I’m so excited to finally be able to share this project with y’all!
Over the summer, I’ve been in cahoots with Allison of Shutters & Shuttles to collaborate a fabric + dress design. She reached out to me after I made my Scout Tee using some of her fabric, and we thought it would be fun to match up a custom fabric with a pattern, as well as having a little giveaway too!
If you’re not familiar with Shuttles & Shuttles, they are a small company that produces handwoven and hand-dyed fabric, made entirely in Nashville, TN. Allison produces all the fabric herself using a 60″ AVL mechanical dobby loom, and makes all sorts of fabric goods – from rugs, to blankets, to yardage (some of which is produced into small batches of ready-to-wear clothing). Some of her fabrics appear in limited-edition Elizabeth Suzann collections, which is how I came to be familiar with the line (and spoiled rotten by getting to sew them!). Suffice to say, I’m a big fan of Shutters & Shuttles and I just love everything that comes out of Allison’s studio. It’s a bonus to be able to say that I literally know who made my fabric 🙂 So obviously I am pretty excited about this collaboration!
The awesome part about working with a fabric designer is that you actually get to design the fabric. What a novel idea, amirite?! 😉 Allison has a swatch book showing all the designs and colors that she’s made – everything from intricate designs woven into the fabric, to a simple weave with a beautiful hand-dyed watercolor effect. You know how the first time you went into a fabric store, you were likely overwhelmed from all the sheer possibility staring at you from every direction? Well, I kind of had the same feeling – except multiplied! It was REALLY hard to choose a design; I wanted one of everything all at once! Ultimately, though, I knew this piece was pretty special and I wanted to do my garment the justice of allowing it to be worn frequently. We ended up with a fairly simple design, which I just think is absolutely gorgeous. A medium weight cotton yarn, dyed a deep rich navy blue, woven with a heavy slubbed texture. The fabric has a lot of dimension and texture, and the color is a perfect backdrop to show that off. It’s a warm, heavy fabric – it feels like I’m wearing a blanket. Sooo, obviously I made a blanket dress. Yes!
Wanting to stick with something tried and true (like, this NOT the project to allow for any mishaps!), I made another Papercut Patterns Sway dress. Yep – my second navy Sway dress in 2015. Hey, what can I say – at least I’m predictable 😉 This is definitely a winter-weight dress, as the fabric is so robust and heavy. It’s a great match for this pattern, as it hangs and drapes beautifully into an exaggerated tent shape. Since the pattern design is so simple, it really gives the fabric a chance to take center stage. BUT, since the fabric is also (relatively) simple, this is a good staple dress that can be worn different ways, like a good pair of jeans. It looks great with a collared shirt, with a simple long sleeved shirt, or with a turtleneck. I’m wearing it here with my grey wool Renfrew cowl, which I really love! Super cozy, y’all!
This being a really simple dress that I’ve already made before, there’s not much new to talk about construction-wise. I serged all my seams independently, then pressed them open and catch-stitched each side down to keep them flat. That alone was the bulk of the time it took to make this – that’s a lot of hand-sewing! I also slip-stitched the hem for an invisible finish, and WHEW THAT TOOK FOREVER. Totally worth it for the finished effect, though. Since the fabric is really heavy and thus puts a lot of strain on the shoulders, I used a heavier fabric for the front and back facings, as well as interfaced them (using self-fabric would have been way too thick). Actually, the fabric I used is the same linen that I made my first Sway dress with – ha! It was a good color match 😉 I also made sure to add pockets – also out of the linen!
Fit-wise, the only change I made was to raise the armholes by about 1/2″ as I felt like they were too low on my first dress. This being a winter dress, I will likely always wear it with a top underneath – so low armholes aren’t much of a problem, but I’m glad I raised them anyway!
As with my first Sway, this dress is designed to be worn forwards or backwards. I really like it with the v at the back, but wearing it with the v in the front + a vneck tshirt – that’s a nice look, too! The only issue this poses is when it comes to hemming – it’s hard to get a perfectly even hem all the way around, because once you flip the dress around, protruding boobs hike the hemline up a little! I straightened things out as best I could, but I’ve also come to terms with the fact that the hem will never be 100% perfectly even. Oh, who am I kidding – my hems are never even. WHATEVER.
Working with this fabric was SUCH a joy! It’s so easy to cut and handle, and the cotton content means that it takes pressing like a champion. I do recommend catching down all your seam allowances, as it helps keep things nice and flat so you get a good sharp press on the outside. One thing that Allison and I discussed was whether or not this fabric is suitable to sew if you don’t have a serger for finishing the raw edges. Obviously, serging would be first choice – the fabric is prone to fraying, so serging that eliminates the possibility of unraveling and blends is really nicely with the fabric texture. That being said, the fraying isn’t super terrible – the fabric is a tight weave, so it hold it’s own pretty well. I do think finishing your raw edges is pretty important, but even just a simple pass with a zigzag stitch would work fine. Something gorgeous like a bound or Hong Kong seam finish would be perfect, although I didn’t take that extra step personally (I did consider it! But only consider it, ha!). For places that I didn’t serge – such as inside the all-in-one facing – I shortened my stitch length a couple mm’s to give the seam a little more strength.
All that being said, don’t let a lack of overlocker deter you from using this fabric! It’s a lot more durable than you think, like, it’s not going to completely unravel itself just from you looking at it. This isn’t some crazy bouclé, after all 😉 haha!
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Here’s a close-up of the fabric’s color and texture. Isn’t it delicious?!
Oh! As a fun little bonus, when I came to pick up my fabric – there was this cool white border print taking up about the first 1/2 yard or so. Allison said she’d tied the navy threads onto the white that was already on the loom to start off (forgive me if I’m totally butchering this explanation – I’ve never woven fabric before!), and played around with a fun design before the white ran out and went into solid navy. She offered to cut it off, but I wanted to try to use it because it is SO cool looking! There wasn’t a lot of the design to play with – it’s about half a yard, going along the width of the fabric. I was able to eek out a simple scarf, though:
aka A BLANKET FOR MY NECK.
I really wanted to wear the two pieces together, but I have spared you.
