I've been thinking a lot about summer dressmaking recently. There's something very satisfying about wearing beautiful, lightweight fabrics when the weather's warm (you may have to suspend your disbelief for that bit if you live in the UK!) With that in mind, I've teamed up with one of my sponsors - Dragonfly Fabrics - to talk you through their summer fabrics and offer suggestions on which patterns to pair them with. There's also a giveaway and discount code on offer - wahay! - so read on….
Dragonfly offer a very carefully curated selection, with an interesting range of colours and patterns. It's obvious that a great deal of thought goes into selecting the fabrics, but what really appeals to me is the fact that there are so many different types of dressmaking fabric available. How on earth do they decide which ones to stock?! My nosiness got the better of me, so I decided to ask Dorte (the fabric buying half of the Dragonfly Fabrics team) a few questions on the subject.
I love the fact that your fabric collection is so carefully chosen for dressmakers. How did you develop such a discerning eye?
I started dressmaking when I was 10 years old. Over the years I have developed a love and feel for quality fabrics. This was enhanced by my time studying in Hamburg, where my studies included Fashion Design and Textile Technology, and by working with several Couture designers. With these designers I worked with quality fabrics where garments were finished to a very high standard.
What's your criteria for deciding which specific fabrics to stock? Do you follow fashion trends or is it just personal taste?
I am interested in colour, textiles and natural fibres, so yes I do start with personal taste. I then widen the range of colours and types of fabric we stock, I have developed a feel for what people like as I also teach sewing classes. The fabric producers we use, especially in Germany, are in touch with fashion trends, so these trends influence my choices, but I don't choose anything too extreme as I keep what my customers like in mind.
Do you have any personal fabric and pattern recommendations for summer dressmaking?
I think the Brussels Washer range, the Summer Cottons and the Rayon range are all particularly suitable for summer dressmaking.
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Brussels Washer in Mist |
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Amy Butler rayon: Honeysuckle Bloom in Sky |
In terms of patterns, any of the rayon fabrics would work well with the Sew Liberated Brynna Dress pattern. My favourite fabric and pattern choice would have to be the Christine Haynes Emery Dress using one of the fabrics from Leah Duncan's lovely collection.
Great recommendations, thanks Dorte!
I'm also a fan of the Brussels Washer range - I used some myself last year for my Anna dress and the combination of linen and rayon is awesome. A couple of other fabric and pattern pairings that spring to mind are this lightweight cotton for the Sewaholic Belcarra blouse
To kick off summer dressmaking, Dragonfly Fabrics are offering one lucky winner a £30 voucher to use in their online shop. To enter, just take a look at their website and leave a comment on this post letting me know what you'd spend the voucher on if you won (I told you I was nosy!) The giveaway is open internationally and closes at midnight GMT on Monday 9th June. Please make sure you leave your email address if it's not linked to your Blogger profile so I can contact you if you're the winner.
And there's more…. readers of my blog can also claim a 15% discount on all purchases from Dragonfly Fabrics. Just enter the code handmadejane when checking out of the site. The 15% discount is valid until the end of June.
I hope this sparks off some ideas for summer dressmaking. Thank you to Dorte and Simon from Dragonfly Fabrics for offering this awesome giveaway, and good luck everybody! x
Hi, First I love your blog so keep up the good work cos its very inspiring. My aim is to eventually make every item I wear but so far keeping to the New Years resolution I made of making one piece of clothing a month is becoming a task in its own right. Next I would love to use some of the Campan Jersey red/ pink (£19.50 /m) fabric to make a Burda dress using Stretch Dress pattern 04/2013 #127 which is originally made in a lace overlay but I think would be lovely in a striped cotton. I have been trying out stretch fabrics recently but have yet to make this pattern.
ReplyDeleteI adore the Mind's Eye Tambourine cotton voile. Just beautiful!
ReplyDeleteIve never used Dragonfly Fabrics but it offer such beautiful fabrics - thank you for introducing me (although my husband probably wouldn't thank you!). I'd love to use the Leah Duncan like you but I'd go for the - Meadow - Freshly Cut Hyacinths cotton and I think I've make the Afternoon Blouse by Jennifer Lauren which I've just purchased today - it would look lovely with the navy linen Kelly Skirt I've just made by Megan Nielsen.
ReplyDeleteHiya - I think I'd go for the Westfalenstoffe Star Catcher Blue to make a cute top, or even nightdress for my little girl.
ReplyDeleteSuch nice fabrics it is hard to chose but I would some of the Campan Jersey white/ navy for a Coco and a couple of metres of Herringbone Chambray for a Pauline Alice Malvarosa dress. That would keep me busy for a while!
