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Fabric: Aaarrgghhh!

I bought several yards of this:

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Intending to make a top to go with a teal linen jacket, and perhaps if the fabric was light enough, line the jacket with the plaid. It arrived, gorgeous colors, interesting print! However, I straightened the ends, and lost better than 6" each end. Not an issue, I thought, I bought lots. BUT, it is PRINTED off-grain. The black stripes wander up/downhill six inches from side-to-side. That is not going to work for a blouse, I refuse to cut that far off grain. I might fudge a little on a poorly printed fabric, but not six inches.

So I'm thinking, since I cannot cut the blouse on the straight-of-grain (the stripes would wander up/downhill), and I'm not about to cut it off-grain, maybe bias would work. Looking at:

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I know it says, "Unsuitable for obvious diagonals, plaids or stripes." but since the only other choice is to toss the whole piece...

Or suppose I could just cut a plain jewel-neck top on the bias, but I'm leery about how much to add side-to-side to adjust for the verticle "grow".

What do you folks think???

Reply to
BEI Design
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HMmmmm. I love the fabric. I would do it on the bias. Not quite understanding what you mean about 'vertical grow' but guess it's sort of like hanging a circular skirt for a few days to see what happens before attempting a level hem. ?? Polly

Reply to
Polly Esther

I loved the fabric too!

When the bias sags (vertically), it also narrows the piece down horizontally. I am not sure how to alter non-bias pattern to allow for the extra width needed to accommodate the reduction when the bias sags. I did read a good article here:

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It recommends adding 1.5" seam allowances **in addition** to 1 to

1.5 inches of extra ease. I'm thinking if I mark (on the bias) the width I need for a bodice, then hang the fabric for a couple of days to allow the vertical stretch and measure how much the horizontal measurement decreased, I might just be able to guesstimate an alteration.

Or, I'll buy a bias-cut pattern... :-}

Reply to
BEI Design

Reply to
Polly Esther

I think I hate this kind of dilemma. I've had many like it myself. That's why I've got so many tablecloths and placemats and pillow covers made of pretty fabric that had some quirk.

Reply to
Pogonip

Yeah, this is way too nice for any of those uses. :-} I'm making some alterations to an old (I knew there was a reason I never throw patterns away) Vogue pattern:

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I'm thinking View A but with elbow sleeves, facing for the neck edge, and cut on the bias. No attempt to match the print pattern on this one.

However that is drafted for knit, so maybe this Butterick:

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would be sized a little better for woven. Hmmm....

Reply to
BEI Design

What? You don't have enough of a headache as it is? Now you're going to try to use a pattern for knit fabric for your woven fabric? Have you had this martyr complex long? :-P

Reply to
Pogonip

About 70 years, give or take...

And I found a better pattern option for woven:

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Closer fit, and no off-the-shoulder armscye which I loath. Not sure, but I think TSWLTH is having a $ .99 pattern sale right now.

Reply to
BEI Design

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