I really agonized over how to finish the raw edges of this scarf. The short edges are selvedge, so they are fine as-is. I thought about doing a rolled hem, but I realized that the fabric is so textured and cushy, it actually hides serging really well. Look at the blue edge – can you see the serging? Just barely! So yeah, I just serged my edges and called it a day! Insta-scarf!
Ok, I think you guys have put up with my blabber long enough for one post – let me blab about this giveaway now! Allison wove some extra yardage of this lovely blue cotton, which means that one of you get a piece! Yay!
GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED
The giveaway is for a piece of plain weave, hand-dyed, hand-woven blue cotton fabric from Shutters & Shuttles and made in Nashville, TN. The fabric is approximately 60″ wide, and you get 1.5 yards – which is plenty to do something fun with! Oh, and it’s pre-washed! (although you may want to wash it separately by itself the first few times, in case the dye decides to bleed) Wanna throw your name in the bucket? Just leave a comment on this post and tell me what you would make if you won the fabric! This is an awesome, warm, heavy cotton fabric that would do well for something like my Sway dress- it would also make a lovely circle skirt, or even a REALLY comfy pair of loose pants! Or maybe you want to be boring and make a bunch of scarves? 🙂 I won’t judge you! (note, the cool white border won’t come on your piece. That was a one-off that I selfishly kept for myself, not even gonna apologize for that!)
The giveaway is open WORLDWIDE and I will close the comments one week from today, on December 21, 2015 at 7:00 AM CST. In the meantime, you should check out the Shutters & Shuttles site, including all the inspirational things in the shop. Oh! Speaking of which – if you want to buy something, use the code LLADBIRD for a 15% discount – good through 12/25/15 (meaning, you can still totally buy yourself a great Christmas gift 😉 Including this exact yardage, YAY!).
GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED
MASSIVE thanks to Allison + Shutters & Shuttles for doing this collaboration with me, because this fabric is fucking awesome!! Now, which one of y’all is gonna be my fabric twinsie? 🙂 Good luck!!!
LLADYBIRD 
I love this fabric! I’d use it to make a pinafore dress that I’ve wanted to make for years (the pattern is from a 90’s burda – I’ve literally waited till they came back into fashion!)
This dress (and the whole outfit) is amazing! I love hearing about the process of weaving fabric and the result is so beautiful. If I had some I think I’d have to copy you with a super versatile winter dress!
I think it would make a gorgeous coat! Or a cape, with something fuzzy to line it.
That fabric is incredibly beautiful. I weave a little bit so I’m going to be stalking these comments for FO ideas for sure!
Some sort of lounge wear. Love comfortable clothes.
Though it would be hard to resist the temptation not to replicate your très chic sway dress + grey renfrew look, I think that wonderful texture would make an amazing little spring jacket, something my wardrobe is missing, and so that’s what I’d do with it if I won.
My name is Rose Pearce btw, I guess I used my university wordpress account to post that comment, ooops. Back to work.
I would either make a cute blazer or a skirt. Ooooor a jumper, the possibilities are endless. It’s a great fabric!
I think it would make an awesome skirt for work. I think it is heavy enough to cope with English winters. I can picture it with a variety of Lark Tees.
I’d love that beautiful Shutters and Shuttles fabric! It’s my favourite colour sand the texture looks divine. I’d make a circle skirt to show off the fabric 🙂
great dress! I would make a cozy cardigan, thanks for the giveaway 😉
Ooh, I’d definitely make a loose-fitting cropped cape/jacket with a hood, so I could wear it with a jumper underneath and keep out the winter chills!
Ooo! I want to be your fabric twin! Hm… I would make…I’m thinking jacket. Really I would “let the fabric speak to me, but some sort of jacket would be really cool. I like those biker style ones. You could add some stretchy panels or something. Ooo!!
beautiful fabric! I would make a hodie or a bomber jacket!
A top because I’d want that blue near my face!
Awesome! I’d probably make a colette Laurel – no chance of messing up the fabric with something basic!
This fabric is super pretty. I really love the texture!
I would probably make an oversized shirt or maybe a loose dress, something I could wear all the time for different occasions.
This fabric is just gorgeous. I think I would make a jacket out of it (but I love the Sway dress too!)
Love it! I’ve just started doing some weaving but am still a total newbie. I’m thinking I might make a comfy jacket – something like the BHL Victoria Blazer – or a skirt, probably the Fit and Flare Skirt by Maison Fleur
Sticking with the Papercut theme, I’d try to eke out a Saiph Tunic from the 1.5 yards with some creative cutting.
I think it would look fantastic made into a fitted corporate styled dress, maybe with some black contrast fabric to really bring out the colour and texture of the weave.
I am in love with this fabric! I think I’d opt for a circle skirt–it would be so versatile. 😀
Beautiful fabric and I love your sway dress! I’d probably make a Hollyburn skirt. Definitely have to go with a tried and true pattern for gorgeous fabric like that!
What an amazing fabric! I would love to make a comfy tshirt dress out of it!
Oh, great fabric and dress! I would probably make myself a great winter dress, or a cozy blanket-y sweater!
Supercute dress!! I love the fabric!!!
Love the dress! I would probably use the fabric to make a fleece-lined bomber jacket. Seems perfect for that! 🙂
I would make a little cropped woven-sweater top or else a great pair of high waisted pants.
That fabric is amazeballs! I would so make a jumper to layer over long sleeves, my fave is the Adelaide from Seamwork (but this fabric may be too heavy, dunno). Love the texture of the weave!
I’d love to use that great fabric to make one of the skirts from Boundless Style (a Hanukkah gift from my sister!). Something a little hollyburn-esque but but actually in my size and totally custom.
I would make an oversized, boxy top with wide sleeves and an exposed half zipper up the back!
Love the winter version of that dress, and that fabric? Love!
That fabric is gorgeous! As is the dress :0) I would make a simple, a-line dress or tunic top.
Maybe a simple pencil skirt……although that might end up like iron around your thighs!
So exciting! I would either make a kimono or a flowy cardigan.
That is a gorgeous piece of fabric! And the sway dress was the perfect choice! If I won is make a skirt for sure. I’m in desperate need of some new ones that I actually like and will wear.
gorgeous. i would probably make a hollyburn-esque skirt.