ReplyDeleteI'm loving the white eyelet fabric (http://www.dragonflyfabrics.co.uk/summer-cottons/product-2109.php) it would make a lovely summer shirt that would match anything! I also love the Brussels Washer fabrics, the colors are all lovely. I have never made anything with rayon before, but the honeysuckle bloom in both colors are great.
ReplyDeleteOoh maybe some nice cotton chambray to make a summer skirt! That would be dreamy
ReplyDeleteI chose some of the Westfalenstoffe wide cotton - probably Jaipur or maybe the Red Pink Flowers and Birds.
ReplyDeleteI'd buy something like the white broderie cotton and make it into a skirt lined with pale pink cotton. Very summery!
ReplyDeleteI've often wondered how fabric shops choose their stock, so thank you for the very interesting interview!
ReplyDeleteAnd thank you for the giveaway too! If I was lucky enough to win I think I would go for the Babycorduroy red with dots because I have been daydreaming of a mini-cord moss mini for ages now but have been trying not to buy any more fabric because my stash is getting out of hand (but if I WON it, that would be totally different!) :)
Ooh I love the Japanese Blossom Poplin!!
ReplyDeleteI would choose the rayon 'sinister swarm lurk' i think this would make an awesome floaty beach dress (http://www.dragonflyfabrics.co.uk/viscose-bamboo/rayon/product-1131.php)
ReplyDeleteIf I were lucky enough to win I would choose some Campan jersey. I used the navy/natural stripe to make a Coco and it is a dream - real quality fabric and would love another in a different colour. Thanks for the chance anyway.x
ReplyDeletei would choose the summer cottons "miley check" it would make to most beautiful summer dress or summer tops!!!! it reminds me of picnics and little house on the parie!
ReplyDeleteFrankie
http://www.knitwits-owls.blogspot.co.uk/
I really like the Mind's Eye Samba cotton voile, and the Sorbet chambray. Summer skirts, here I come!
ReplyDeleteA really interesting post Jane - thank you! If I were lucky enough I would choose the Leah Duncan 'Quietude' fabric as I have had my eye on it for ages, and have just purchased by first pattern to make myself the Belcarra blouse! My only worry is I will be too scared to cut the beautiful fabric!
ReplyDeleteI would love to float around in the sinister swarm rayon by anna maria horner! thank you so much for the giveaway!
ReplyDeleteI think the Brussels Washer in either mist or willow would make a lovely floaty feminie blouse for the summer.
ReplyDeleteOOOO have a wedding to go to, with a vintage theme- after much drawling I think I'd go for a Westfalenstoffe Organic Cotton - Squirrel is adorable but subtle or the gorgeous Red,Pink Flowers and Birds - thank for the incite to such a beautiful site:)
ReplyDeleteOh I really love the Mind's Eye Tambourine. I think it would make some fun Tessuti Suzy pants. Thank you for the giveaway! I don't know if I'm linked :)heathermltn@mac.com
ReplyDeletewow gorgeous! I would totes get me some chambray for a miette.
ReplyDeleteIt's a hard choice. I usually choose prints but I'd go for the Brussels washer in ocean and get the parfait pattern to make a summer frock. Would then add contrasting buttons and stitching probably in mustard or red. Love the blog.
ReplyDeleteI'd get 2mtrs of the Sinister Storm rayon in the Lurk colour way. I love it! I'd turn it into a lovely summer dress. Fingers crossed
ReplyDeleteIt would have to be the Brussels Washer. You had me in your post when I saw it in Mist but then I see I could also have it in Ocean or Willow or Pear or or or.........!
ReplyDeleteThank you for this brilliant post! I'd chose the beautiful Japanese blossom poplin xxxxx
ReplyDeleteOh my goodness, what beautiful fabric. I would chose some Bio Linen, to make my first woven top:)
ReplyDeleteI would buy some Wesrfalenstoffe fabric. I think that the 'Forest Leaves' and 'Forest Deer' would make an amazing version of my new Sew Me Something 'Violet' pattern. Thanks
ReplyDeleteOh this is a tricky one. I love Leah Duncan prints but I think I would have to go for some blue chambray to make a summer skirt. I really need.jpeg solid colour separates to balance out all the patterns!
ReplyDeleteooh what a great giveaway! I would go for some aubergine coloured corduroy to make a moss skirt from grainline studio, which I've been meaning to get for aaaages. thank you! beththegulfmini@googlemail.com :)
ReplyDeleteOh the Raindrop poppies is adorable, polka dots and poppies all in one fabric, don't get much better than that!
