Thursday, May 26, 2011

I love a pretty package...

During my hiatus, I read about the boatload of Liberty of London prints that fabric.com had acquired.  Now they've got this in the tana lawn, poplin and in knit fabrications for a reasonable price...well at least I thought it was reasonable...especially since I bought 2.5 yards last year from another online retailer for about $11 more a yard and paid shipping & handling to get them to me.

Fabric.com was offering these goodies at the lesser price, with free shipping and I found a 10% off coupon to help lessen the sting.  So I bought 4.5 yards to make some summer dresses.

2.5 yards of this one                                 and 2 yards of this one:










I know you are wondering about the pretty package title right?  Well last summer I made my TNT pattern using the Liberty of London fabric I purchased from another online retailer and it's one of my favorite dresses:


However, I lined that dress in a rayon ambiance lining and it can stick to my body when I'm down in the subway during the hottest months of the summer.  But this is one of my best professional looks for summer.  I never fail to get compliments on it and since the entire dress barely weighs 2 lbs soaking wet, it is one of my most comfortable summer dresses.

So I wanted to use a different type of lining for these two versions.  I've used cotton batiste in garments before and sometimes it doesn't flow well beneath a dress...but I do need an absorbent cotton batiste.  Then I remembered Farmhouse Fabrics...the heirloom sewist's choice for fine cottons and voiles.  When I went to their site, not only did I find some amazing cotton batistes but I also found a selection of silk batiste.  Be still my heart!!!!

I ordered 4 yards of white and 4 yards of black (there might yet be more Liberty of London prints in my future so I gotta be prepared!) and this is what arrived today:


Seriously, isn't this the most precious packaging EVAH!  So I  will be lining my next Liberty of London dresses with this awesome silk batiste...I know...I know...I've spent a pretty penny to make two dresses but as the L'Oreal commercial says..."I'm worth it!"  *LOL*

...more later!

36 comments:

  1. You are worth it! Can't wait to see the summer dresses.

    ReplyDelete
  2. The dresses will feel divine to wear. I think if you are going to wear them a lot and be comfortable through a hot summer then the fabric cost is well worth it.

    ReplyDelete
  3. That package is almost enough to make me buy some! I love the Liberty prints and they will make such lovely summer dresses.

    ReplyDelete
  4. You are definitely worth it! Can't wait to see your new dresses and hear your assessment of the different lining materials. Also, thanks for the tip about farmhouse fabrics.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Ooooh, thanks for the site for heirloom fabrics, I also make dolls and it is so hard to get the right fabrics at times in Australia, so I will be checking this out.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Only have a minute here to take your today's post in with, as I have to get ready for a busy day....howevah...I'll be back to this post later this evening....and just take in and glean all of this wonderful fabric info. you've so lovingly shared with us!
    Thank-you! Thank-you! Thank-you!!!
    Wishing you a super great day!
    Ahhhh! A 3 day weekend is almost upon us! More time to spend savoring over the info. in your post!!!
    Take care!!!

    ReplyDelete
  7. Beautiful fabrics and I love the scale of those summery prints. I'm so curious as to how your silk batiste lining will work for you. You got me started on a dress kick myself and I was hoping that bemberg would be comfortable lining for a sleeveless sheath. I'll be watching eagerly to see what your experience it this summer.

    ReplyDelete
  8. I look froward to more of your thoughts on linings for those hot days. I lined a dress with cotton batiste and it does breath well and it flows a whole lot better than I expected it would.

    Last year's Liberty dress is one of my all-time-Carolyn-favorites. You totally deserve it! Think of the bargains and it all averages out over time!

    ReplyDelete
  9. Very timely, Carolyn. I've just been thinking about linings for summer dresses. Thank you!

    ReplyDelete
  10. Ooh, lovely fabrics!! :)
    Ashley x

    ReplyDelete
  11. You are certainly worth it. Think about how much this would cost you at retail if you could even find it.

    ReplyDelete
  12. Okay what is so special about these fabrics to make them worth the cost. Is it the prints you love or the feel and quality of the print. I don't get it. Please tell us why they are worth the price.

    ReplyDelete
  13. Your dress looks beautiful and the print is lovely. You look great in it. Silk batiste...WOW! That'll be soooo nice!