Oh my…oh my…. OH MY! Sewing a handmade garment with handwoven fabric? I think my head might explode…. But I’d be l willing to try it. And I think I’d also make a smart jacket like the BHL Victoria, or a Merchant & Mills Top 64…. Your Sway dress is beautiful, love it with the short boots. Nice work, lady!
I made a Sway Dress in the same color in a wool and silk blend fabric and I love it! The Shutter and Shuttles fabric looks divine and if I win id probably make a pair of Tania Culottes or a Hollyburn Skirt!
The fabric sounds so lovely . .I’d probably be very boring and make something like Colette’s Paxon or another loose cozy top to wear over skinnies. (Which uh, I just got my cone mills denim shipping notification and I am kind of freaking out as now I really do have to make my own jeans! EEEEE.)
Definitely sounds perfect for a button up shirt, I guess.
But it’s a very special fabric, so I’m probably too scared to cut in it… 😉
I love the texture of this fabric. I would absolutely make a lightweight indoor jacket for the winter since I’m freezing 86% of the time.
I would love to make a pair of loose pants with this fabric!
Beautiful fabric. I would make a jacket to wear in spring and fall.
I am not ashamed! I would totally copycat and make a Sway dress! The texture and color are gorgeous, and it drapes so perfectly for that pattern.
I’m thinking circle skirt or some kind of cool shrug/wrap thingy. I’m from Knoxville, TN, so it would be so cool to win something local!
I’m looking at your Sway dress ( which is adorable) and thinking of Roxnne top (Victory patterns) lengthen to a dress with some less heavyweight wool blend for the awesome collar.
I covet that fabric for a jacket. Would have to wait to touch it to decide whether or not to quilt, but yum.
I LOVE the visual texture and depth of color of your fabric, Lauren. I would make a Xerea dress by Pauline Alice for winter layering. Would it be a suitable weight for this pattern? Thanks for the opportunity!
I think I’d probably try and make a jacket of some sort or an awesome hoody!!
Frankie
http://Www.knitwits-owls.blogspot.co.uk
I’d serge the raw edges and roll myself up in it like a human burrito. I’m a very behind on my sewing, house remodeling, mothering, and life — my two year old still has her paci and the judgemental woman in line behind me at Kroger can go fuck herself. I want a blanket for my soul, and this would be the perfect fabric for it.
I would make a cape or cardigan with it.
Amazing fabric! And I just love the color. I would make a circle skirt if I’m lucky enough 🙂
Ooo I would either make a Rigel Bomber or be boring and make a carbon copy of your outfit.
Just love this fabric and would love to make a skirt… but who knows, I might change my mind just before cutting.
Btw you look really lovely in these pictures, love your hair color!
I’d want to make a little smartish jacket with this! What a beautiful colour!
Some kind of drapey cardigan… It’s beautiful fabric!
A cape! A circle skirt! What fun.
That would make a perfect winter skirt, with pockets. Pockets are a necessity.
Why be original when you’ve already made such a strong case for the sway dress?! I’d use that amazing fabric just as you have! It’s incredible!
I like the fabric, though the style of the dress is not for me. I think is go for a jacket, though perhaps with the yardage if I win a skirt might be a better option. Fingers crossed!
I was thinking loose pants until I saw someone mention a bomber jacket — which has been on my want to sew list for forever! Definitely the bomber.
That fabric looks like it would make a fabulous Phoebe dress, the new colette pattern. Like your sway dress you could layer it with Lark tees and turtle necks.
I scored an old “Our State” magazine with an excellent article about Cone Mills. Shoot me your mailing address and I’ll send it along for your reading plasir.
Grace and peace,
LinB
Lovely dress and great fabric! I would probably make the Oslo sweater from seamwork magazine with it.
I love the sway dress! It is on my to make list to make. I think this cut of fabric would also make a wonderful yoyo dress.
I love the sway dress! It is on my to make list to make. I think this cut of fabric would also make a wonderful yoyo dress. (Sorry about the double comments, my tablet wouldn’t get me type in a name or e-mail address.
Pants for me.
Ok I love this fabric! The texture looks amazing. And the small batch hand dyed hand woven Speaks to my heart! I would make an endless summer tunic. And Totally copy cat the way you styled the sway! 🙂 or maybe tillys Arielle skirt? Love the idea for a laurel too.
Gorgeous!!! There are so many possibilities, but I’m leaning towards a collarless crop jacket.
I love this color! I think either a skirt or dress would be amazing with it.
your dress is awesome! i would make a named patterns inari tee dress or maybe a republique du chiffon bernadette jacket!!
I’d make a paneled skirt and underline it with a suitable silk that wrapped around to finish off the seams (like a Hong Kong finish). Or maybe I’d do flat-felled seams. If there were enough left over, I’d make a vest.
What an awesome fabric and collaboration! I love saucy-60s vibe your Sway dress has going on. I’d probably make a skirt, but if I were creative, I might be able to eek one of my Frankendresses out of it. I’d have to see! I’m on a dress kick this winter, so I’d probably try for the dress. 🙂
I think that fabric would make some fabulous throw pillows! I love the texture!
I’d have to make either a cape with bound edges or a funnel neck jumper. Regardless, it would be something to keep me nice and toasty!
I love this fabric and I would make a sweater with it – if I didn’t have quite enough yardage I would add some white knit cotton out of my stash 🙂 Your scarf is brilliant however and you’ve given me some inspiration to make myself one now that the cold weather is here!
LOVE it! I could see this making an AWESOME Hollyburn skirt…. and I could really use a winter navy skirt 😀
Some sort of jacket, if I could squeeze it out of the yardage! Grainline’s Tamarack maybe? with a contrast lining?
I’m in! Gorgeous fabric and color. Thanks for sharing the process. Love the idea of loose pants for cozy times,
I guess I would make a skirt of some sort, maybe a circle skirt as you mentioned.
I love Shutters and Shuttles and would love to win a piece of their fabric! I’m an aspiring weaver myself, so they are such an inspiration. 🙂 If I won I would either make a circle skirt, I can never get enough of those, or maybe some pillow covers for our living room that we’re slowly working on renovating!
Pleated circle skirt with a high, wide waistband! Gorgeous fabric, I am so impressed!
I’d make a dress — probably a modified Belladone.
you’re totally owning the tent look! You look very “japanese sewing pattern picture” in these! (in a good way obisouly).