ReplyDeleteSuch a lovely giveaway. I think I would treat myself to a pattern (probably the Jasmine Blouse by Collette - I love blouses and need some more pretty ones) and a light, summery cotton print to make it out of. I love the colours of both the Ellie check and Ellie stripe cottons and think that they would look lovely as a blouse.
ReplyDeleteIt's a hard choice with so many lovely fabrics, but I'd have to go for some blue chambray to make a shirt dress. Thank you for hosting!
ReplyDeleteSinister Swarm rayon has got to be my choice! I've just made Named Clothing's Leini Dress in viscose and it's lovely so I can see it as that. Or perhaps a Sewaholic Gabriola skirt.
ReplyDeleteIt's a tough choice but I think I'd go with the Sinister Swarm rayon or the Blue with yellow paint print lawn, I think either of those would make a lovely summer dress! Thanks for the giveaway!
ReplyDeleteI've been on a bit of a knit fabric roll recently, so I would probably get some of the striped campan jersey, as it comes in such beautiful colours. Or something from the Leah Duncan range.
ReplyDeleteI think some Heather Ross jersey would be amazing
ReplyDeleteI would love to try the rayon but not sure my sewing skills are up to it yet. So I think I would choose the Karavan Peacock to make some Tilly Margot pj's.
ReplyDeleteAnna Maria Horner's Field Study- Raindrops Poppies Candy. Luscious!
ReplyDeleteI would chose some Interweave Chambray in denim to make myself a summer skirt, or some Campan Jersey, I love the pale blue stripes.
ReplyDeleteIve just bought the Belcarra blouse pattern. Bit late for the sewalong but never mind. I'd definitely choose the Algeciras pink poplin for this. It pops! If I'm lucky enough to win my email is andreabelshaw59@gmail.com. Fingers crossed. X
ReplyDeleteI love the Amy Butler rayon, especially Twilight Peony. Perfect for a special summer dress. My email is lraisontrehy@gmail.com. Cheers :-)
ReplyDeleteI would love to have the sylt anchor and ship to make a shirtdress out of <3
ReplyDeletekurosakurambou@gmail.com
Oh all the options! They have so many fabrics I love. But I think I would choose either Strawberry Orange Cotton Jersey and make a Moneta dress or Wildflowers-cotton light. Or something else. It's like letting a kid loose in a candy store! Instant brain meltdown, haha :)
ReplyDeleteField Study- Sinister Swarm Blueberry, love it! Jumpsuits have been planned, so...
ReplyDeleteSo many to choose from - maybe some Brussels Washer in Mist or Willow??
ReplyDeleteLinz bear family- westfalenstoffe is fun ! I want it for me not for my daughters this time:) kezbanboyla@gmail.com
ReplyDeleteMmm, the bio linen in printed teal would be lovely for a pair of cool, wide-legged trousers (and my favourites need replacing!). Lovely giveaway, thanks for the opportunity to enter :)
ReplyDeleteI'd love some jersey to make a maxi skirt (thinking of copying the gap foldover maxi skirt which would be great for my pregnant belly), I also need to use my over locker I received for Christmas, I havent used it enough yet
ReplyDeleteVix.sta at gmail.com
I love Meadow - Summer Grove By Day cotton, which is so pretty. Thanks for the opportunity and I'll bear Dragonfly in mind in future.
ReplyDeleteThis time of year, linen always calls to me. I'm always avoid it because I feel like I'd probably end up looking terribly wrinkly all day. But everyone else always looks so chic in linen in the summer. So I think it's my time for a lovely linen summery skirt. I'd go with the spotty print natural linen.
ReplyDeleteI've been eyeing up the Breton stripe knit fabric recently to make a Coco but if I don't win the 15% discount will help towards it!
ReplyDeleteI think the Lime flower poplin would make a lovely summery Lilou dress or some Ellie check cotton for a lovely pair of pyjama bottoms. Either would be fabulous!
ReplyDeleteOoh, I'm not going to be original, because I've been dreaming of a fabric exactly like the Mist Brussels Washer! It's lovely! I'd make an Archer, tried and true. I think it would be my 8th time making up that pattern.
ReplyDeleteI would have to get Summer Glam jersey!
ReplyDeletelenelson(at)mail(dot)com
Ooh! Such lovely fabrics! I'd probably pick something like the Anna Maria Horner rayon in with the purple Sinister Swarm Lurk. tiffandrea(at)yahoo(dot)com
ReplyDeleteI'm hunting for something at the moment for my Republique de Chiffon Bernadette jacket pattern which winging its way to me and I think the Indigo Dot Chambray Cotton would be just the ticket! Thanks for hosting such a lovely giveaway!
