Alternative fabric to georgette?

[KatyMac]

DD's dance dresses are made of georgette; they 'pull' terribly plus look very hard to sew

What alternative fabric could I use

Lycra is a bit heavy, does it come in lighter weights or is there something a bit more 'gauze' like?

[MumblingRagDoll]

Bemburg might work...it's actually for lining but is similar to Georgette...get a swatch maybe?

[rockinhippy]

if you are thinking of Lycra, then I wonder if you could get away with using a knitted mesh fabric, it comes in different weights & textures, one even pretty much mimics georgette, but is easier to fit, work with & more durable - trying to remember the name of it though & I've gone blank

[KatyMac]

She wants a more than full circle skirt (which I guess I do with godets - btw how do I pronounce that?)

I have to look for a patten as well

It just annoys me how she wears it once and there is a great pull across the skirt & I have to manipulate it backwards & forwards to make it stop puckering

[rockinhippy]

pronounced go-day :)

Do you mean the full ballet type very ruffled skits?? - if so you won't need godets, they are pretty easy & I've seen online tutorials

If it is that, I'm now wondering if you would be better off layering up nets & tulle, they definitely wont pull

[KatyMac]

No - Ballroom

Very flowing

[KatyMac]

more like this or this (but I don't like that patten)

[rockinhippy]

Aah - okay - that is with godets -

though you can do same sort of shape without godets with some patterns - patern panels will flute right out at the hem

but godets take less cloth so it will work out less expensive for you & its possible to do it without a specific pattern

If you have a panel skirt pattern that fits well, simply measure down from the waist as to where you want the fullness to start - & then to the length you want it to finish & work out the width of the hem you want & divide it up between the number of godets - allowing for the hem width of the original skirt

then make a paper triangle that is the length & the width of one panel - tapering to nothing at the top of the triangle/godet- adding a 1cm seam allowance each side so you end up with a triangle that has a 2 cm wide flat top IYSWIM

this is your godet pattern - use with the original skirt pattern, but mark a notch on the original pattern, showing where the godet will start when sewing

hope that helps/makes sense :)

[rockinhippy]

The other way for full ballroom styles would be to sew 3 or 4 circle skirt panels together - this can be done without a pattern - or at least you can easily make a pattern for this yourself - though it won't look like the pictures, it is something used for ballroom

[KatyMac]

I'm afraid I will need a pattern, I'm not very good at sewing

Would a light lycra/knitted fabric work for that tho'

[rockinhippy]

yes if its a light one, thats why I suggested the meshes above - stay clear of the fine slippery shining microfibres though - they are a pig to sew with

[KatyMac]

I am a bit lost

If I google 'knitted mesh fabric' will I find it easily?

Which company am I best looking for patterns; I thought Vogue but couldn't sop anything

[rockinhippy]

to be honest I'm not the best person to ask about patterns, I make my own so I never buy modern ones, just old vintage ones which I collect, so I've no idea whats good or bad - but hopefully someone else can help with that


you should find the mesh easily, places like fabricland, or even e-bay should have it - you do get different types & weight though - don't get power mesh - thats a stronger one you'd buy for corsetry & that sort ofm thing, but the others should be fine - though will need lining as sheer as is georgette :)

[rockinhippy]

Jersey Mesh is this sort of thing

[KatyMac]

That looks nice, I don't think I'm brave enough to buy online; I think I'd need to feel the fabric

[rockinhippy]

I know what you mean, I'll only buy cloth online that I know & from companies I either know or are recommended.

you should be able to find something easy enough in the shops though, its not difficult to get hold of, if you have a Fabricland near you, they often have it