I think I’d make a sigma dress. Or skirt. I’m borderline obsessed with sigma skirts at the moment 🙂
I would make a lovely dress!
No idea what I’d make. Maybe a nice coat or something like that. 🙂
Some lovely pants for me
I’ve got a wrap skort pattern I’ve been meaning to try and 1.5 yards is the perfect length!
I’d make a skirt — maybe a hollyburn! Thanks for the chance to win!
What a wonderful giveaway! I would make a jacket of sorts. Or maybe pants. Nashville seems like such an awesome space for fiber/garment lovers right now.
My first thought would be to make a loose-fitting jacket or vest.
What a great and unique fabric …
If I won I would make a blanket scarf or a poncho or a wrap … Definitely something cozy and warm …
Thanks for the chance …
Wonderful material, and dress. I would make a cape..
I’ve ordered a few things from Shuttles and Shutters and love their fabric and I recently made a cowl from their silk yarn. This blue fabric is really wonderful and so is your dress.
Love your dress and scarf! But then again I love everything you make…so inspiring, especially for a non sewist like myself. I’m going to keep reading and one day take the plunge and try to sew something myself. I’d try something easy like a cape w that beautiful fabric. (That’s easy right?!!)
I’ve made two sway dresses since I saw it first on your blog…and I think I’d definitely have to make a third in this fabric! So cute!
There is a design perfect for this fabric. It’s an overall dress like yours, but cut under the breast (empire cut, you say?) with darts under breasts and tight bodice, and an evassé mini-skirt. I have a black and white version I made years ago that I was wearing precisely today and I love. I cannot show it to you, because it was before blogging, but give me the fabric and I’ll show you , hehehe!!!
Some sort of cropped (warm!) jacket. Would be so lovely with black pants or jeans!
I think I’d love a swingy sway dress just like yours. You did a beautiful job!
Wow I love the dress. I just finished up a sway dress last week just in time for summer. I’d make a jacket out of the fabric, it is gorgeous.
I’d make a skirt with it I think. Although the sway dress is super cute.
The fabric and your dress look both amazing. I love how the fabric has enough body so that the dress has a nice shape. I would probably attempt something similar only with a more racerback-y look or try and make my pattern closer to the Sway dress.
I love the texture of the fabric. I would use it for the front and back of a Morris jacket and find a similar, complimentary fabric for the sleeves.
That’s awesome! This would make a great blanket skirt to keep my legs warm when it gets really cold…
love your dress. boring, but i would go the same route as you did. fitted around bust and shoulders, and then trepeze….
I think I’d make an Oslo out of it to keep cozy and warm 🙂
Love the fabric; such a beautiful colour! I’m new to sewing clothes and am not sure if it would be appropriate but would love to have a go at sewing a SewitOver Ultimate pencil skirt for my daughter who will be starting sixth form next September. That gives me plenty of practice time ; ) !
OMG, that is beautiful fabric. I think I would make a cozy sweatshirt!
I am not sure what I would make. Probably a skirt or a dress. I have to have the fabric in front of me, touch it, play with it… that’s how I usually decide what to make. 🙂
That fabric is awesome. I’d love to use it for a really cosy winter dress.
First of all, the trapeze silhouette looks great on you. I tried once and it just doesn’t work with my rack. About the fabric give-away …that is so generous of Allison! One of my life-long dreams is to take up weaving. If I am the lucky recipient I’d probably make a drop-shoulder woven tee.
Wow…designing your own fabric seems like such a fun luxury! I would be more than happy to be your fabric twin. 🙂 I’m imagining a simple boatneck shift dress (maybe with in-seam pockets), to let the beautiful color and texture really take center stage. Thanks for opening this giveaway up to your international readers, by the way!
This whole outfit is aweosme-you’ve style it pretty mch exactly as I would.
It’s hard to know what I would like to make with the material without having played with it first, but I like the idea of a 1930’s or -40’s inspired A-line skirt with interesting pockets. Although, a cozy capelette or wrap also sounds nice.
The fabric is devine – what gorgeous colour and texture!!
I think I would have to make a cape so I can swath myself in its rich colour!
Or, possibly a Moto jacket (Style Arc Ziggi maybe)
The possibilities are infinite…
Eeeek, how gorgeous!! I love the fabric so much. I would probably do a very simple sheath dress with elbow-length sleeves – or maybe something like the Inari tee dress? Thanks!
Wow, everything about this is perfect! The fabric! The dress! Love it!
Woohoo, a giveaway! I love your Sway dress, just making a second papercut Clover with similar tent shape, although less pronounced. Anyway, I’d have a go at making the new Colette Phoebe with this beautiful yardage.
Ooohhh…a circle skirt sounds amazing! Love that dress on you!
I would make an A-line skirt with buttons down the front 😊
I’ve made a dress with a purple fabric that looks very similar to this, so I’d probably try a skirt for a second runaround!
I wanna be your blanket clothes twin! I would make a tulip skirt and as many scarves as I could get out of that beautiful fabric!
Ooo, so pretty! I think I’d try a Sydney jacket by Tessuti. Here in Dallas a thick cotton line that would carry me through most of the winter. Such a lovely giveaway. Thank you for offering it!
Pajamas! Definitely Grainline’s Lakeside pajamas but if I could manage to cut the Carolyn pajamas from that yardage then that would be even better.
For the winter season, probably a nice cape to show off the fabric.
That blue! It’s gorgeous, as is your dress. Well done to both of you!
I’ve been wanting a floor length skirt for a while, so I’d either do that or copy your lead and make it into a versatile dress (so I could have that blue by my face!)
Gorgeous texture and color in that fabric! I think I’d like some wide-legged pants, or a tunic.
I would make a skirt of some sort with this lovely fabric. I have challenged myself to only create all of my work clothes for the next year instead of purchasing things. Not sure I can do it, as I am still new to sewing, but I’m excited to try!
How awesome your dress & fabric is! I think I’d opt for a jumper of some sort – a dress that I could layer over a t-shirt would be great. *crossing my fingers*
RAD! I would make a cape or poncho, maybe using the Colette seamwork pattern from last month. LOVE!
