Does anyone know anything about dress making? Would this fabric work and some other questions!

[LostMarbles99]

I fancy an umbrella skirt for autumn

Could I use this fabric to make a skirt? Actually it'll be the dressmaker doing it but before I go to her!

What sort of lining would I need?

Where would I get a pattern for a flared, full knee length skirt?

Thanks

Yes you could - you would need quite a lot of fabric though - the link is for a fq - four of these to a metre pretty much, I reckon you would need 2m at least, more for a full skirt.

For a pattern try ebaying mccalls or simplicity until you see one you like.

Good luck - pop a pic on when its finished!

Do you want a skirt that is gathered, pleated or panelled to create the fullness? A 50s style skirt made up from panels & godets or gathered can take as much as 5 metres in order to create the fullness. Also metre-age is dependent on the lay plan (how the pieces are set out on the fabric before cutting). An a-line skirt can be anything from 1.5 to 2m.

With regards to lining fabrics: cotton, acetate, habotai silk would all be good options. Habotai silk is much cheaper to buy online.

If your dressmaker has been trained in pattern cutting she will adapt a standard skirt "block" in your size to create the style you want. Otherwise you will need a commercial pattern - Worth checking out charity shops & eBay as they can be expensive.

Also the fabric you linked to is cut more for quilting & crafts. I've managed to find it here sold by the metre & 150cm wide which is more appropriate for dressmaking.

Oh thank you so much!

Also, do you need to buy lining if I decided to make a dress?

Is the whole thing lined or just the skirt part?

No advice but just wanted to wish you luck, I was thinking of doing the same as I wanted a balloon print dress but couldn't find one I liked, apart from one from Mod Cloth but I couldn't afford it!

Would love to see a pic of it when it's made.

Argh sorry I have re-read your op and saw you're going to ask a dressmaker. Would still like to see a pic when it's finished .

I've used this pattern before, it's really simple. But it needs 2m as Ujjayi says.

If you're doing a dress, it's more likely that the top would be lined than the skirt, but more likely that they would both be lined.

For quilting fabric acetate or habotai lining would be best - cotton might stick to the patterned fabric.

If you can get the 100% quilting weight cotton by the metre it doesn't need lining and makes fab skirts.

Cuts out and sees like a dream if you feel like learning. John Lewis have patterns if you want to browse.

The polycotton will probably be lighter, good for a summer dress, but may well need lining at this time of year.

Sews like

Personally I would line the entire dress. It's straightforward to do - you make the dress up in the lining fabric the same as the outer fabric. You then sew the neckline of lining & dress fabric together with right sides facing. Then turn the lining & dress the right way around, feeding the lining inside the dress. Press the neck seam flat et voila!