better watch out

[jaina]

Oh my gosh you guys, there I was, innocently browsing in a store in the garment district with aviendiora and llyrafantasyfae, and this roll of fabric just leapt up out of its bin and attacked me and demanded that I make it into an 18th century gown! And I said, "But I've never made an 18C before! I've never done *anything* historical before! What if you aren't historically accurate? What if I look terrible in yellow!? I'm not even supposed to buy any fabric today!" And it said, "WHO CARES I'M GORGEOUS BUY ME NOW WOMAN."

So I did. (I was helpless against it!) It's silk taffeta, I think, but very soft and drapey; the most beautiful buttery yellow with blue and white and tan stripes. I kept peeking in my bag to look at it the whole rest of the day!

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(L: no flash, R: with flash)

So now I have to decide what to do with it! I'm thinking maybe a matching blue for the petticoat? We looked in Fabrics & Fabrics but nothing matched quite right. Suggestions? ...I guess I should probably do some 18C research now, huh?

Comments

[brightcupenny.livejournal.com]

Oh, I was going to ask you! When you're working with taffeta, do you do anything to prep it before you start sewing, or do you just work with it as-is? I mean, with most everything I do, I prewash my fabrics, but I'm thinking that's probably not the right thing to do here?

[koshka-the-cat.livejournal.com]

You're right--prewashing it turns it into a nice, soft, drapey fabric with occasional permanent creases. It worked great for a modern skirt I had once, not so much for costuming!

Leave it as is, and don't be afraid to use a hot steam iron on it. I've never used the silk setting on mine. Hot works fine. Although, do test it first! I'd hate to give advice like that and have it not work for some reason :)