Gah, me, me, pick me! I would probably copy your exact outfit because that looks AMAZING!!
Your sway dress looks amazing! I would love to win this fabric for sewing up a circle top. That color is gorgeous.
Hmm it’s pretty tempting to just straight up copy your Sway dress! What a great staple for winter, I can’t really think of another garment that would get as much wear or showcase the fabric so well. That fabric is 100% gorgeous, I’m off to check out the website.
Beautiful! I would make a loose ttunic style dress with large patch pockets. K
An A-line skirt to wear all the time 🙂
This fabric is divine and your sway dress is perfection! I would love to get my mitts on some of this lush stuff! I’m on a Grainline Moss Mini kick at the moment, so I might make another of those after gazing lovingly at the fabric for a few hours……. Thanks!
I’d make a nice cozy winter skirt.
This fabric is gorgeous! I would totally make a shift dress out of it! Thanks for the giveaway!
Love the fabric and the dress. I’m in need of a long, warm, simple vest and this fabric would be fab.
That scarf is beautiful with the diamond edging! I’d love this fabric for a circle skirt – I need some nice semi-formal work clothes.
I love everything! Your dress, the fabric, the color and cute little you! You remind me of my daughter/best friend that moved to San Antonio with hubby and chillins a year ago May. The baby was born here, Columbia, SC and I cut his cord! I miss her and hubby so much. You keep me smiling, I love your sense of humor. I look forward to your posts!!! Keep it up, darlin’! ☺️ Linda
wow, such a generous giveaway! Your dress is beautiful and the fabric is amazing. I would love to be dress twins with you, or the comfy pants option. Lovely to see a local (to you) weaver.
What a stunning outfit! I think I’d go for something like the wiggle dress from Gertie’s book to show off the cool fabric. Thanks for the giveaway!
What gorgeous fabric! How wonderful to know that not only did you make your own dress, but you also know the person who made your fabric – amazing!! I think it would be the perfect fabric for a Woodland Stroll Cape.
I’d use the fabric to make a Fumeterre skirt from Deer and Doe patterns. I think the weight and the drape would be perfect for a nice cozy winter skirt.
Wow! Love your dress – it’s so winter chic! I’m drafting a fitted blazer pattern for myself at the moment and this fabric colour and texture is exactly what I had in mind during the excited/sleepless nights plotting it all out! 🙂
I am 6 1/2 months pregnant and none of my winter coats fit anymore! I would definitely make a maternity jacket!
I love that you found some locally made fabric! And it is really really pretty. I would probably go with a skirt. Maybe the sewaholic pattern.
I’d like to say that I’d be adventurous and try for pants, but realistically it would become a flared skirt, lol. Maybe a Melissa from Muse Patterns (my latest fav skirt).
A cape or jacket with a matching hat would be so cute. The color is fabulous.
I LOVE that fabric! I would love to see if I could squeeze a pair of Woven Hudson pants out of 1.5 yards. If that isn’t possible I might try to copy you with my very own Sway dress.
I am picturing a pencil skirt! Or the cape pattern that was just in Seamwork magazine.
This fabric is AMAZING I would love the chance to make something out of it. I’m going to be making my sister a cape this week and I think this would be wonderful fabric to use for a similar pattern. But realistically I would probably make something like a fit and flare dress, or a sheath dress, something simple to showcase the fabric.
I love your pattern for your dress, it looks wonderful on you, but would never suit me. x
I’m sure you can imagine how much I want to touch that fabric!! I would make a soft little jacket. Your comments about finishing seams made me nostalgic for my grandma. Every time she saw me in something I made, she would check my seams to make sure I had finished them neatly. I developed great sewing habits because of her!
A skirt, a-line, I think
I love the close-up pictures! The texture looks amazing. I think I’d probably do the same and make a winter dress that I could layer with different things 🙂 The two necklines are cool!
That outfit looks amazing on you. There is no way I’d be able to wear a dress like that. If I was to win I’d use the fabric to make a skirt I think.
Holy beautiful!! I am in LOVE with this fabric, and I think this pattern is absolutely perfect for it. The dress looks just as good in a heavy fabric as it does in a lighter weight! You did such a beautiful job on this, as always. I couldn’t be more obsessed with the color/texture. My mom is a weaver and I have so much admiration for the craft. Also, love that you brought your dress form outside for photos — it made me smile, and you can see the detail so well!
I’d make a transition-season jacket out of this fabric. I’m picturing the most crisp two-piece sleeves and drooling over here!
Wow, your Sway dress looks so comfy and the fabric is lovely. 1.5 yards is just enough for BurdaStyle 02/2012 #112, a boxy Asian inspired short jacket. I’d leave out the batting in this pattern, this fabric would have enough body as it is. I think it would look great with jeans or high-waisted slim pants. Handwoven fabric, a dream come true. Thanks for offering this giveaway.
Swoon! That fabric is AMAZING. I’ve been weaving for a year now, and this just makes me want to weave everything, right now, and start sewing it (I’ve been afraid to cut!) If I won this fabric, I’d spend a goodly long time admiring and petting it. And then I’d try to find a simple skirt that would be wearable to the grave. Or you know, for a long time. Because this is some special fabric. You’re so lucky to get to work with it! (And you know you want to start weaving…that knitting is a total gateway drug/craft, ha!)
Wow what beautiful fabric. I love the idea of making a cozy pair of pants. I think I might try the moji from teamwork out on this fabric. Thanks for the chance!
oops I wrote seamwork- anyone know how to turn off autocorrect on a mac?
Cute! Your styling reminds me of Madeline: http://www.madeline.com/
I think I’d want to use the fabric to make a Burdastyle Zoe, a simple enough sixties style dress that shows off fabric like nothing else.
So beautiful! I think I’d make a cape or poncho-type-thing.
I would definitely make one of those super cute Briar tops from Megan Neilsen patterns. It would be so cozy in this fabric, maybe even with some elbow or shoulder patches.
Oh a cute sway my way!!!!! Yours came out fabulous in that fabric!!!
okay….i am going to make a JACKET!!!! I think I can get away with 1.5yds with my spectacular creative cutting layout. Which jacket you ask? Who the heck knows…Ive got several patterns to choose from. Please pick me pick me!!!!
