least here scale on the outside. Joanns has dreadful fabrics in my opinion and terrible quality knits. However, this dress is going to be heavy regardless as it has a lot of fabric. Moderate stretch knits in my mind are those that are stable in the length and not a 4 way stretch at all. Silk jersey would be my first choice on this dress, but expensive. I would think that fabrics with less or no lycra would work better for this dress. I'd say matte jersey as another choice as it has moderate stretch. Rayon is preferable to polyester.
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www.nancyksews.blogspot.com
  
Member since 6/22/04
Posts: 4602
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Posted on: 8/31/10 9:12 AM ET
ITY knits is very drapey and can be lightweight enough to work for this dress. Fabric Mart has a few now, search their site for "ITY jersey".
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Liz

thefittinglife.blogspot.com
  
Member since 10/9/05
Posts: 1411
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Posted on: 8/31/10 9:29 AM ET
That dress looks to me like it has rayon or silk jersey written all over it. :)

Fabric.com's bamboo rayon jersey is very nice and the perfect weight for a dress like this.

Personally, I'd use their organic cotton jersey for this dress too. I've gotten it in most of the earth tones, and while it is certainly heavier than the rayon, I don't think it'd be too heavy.
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Trinity

I probably have too many sewing machines, but how am I supposed to resist when they're either free by the side of the road or people give them to me?

http://thimblesthreadsandneedles.blogspot.com/
  
Member since 1/22/08
Posts: 728
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Posted on: 8/31/10 12:34 PM ET
I think this fabric would be divine! I have it in navy and I think it would be PERFECT for that pattern.
  
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