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Contrast Fabric Dresses

If you have read any of my recent posts for this blog, you will already know that I’ve been thinking a lot about ways to use smaller pieces of fabric you may have in your stash. I find it very frustrating when I have a great piece of fabric, perhaps in an amazing print or a luscious colour, but there’s not enough for a whole garment. But I know that, with a little applied creativity, these pieces can still be incorporated into a garment.

We have already discussed using small pieces to add internal contrasts like pocket bags and facings, and if you know any little’uns, making children’s clothes. But what if your piece is too pretty to be hidden on the inside or made into something that isn’t for you?!  There are heaps of patterns out there that call for contrasting fabrics, particularly if vintage/retro stylings are your bent. Check out the two dress styles below:

The Macaron dress is an awesome example of a pattern which calls for a smaller piece of contrast fabric. Just check out the gallery to see some of the inventive fabric combinations some seamstresses have used.

Of course, you can still apply contrasting fabrics to sewing patterns that don’t specifically specify the need for an alternate fabric. Any dress pattern that has a seam at the waist or under the bust can be made in two different fabrics which, incidentally, is actually a look that is very popular in high street stores right now. It creates the illusion of two separate garments but with the ease of wear and sleeker silhouette that you get when wearing a dress. I applied this idea to the Coffee Date dress pattern available at Burdastyle, pictured below:

Do you have a dress pattern with a waist seam that could be made in two fabrics instead of one? Vintage patterns, in particular, often call for so much fabric that splitting the total amount of fabric required into two smaller lengths might mean you are finally able to use some of those special stashed away treasures! These dresses below could look stunning made with two contrasting fabrics. Imagine the variety of looks you could create from the same dress design!

Zoe Edwards

Comments

sarah

March 11, 2010 #

It’s funny you should mention this! I have number of 40s and 50s patterns that show dresses made up this way, it’s a look I really like. I have sworn to tackle dresses this year and I think it’s the way to go!

Nicole

March 11, 2010 #

I love using contrast fabrics! I think it’s a great way to use prints that would look like a little too much on their own. I just finished a two-tone version of the Rooibos that I blogged about here: http://biketopus.blogspot.com/2010/03/rooibos-fitting.html

This is really just a muslin, but I think it looks pretty cute nonetheless. Your coffee date turned out wonderfully, too!

Zoe

March 12, 2010 #

Your Rooibos is LOVELY! The fabric combination makes it really unique.

Reilly

March 11, 2010 #

What about blouses? You could do the yoke and pockets if there are any in the contrasting fabric, and use cover buttons from the same fabric too. Or if there’s a band collar you can cut the collar and band facing out of a contrast fabric.

The Cupcake Goddess

March 11, 2010 #

Oh I love this idea! This is such a great post! Thank you Zoe! I think its a great excuse to use some of those crazy prints that I love so much. Breaking it up can really add fun but not crazy feel!

Tasia

March 11, 2010 #

Great ideas! I really like the coffee date dress done in two fabrics. From far away it looks like a blouse and skirt combo, without having to worry about keeping the blouse tucked in!
What about using printed contrast for a hem facing – that way, you get just a lil peek of your fabric as you walk? Just another way to make something feel more special and one-of-a-kind.

public emily

March 11, 2010 #

Lovely ideas!
Anyone have the pattern number of that last one?

Zoe

March 12, 2010 #

Thanks everyone for your lovely comments. Public Emily, in answer to your question, the last pattern is McCall’s 4486, good luck hunting it down! Zoe x

mon ami

March 12, 2010 #

Thank you for this post – it is very timely for me. I recently received some beautiful fabric from Liberty that is not quite enough for a blouse but I don’t want to hide it in the lining of a bag. So, my hunt for dress patterns with a seam at the waist or bust begins!

thank you

Hillary

March 12, 2010 #

Yes! I am always on the lookout for patterns that lend themselves to using small bits of interesting fabrics. Aside from random remnants, I’ve collected an assortment of vintage kimono fabrics, and am always looking for ways to use them to best advantage. Tricky because mostly they are just smaller reclaimed pieces, and they are only about a foot wide anyway. Also tricky because I find myself drawn to patterns just because I can see potential to work in small/narrow bits of fabric, when sometimes I never would have looked twice at the pattern otherwise. Which is a waste for a piece of fabric that if I’m going to cut into, I want to be really wearable, if not heirloom-worthy! Need to be honest with myself about liking the pattern on its own merits too.

The Rooibos I’m working on is using a favorite short lengths of kimono fabric- a new rather than vintage, but wonderful blue crosshatch pattern- for the contrast. I’m really excited to finally use it after hoarding it so long (Stashbustin’!). These little bits and pieces are really great for making fantastic fabric belts out of too- and contrast covered buttons. Also, there’s a Rooibos in the Colette Flickr page right now that did a really genius thing by using some scrap Liberty Tana lawn to make her own piping, as well as the contrast- I love that, and wish I had thought of it myself before using cheapy-looking storebought cotton/poly piping!

Nicole- I LOVE your Rooibos, I never thought to do the bodice itself in a different fabric. Fantastic idea!

Carina

March 17, 2010 #

Yes! I’ve got a project on the go that’s in two fabrics – namely because I wandered into one of soho’s gorgeous silk stores and fell in love with a gorgeous charcoal/silver silk fabric, but at £70 per metre I could only afford half a metre… so I’m making the below in the knee-length style with the beautiful silk for the bust, and a lovely charcoal duchess satin for the waistband and skirt…

http://www.habithat.co.uk/popup_image.php/pID/9817

Sandy

April 15, 2013 #

Or sleeves-and-collar, if you like the (what Americans call) “jumper” look. (What’s that in British English?) I’d like to do that McCall’s dress with a contrast collar.

Emma Gale

July 11, 2013 #

Does anyone know where the tunic pattern (in the images above) is from – I love that????