Gorgeous fabric and dress! Thanks for the opportunity for some yardage. If I won, I’d probably make a skirt or perhaps a cropped jacket.
I’m thinking cropped, wideleg drawstring pants (though I know fabric sometimes wants to be something else, and I know better than to argue).
I would totally make a skirt. That fabric is beautiful!
You picked a beautiful design, Lauren! I think the pants idea is fantastic. And I’m short, so it might be enough yardage!
oh what heaven! I’m imagining a moss skirt and maybe a vest- although perhaps not worn together. But I would be tempted! gorgeous fabric!!
I would love to make a Papercut Waver jacket with this – I think it would look amazing! Like Little Red Riding Hood…but blue 🙂
What an amazing giveaway! Such beautiful fabric!! I don’t know what I’d do with the yardage, but I’d probably start by rubbing my face in it.
Does that sound weird??
Beautiful dress in a gorgeous fabric and lovely color. Lucky you that you have a designer you can work with to design special fabrics!
The texture looks amazing! I love a circle skirt but that might be too far away to see the texture. I might try it as a blazer.
Grainline’s Morris blazer! Likely lengthened just a bit.
I LOVE the fabric, and the dress! I would make the zillionth (but best, obviously) version of a boxy, dropped-shoulder sweater/shirt that I self drafted last winter–this fabric would be soooo perfect for it.
I want to be your fabric twin! I luuurve that texture and rich color :). I’d be tempted to make either a short skirt or a pencil skirt for work…. It would have to be a game time decision once it was in my hand.
I’d love to make a Deer&Doe Plantain shirt!
I have been looking for the perfect fabric to make my niece a shift dress. She is 15, and has the body we all dream of, but has no idea how beautiful she is! Plus, every time I make a shift dress, I find is missing from my closet and magically on her body. She is so cute and sweet that she gets away with it. I think it is time to make her a short dress all her own. Happy Holidays to you and yours!
Love that color of blue, its just so flattering.
Meant to also write that I would make a sheath dress, but kind of mod style.
That fabric is gorgeous! I think I might make some sort of jacket or maybe a dress. I love the texture.
Ohh I love that color & the texture looks so pretty! I’d probably try a fitted blazer or lightweight fitted jacket with it.
I would probably copy you and do a sway dress! Love this outfit. I think my first Houston winter calls for this perfect combo of winter fabric and fun, flirty design!
Nice dress! I would make a a seventies tea length a-line skirt.
A boxy and structured top to wear to work would be awesome in this textured blue fabric
Oh my god! This fabric is stunning! I would turn that fabric into a swingy skirt. Amazing!
So so lovely and this dress is totally up my alley!! I love it!! If I were so lucky to win I’d try for this dress but I also love the idea of a circle skirt. Naw nix that I’d want to make this cozy fun dress!!!
I’d make a Colette phoebe dress. Perfect cold weather dress.
I would make a swing jacket, similar to your Sway dress. Perfect for our frosty Melbourne winters.
I have this Merchant and Mills pant pattern that I think would be wonderful for this fabric. batresyohana@yahoo.com
That blue is so beautiful! love, love it, and skipping off to check out their website. I need a new dress.
Gorgeous dress and fabric. I would make a Woodland Stroll Cape.
Stunning! I would make a long circle skirt.
Beautiful fabric. I just want to run my fingers through it. I think I’d like to make a skirt but that may change once I can touch it.
I love this outfit! I would love to make a Clare coat, but probably not enough yardage, so maybe the Victoria blazer or a 70’s a line skirt
I’d make a cape. I love your dress!
Wow, love your dress. The fabric and pattern go together perfectly. I would use it to make the Sew over it ultimate shift dress x
Iain.ross30 at gmail dot com
You looks so cute in the outfit! I have no idea what I would make with the fabric, possibly a something like a duster.
I would probably make a loose fitting long sleeved top. Or maybe a skirt.
Your outfit is soooo cute. Beautiful dress and the fabric is divine. I’d see if I could eek out some dungarees or a pinafore dress e.g. Roberts collection.
Love the fabric, but I’m going to pass on commenting on the dress pattern. Unless you’re expecting, that is. Are congratulations in order? 😉
Looks fab on you!
If I were the lucky winner I would make a cosy poncho.
So beautiful! I think it would make a wonderful circle skirt!
Oh I have this vintage tent-dress from 1970 that I want to make and this fabric should be perfect! The pattern has a cute collar and sleeves and looks perfect for a winter dress and I do need more winterdresses.
I would totally love to make the Sew Over It ultimate pencil skirt from this! Perfect for a cold London winter!
Awesome dress!
Sam
I’ve got my eye on the Tilly and the Buttons Orla top pattern (or dress hack if there’s enough). Think it might be fun (!) to mix up such a structured pattern with a more casual cosy fabric. …or then again maybe it’ll just be a big mess !! 😉
I think I would just make a lap blanket – super easy!
Thanks for highlighting a small business fabric maker! I love what you did, and I think I would just copy that!!
I would make a sassy oversized blazer for some smart office vibes 🙂 LOVE the Sway dress.
Umm that fabric is so beautiful. I would probably make a pinafore or overalls as the dream of the 90s is alive and well in my head.
A skirt would be my choice … FIESTA 🙂
I would definitely make some sort of swingy dress- I love the way yours holds it shape so well!
Oooh this fabric is so textured and dreamy! If I won I would have a go at creating some sort of skirt hack of the BHL Elizalex pattern.
Definitely checking out the shop and website. Fabric manufacture is the one part of sewing that really confounds me. Definitely looking to make a blazer or motorcycle jacket out of this. Big silver zippers on this blue? GORGE!
Beautiful fabric! Well, I’m not sure what I would do with 1 1/2 yards, being a size 16-18 on patterns LOL. It’s not summer weight, so a tank is not an option. Maybe a beautiful yoke on a button down blouse or a yoke, button placket and cuffs on a shirt dress for my daugher (she is also of the large variety). Don’t mind me while I ruminate… 😀
This fabric looks just delicious! I was brainstorming so many things I might make with it! I think a fab pair of loose pants would be amazing (like by Elizabeth Suzann Florences…so good), as would a loose dolman top or a winter skirt. Love the blue!