ReplyDeleteI very much enjoy your blog. Everytime I see one of your makes, I check on line to see if I can find the pattern.
ReplyDeleteThere are many beautiful fabrics on that site. I think I would choose either the washer linen (http://www.dragonflyfabrics.co.uk/linen/brussels-washer/product-1715.php) in ocean for a skirt or Heather Ross' Cricket clover (http://www.dragonflyfabrics.co.uk/fabrics-by-designer/heather-ross/product-1924.php) for a top. Many thanks to you and Dragonfly Fabrics for such a generous giveaway.
So many wonderful choices! The Japanese poplin you mentioned is gorgeous. But so is an Anna Marie Horner floral print jersey & there's a sweet eyelet too. But if I won that's the type of dilemma I'd love to have!
ReplyDeletesome nice looking indigo stretch denim there, and I love the Amy Butler rayon 'sinister swarm'
ReplyDeleteI'm dying to make a Coco. They have some cute striped jersey and I think I'd go for the Campan red/pink.
ReplyDeleteOh man, I would get a couple of meters of this cotton lawn, and make it into a nice flowing skirt :)
ReplyDeleteI love any of the Leah Duncan Tule fabric collection. Pretty for dress making and for quilts.
ReplyDeleteI love the Anna Maria Horner rayon.
ReplyDeleteI would use the voucher to buy some flowers on orange fine cord as I have a pattern for some wide leg trousers and think that material would look awesome
ReplyDeleteI would have to choose the Forest Deer by Westfalenstoffe - I saw it on the front page as soon as I opened it and it looks so cute!
ReplyDeleteSome very nice options on Dragonfly Fabrics! I'd choose Amy Butlers swarm and make a summer skirt
ReplyDeleteThere are some lovely fabrics on there. However I think actually I'd be drawn to the sewing patterns sections as there are quite a few I really want to try and have been putting off due to lack of funds! The collette moneta is one. the chantilly another. The sewaholic cambie. The By Hand London Anna. The Sew Liberated Ashland. See I'm already way over budget!! (shewearsredfeathers@gmail.com)
ReplyDeleteI've just bought the Emery Dress pattern, so going from Dortes recommendations, I would spend my voucher if I won on Leah Duncan - Meadow Vale Dark Cotton. What a fab giveaway, thanks for hosting x
ReplyDeleteCoupe longue red - and then make a pair of trousers or shorts and a matching bag :)
ReplyDeleteThanks for hosting the give away! If I won I would be a bit boring and get a solid coloured knit...maybe the coral bamboo one http://www.dragonflyfabrics.co.uk/viscose-bamboo/bamboo-jersey/product-1193.php. I'm planning a trip to Thailand (on a shoestring!) and I've decided I need three or four jersey dresses in natural fibres to feel covered, comfortable and cool. At the moment I'm planning on using the Briar t-shirt pattern as a base...I'll probably smooth out the high-low hemline on the cropped version so that it's a bit more subtle, and then attach a simple gathered skirt.
ReplyDeleteThank you for hosting this giveaway! So many beautiful fabrics. If I won, I would get some jersey as I really need some. I would pick Strawberry Lilac and Calico pink for my twin girls!
ReplyDeleteThanks Jane & Dragonfly for such a generous giveaway. As our cooler months are approaching here in Australia, I think I'd choose some of the beautiful Finecord - the floral stretch, I think! But then the Westfalenstoffe range is especially lovely too.....so many goodies! Thank you again. (kathyjlynch@gmail.com)
ReplyDeleteOh they have such beautiful fabrics. Thanks for such a fabulous giveaway. I'd love some of the Brussels Washer in Midnight to make a summer tunic to wear with slim legged trousers and sandals.
ReplyDeleteI love the bio linens, so many beautiful colours to choose from and perfect for a cool summer dress.
ReplyDeleteRaindrops poppies lustre would make a pretty dress for me! Thanks for introducing me to a great shop.
ReplyDeleteI really love the Sinister Swarm Lurk fabric- the colours are just absolutely up my street, and as far as I'm concerned you just can't have enough butterfly print dresses! http://www.dragonflyfabrics.co.uk/viscose-bamboo/rayon/product-1131.php
ReplyDeleteI would choose the cotton jersey knit in calico blue. I'm going camping in the summer and this would make the perfect dress for two weeks without an iron!
ReplyDeleteOoh I've been eyeing up the Tule Quietude but now having seen the Japanese blossom poplin...