    ReplyDelete
  14. Interesting that you found the rayon lining sticks. I underlined a cotton dress with rayon last summer and it works well but then we don't get the hot summer weather here that you do in NY.
    Nice fabrics, definitely worth the extra expense for lining them to your liking.

    ReplyDelete
  15. Lovely! I wish I could purchase some of the Liberty of London fabric. I think my Husband would kill me though! Even at $28.00 a yard it is still a bit pricey for me. I think the prints you bought will make amazing dresses! I can't wait to see them.

    ReplyDelete
  16. Wow, silk batiste! What a luxury, but you ARE worth it!

    ReplyDelete
  17. Last year's dress turned out great and you look awesome wearing it. I have some cotton batiste that I could dye so I can underline a dress.

    ReplyDelete
  18. Looking forward to seeing the new LOL dresses! The lining will be divine. You are worthy!

    ReplyDelete
  19. Carolyn, I love Farmhouse Fabrics! Their batiste collection is, in my opinion, the best available--I've used their silk batiste, which is lovely--and I absolutely love the Swiss muslin! Getting a package from them is a day-brightener always!

    ReplyDelete
  20. The packaging is lovely! I have not gotten up the guts to get some Liberty of London fabric yet......too much pressure to get it right but with fabric.com having them now I might be more inclinded.

    ReplyDelete
  21. hello...

    ...your shift dress is absolutely divine...i can only imagine you must feel truly special in this liberty print

    louise

    ReplyDelete
  22. Oh I love Farmhouse Fabrics. They have the best batiste, silk and cotton. Those are going to be wonderful dresses.

    ReplyDelete
  23. A Liberty print dress already made and fitted to you would cost a great deal more, so I think you're doing okay, really.

    Can you IMAGINE how awesome that silk batiste is going to feel next to your skin in summer? Be still my heart!

    ReplyDelete
  24. That is a great look on you. You truly are a Dress Diva.

    ReplyDelete
  25. As much as I hate to admit it, I'm a sucker for pretty packaging. But I just don't get it with Liberty - is the the quality of the fabric or is it the print that is the thing?

    ReplyDelete
  26. I've been reading your blog for a while and have found you so inspiring and instructive! Thanks for another bit of inspiration, I really like how the Liberty print works with the style of the dress and the tip about Farmhouse Fabrics is great. I've been looking for an good source for nicer lining fabrics for a little while now.

    ReplyDelete
  27. Very nice looking dress! Silk batiste? Oh my....that sounds delicious!

    Barb

    ReplyDelete
  28. You *are* worth it! Too often we try to make things as cheaply as possible and I wonder if that sometimes doesn't unconsciously say that we're not worth a few extra dollars for something as luxe as a silk batiste lining.

    ReplyDelete
  29. Pretty fabrics! Enjoy spoiling yourself!!!

    ReplyDelete
  30. I am so jealous! Forgive my covetousness...I was just looking at all the Liberty prints at fabric.com yesterday. What a nice surprise. I can't think of a more perfect display for those beautiful prints than on a simple sheath dress like yours. Very pretty.

    ReplyDelete
  31. Ok...your post came right on time. I was just thinking about using cotton batiste as lining for some cotton sateen skirts that is in my queue. But when I read about the silk batiste you found my heart started to pitter patter. I immediatley left your post and went to the website and order the silk batiste in black and white. (sorry, I was so excited. lol)

    I normally do not wear prints, but you peaked my intersted and I found a nice Liberty of London print for a sheath dress. Thanks!!!

    ReplyDelete
  32. The original Liberty dress is still one of my favorites. :) I bought some of the knit this week since the color scheme was totally in my wheelhouse - deep blue with orange flowers. Adore! I'm saving it for a summer dress post-baby. Can't wait to get it in my hot little hands though. ;)

    ReplyDelete
  33. You are going to love the silk batiste. It is often used for slips in christening gowns or even for the actual garments. Its a dream of a fabric.

    ReplyDelete
  34. Ms. Carolyn, you are such an enabler. Lol I've bookmarked the store and will probably order from them soon. Thanks, C

    ReplyDelete
  35. LOVE it! Both the fabric AND that fabulous lining.

    ReplyDelete

Thanks for stopping by and leaving a comment! It is so appreciated!

LinkWithin

Related Posts with Thumbnails