So pretty! I’d make a day dress – something I could wear to the office all year long. Bundle it up with some tights and a cardigan for chilly days, and wear it by itself in the summer.
Love the dress and the fabric – a truly great “fabrication” or marriage of the two into one very versatile and wearable wardrobe basic. If I were to win the contest I would probably make a short spring jacket – in either the popular/trendy motorcycle style or barn style jacket. Wishing you a merry Christmas and happy New Year. All the best, Nancy
Fun! I would make Colette Patterns’ new Phoebe. Off to check out the Shutters and Shuttles website!
Gorgeous fabric and a lovely design that makes the fabric the star. I’d use it to make a vest, along with some hand embellishment–maybe sashiko…
Gorgeous fabric! I would love to make a skirt with it. Looks like the perfect weight for one with a little swing!
Wowza. I would curl up in a ball with that fabric and never move. A circle skirt would be the perfect blanket-for-my-legs wearable for comfy cozy office wear.
It positively SCREAMS comfy winter mermaid skirt or pencil skirt to me. That’s what I would do with it.
I love the texture of that fabric, and think it looks great as a tent dress! It’s hard to choose, but I think I’d make a pair of culottes (I’m obsessed with them at the moment!)
This is GORGEOUS! I think I’d make a skirt out of this fabric. But that blue Sway dress is pretty darned tempting, too!
The texture and colour of that fabric is so lovely. It looks like a hug. Can you make a hug? Hmmm. Maybe a spring jacket instead.
I’d totally copy you and make some kind of swing dress or tunic that I could throw over leggings. Or I suppose I could make something for the littles, but they’re likely to ruin it…so why waste good fabric on them!
Ooh!! If I was lucky enough to win, I would so be your twin!! You would even be taller than me ;). (Which sounds more exciting than it really is)
Oh that fabric has such a lovely texture and perfect color. I think I would make a shift dress out of it but I’d also be tempted to make a skirt. Either way it needs to be something simple so that the fabric is the focus.
Awesome !!! What great texture…..I may just want to fondle it….
This fabric is so gorgeous! I would make Phoebe dress by Colette and wear it with a long sleeve sweater/turtleneck underneath like you do with your Sway dress.
I’d make a city stroll or hollyburn skitt
Hmmmm… A wraparound dress? Considering its sergeability I might. Hmmmm… Can I think on it? Yes, it’s lovely…
Ouuu, I love the texture on that fabric. I like wearing blue a lot because my eyes are blue. I’d probably make it into a wiggle dress.
I love it! I’d make a flowing cardigan sweater… A cozy blanket sweater! I just went looking for fabric at the local shop last night and didn’t find any!
this is amazing! i’d use that fabric for something like a morris blazer, I think. or another nice casual jacket. maybe a structured shirt?
I have a pair of Italian linen pants that are falling apart that I would love to rub off and use this fabric. My second choice would be a lovely winter skirt!
Love it!
Love your dress. I would make the new phoebe pattern from colete.
I’d like to try and make a playsuit to pair with a scarf and woolly tights. I don’t really have any winter outfits that are cute for meeting friends for a mulled wine… I only have work stuff and slob stuff…
The way you have described her fabric makes me miss my fabric and also my yarn stores. That dress looks amazing on you.
What lovely fabric. I would make a Maria Wrap apron dress (by Maven Patterns on Etsy). It’s got a really cute Japanese look about it and would look fantastic in this lusciously textured fabric.
Love this outfit! I think the blue really fit the pattern!
So beautiful. Great texture! I’ll throw my entry in, and if I was to win I’d consider making a short jacket, but really one would have to feel and drape oneself in such a fabric first to be able to make a decision!
Awesome dress! Awesome fabric, I have too much boob to make a sway dress but it looks gorgeous on you!!! If I won this fabric I would make myself either a bomber jacker,vest or a circle skirt and with the leftovers I would try to make some sort of bag for myself. Size depending on the scraps I had left.
What beautiful fabric! I think I’d make a circle skirt (I have some cowboy boots that would look awesome with it) or maybe some pants. After seeing you make pants that didn’t only involve elastic waistbands, I’ve really gotten into making them and actually having them fit. Also, we’ve been looking into looms and it would be awesome to have some handwoven fabric. Thanks for the giveway!
Fab sway dress, girl!
You nailed for sure!
And that fabric looks yummy!
I would love some!!!
This look is very Twiggy of you!
My sensible side says an Oslo or kimono jacket or a cape of some kind would be great to make. However, if I actually had that fabric? My LARP-costumer side would ABSOLUTELY take over and turn it into hero pants. For reference, hero pants are only the best thing ever. Widelegged, dropped crotch-gusset optional, nothing but comfortable, and they look…well…heroic. Or awesome. Go on, send it to Ireland, I’ll send you pictures of what I do.
Your description and photos make me want to reach through the computer screen and feel it!!!! My first thought was “I could copy Sam’s Fabulous Cape!” Sam is a woman I work with that wore an incredible vintage cape that she found in a thrift store in Iowa!!!! And then, I would twirl through the streets of Encinitas in it. While I’d love to win, it makes me think of dressing along the same lines as eating food that you know who grew it. Does that make sense? I’d love to have fabric made by someone awesome in Nashville. 🙂
So I find out I won, and I gotta go back and look to remind myself what the fabric looks like and what I may make, and I realize that last week, my friend Sam lent me her AWESOME cape to see if I could copy it… And it just may come to fruition!! HEY NOW!!!!! Man, I just love how things work out in the world. 🙂 Signed, The Gyrl who never wins anything 🙂
I would make something really similar to your dress, although i’m intrigued by this hooded cape idea going around.
Lovely dress and lovely fabric. I would make a skirt from it.
Love this fabric. It is so beautiful. I would use it to make either a jacket for myself, or maybe a pair of pants out of my new Japanese Sewing Book that I just got.
Thanks for the giveaway! Hate to be boring but I would probably make a dress suspiciously similar to the one you’ve made. Or else maybe I could eke out a pencil skirt and cropped jacket from 1.5 yards?
I love the colour! I would make either a Hollyburn skirt or V7975 jacket view C. Thanks!