ReplyDelete"Briar Rose - Strawberry Lilac" is adorable!
ReplyDeleteI'm torn between the Brussels Washer chambray which would be perfect for some trousers and some lovely floaty voile Petite Provence which would make such a pretty summer top. jennylarking at gmail dot com
ReplyDeleteI'd love some of the stripey jersey! Thanks you for the giveaway!
ReplyDeleteNot for summer, but I have been lusting after this Loulouthi velveteen for years! http://www.dragonflyfabrics.co.uk/fabrics-by-designer/anna-maria-horner/product-1057.php
ReplyDeleteI would get some White Flowers Broderie Anglaise Cotton Lawn. Gorgeous! Would make a perfect pinafore/sundress for my baby grand-daughter!
ReplyDeleteI would try some of the Bio Linen - I'm a sucker for linen in general, and this looks so soft and comes in such pretty colors.
ReplyDeleteI think mayby some
ReplyDeleteEssex Linen- Rose
and
Wildflowers- light cotton
nicolina dot docksjo a gmail dot com http://docksjo.com
Ooh, really difficult to choose, but I think it would have to be something nice and summery like the Algeciras pink poplin. The fabrics by Anna Maria Horner are also divine! Thanks for hosting the giveaway!
ReplyDeleteI would go for sinister swarm tangerine or lurk(!) possibly to make a BHL Anna dress as I STILL haven't made one! Thanks so much.
ReplyDeleteI think the Brussels Washer in the Mist color scheme to make up a blouse using a vintage pattern I have ready to go!
ReplyDeleteI would like to make the gabriola skirt in Brussels washer mist. Lovely fabrics and great giveaway!
ReplyDeleteoh my! what wouldn't I spend my money on!! I have just started making clothes and I am like a little kid in a sweet shop when it comes to fabric. I really like the pineapple jersey to make a fun summer t or the printed cotton is beautiful in the lilac. I love your blog and feel inspired to make all my clothes so they actually fit. thank you, never stop blogging lisa :)
ReplyDeleteamy butler would be nice, her prints make beautiful clothes
ReplyDeleteThe japanese blossom is beautiful, but I also love the mustard chambray.
ReplyDeleteI really like the Amy Butler Raindrops Poppies Lustre fabric - lovely colour for a summer top.
ReplyDeleteI'd get the Sinister Swarm Lurk rayon, for a summer top
ReplyDeleteit is veeeery hard to choose... but I think the sinister swarm fabric would be excellent for a maxi dress, like the Giselle? ooh...
ReplyDeleteI don't know if my email address was on that - anna at copyqueen (co uk)
ReplyDeleteI LOVE the Tule - Quietude!
ReplyDeleteWhat a great giveaway! I would chose the cotton chambray - lagoon. It would make a lovely dress or skirt for the summer.
ReplyDeleteThe biolinen in teal or anthrazit or maybe the aqua... infact in any of the colours. Have just got back from Spain where I saw an elegant woman on the beach slip a simple knee length, slashnecked, side pocketed loose linen dress on over her bikini and saunter to the bar. very lovely, very stylish. Was just sketching it out so I could make it when I encountered some of the right weight linen and then I pootled about and read your post. Coincidence! pammcluskie@hotmail.com
ReplyDeleteGreat giveaway! i like the Paisley Flower Cotton Lawn blue
ReplyDeleteAnna
anna_k67@yahoo.com
Ohh I would go for.. Cool Cords the flowers in grey. And I'd make a cool pinafore for summer.
ReplyDeleteOh I just love their linen collection, especially the Brussels Washer range. Ocean is my favourite!
ReplyDeleteThere's a lovely cotton lawn with crinkle effect that looks perfect for summer... Blue with yellow paint. I'd love some of that!
ReplyDeleteI fell in love with Westfalenstoffe Organic Cotton - Squirrel :)
ReplyDeletemmyheartishere@gmail.com
It might be a little boring (compared to all those lovely prints) but I would go for the Brussels Washer http://www.dragonflyfabrics.co.uk/linen/brussels-washer/product-2081.php or the Essex Linen http://www.dragonflyfabrics.co.uk/linen/cotton-linen/product-2097.php.
ReplyDeleteGreetings from Berlin
Janina
Ooh, I would get enough of the Trellis Blue to make a dress! Thanks so much for the giveaway :)
ReplyDeleteI have my eye on the campan white/navy jersey for my planned coco.
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Brussels washer Ocean is a fabulous colour and might tempt me to make my first dress sheena.batey@tesco.net
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