The dress looks soooo good on you! I think If I would win your giveaway I would try to make the same one – although it probably won’t look as cute on me than it does on you. Love the scarf as well, but maybe wearing the two pieces together is a little too much 😉
How inspirational! I have a little floor loom, which wouldn’t make fabric this wide, but now I’m all psyched up to make some fabric! Beautiful job on the dress. A perfect winter staple.
I LOVE the color and the texture! I think this would make a nice, basic spring jacket. I might even do Hong Kong seams, oooh!
Can I just make the same thing you did??? Or a lovely shift dress.
Congrats! It’s gorgeous!
So amazing to have local yardarge weavers, this fabric is stunning. I’d make a 30s-style cropped batwing sleeve jacket with a high collar, the old ones are usually tweeds or wools with a lot of texture, but it would be much more modern to have it so bright and in a soft cotton!
I would make a hollyburn skirt. And since I’ve moved to the US for college and left my machine at home, I would use this as an excuse to buy the machine I have my eye on.
p.s. you’re so cool.
I would make a really awesome skirt.
Beautiful! I might use the yardage to make the skirt of Cashmerette’s new Washington dress. I also weave a little and your scout tee was a complete inspiration for me!
I would make a cape!
Honestly no idea what I’d make – but that fabric is terrific! Love the dress!
I love the fabric. The texture really adds so much character to the dress.
Oh I love that fabric. Especially the texture. I’d want to make something touchable, it looks like it’s calling out to be stroked. So probably not a garment, because that would be weird. A couple of throw pillows. Or it could just have the fate of other favourite pieces of fabric. Which is to be taken out of the box and stroked while I dream about what I’ll see with it.
I would like to enter. I’m not sure what I would make. Maybe a sway dress like yours. I have twin 3-month-old twin grandchildren so maybe with the scraps, I’ll make a stuffed animal. I sure do love your blog. Thanks for your inspiration.
I didn’t mean to be anonymous. I’ll fill in the information now.
I love it! I would use it to make a tunic for work. something so I am staying trendy in my art classroom and can use the fact that it is handmade to inspire my students! Love the color blue too.
That fabric looks amazing. I think you’ve inspired me to make a dress.
That fabric is fantastic! Your dress really shows it off. Do you think it would work for a Rigel bomber jacket? I’ve been wanting to make one, and I love the idea of a textured fabric to dress it up. Thanks!
that magic fabric is dreamy, pure and simple. the saturation and depth of color accentuated by the nubby slubs make my eyebrains ‘splode with joy!
making up that tent dress with it was an inspired decision: it’s perfect!
if i were lucky enough to handle some myself i’d either take a similar route to tent town or perhaps head to pinafore village – i recently drafted my own pinafore pattern with a snap placket from neckline to hem… that blue might look lovely with brassy snaps!
thanks for sharing your treasure – that’s incredibly sweet and generous!
Gorgeous! A little cropped swingy jacket I think!
Oh man, that fabric is just dreamy! I think it’d be perfect for warm loungey pants that you could actually wear out of the house without feeling like a total slob. With gigantic pockets. Just because.
I would make an unstructured jacket out of this lovely fabric.
Your styling here is on point! I love me some slubby fabric. I’d probably use this to make a Tessuti Ruby Dress. Perfectly tent-like.
A cropped pullover (Ondee?) or an a-line skirt (Hollyburn perhaps) seem well suited to this fabric. A part of me also wants sashiko stitching.
That’s my color! It looks like it wants to be a jacket, but I think I’d probably make it into a skirt. It’s fantastic!
I think I would do a pretty winter dress. I’m not sure which pattern yet thoguh.
It looks so snuggly, it’s gorgeous fabric! I’m thinking along the lines of a winter dress such as Collette’s new Phoebe dress, or just as a simple flared skirt with some pockets!
What a generous giveaway! I’m terrible when it comes to deciding what to make…I often drape my dress form for inspiration. Having said that, I’m thinking a winter dress would be lovely!
I would defiantly make a high -waisted skirt of some sort (as soon as my pregnancy belly sinks back down). Not sure how fitted I’d make it but high -waisted for sure. I lovely white tailored shirt for work or a nice sleek top would be lovely with it to show off the texture of the fabric.
I’d love to make a simple skirt with fabric like this. Your dress is gorgeous!
Wow, that fabric is so beautiful! I love your dress and might have to copy that ;). Thanks so much for the giveaway!
I love the look of the fabric—so textured and nubby! I would want to make a pencil skirt out of it.
Everything about this look is perfect. I can’t even look at this post without burning up with jealousy. So amazing!
That fabric looks great to make a casual jacket
I’d make some kind of winter skirt — Hollyburn, or a pencil skirt. So cozy!
I love this dress and fabric! I ‘d love to make a warm dress to wear in South African winter!
What gorgeous fabric! I think I would make a vest out of it and bind the edges with a contrast.
what gorgeous gorgeous fabric! I’m torn between using it for a hollyburn and a cute cropped jacket (or maybe something along the lines of a Morris) that I could wear with EVERYTHING.
This is a beautiful dress, which is perfect for showing off that amazing fabric. The texture looks divine! I would make an Inari tee dress, but first is probably just pet the fabric for a while.
Your dress is perfect and that fabric is too lovely. Thank-you for the giveaway it’s a treasure.
I would make a dress with Colette’s new Phoebe pattern.
It’s lovely fabric! I’d love to make some comfy pants out of it!
What stunning fabric – in my favourite colour! It would make a fabulous Colette Phoebe.
Super awesome fabric! I bet it’d make a fantastic blazer 🙂
feecckkk yes! I want some! you’re outfit is so freaking awesome I may even just copy the entire thing! To be honest I’m not actually sure how much a yard is, and I can’t be bothered to google it right now (so lazy, just writing that I was like “seriously!?”), but I have the sway pattern and love it, so I might go with that…or maybe a simply t-shirt dress. argh. so lovely!
Lovely fabric! I think I would make a short jacket.
Your close-up picture made me instantly think that it would make a lovely circle skirt, so that’s probably what I’d do with it. 🙂 It’s gorgeous! Thank you for this giveaway.
I would love to make a dress for my little girl out of this gorgeous fabric!
Such a beautiful piece of fabric! I might make a simple dress, or a skirt.
I would make a Central-Asian-style short housedress that I can wear with pants when we go to visit my in-laws.