A friend of mine is going to create a formal skirt from taffeta, and wondered if a gored skirt would work, in terms of drape. The pattern she first wanted to use was pleated at the waist but I suggested it might be bulky and a gored skirt would be more flattering. Shes concerned it wont be as flared and bell like. Would you share your opinions please? Im not all that familiar with working with taffeta, I just know its a stiffer type fabric. Thank you Diana
Well the main reason I would not do a gored skirt from taffeta is because it is also a fragile fabric usually. A gored skirt normally fits pretty close to the body through the hips. I don't think a taffeta would take the stress there well. You would most likely get seam slippage. (where the ditch of the seam opens out and you can see the stitches.) Once that happens, the fabric will tear along the seam easily.
Also, when choosing fabric for a gored skirt, you need to think of fabric that will drape softly. A gored skirt is a design with soft lines, gentle curves that flatter the body. When you have something with soft lines, you don't want to use a stiff fabric. It never really looks right.
So you need fullness for the taffeta so that it doesn't split open the first time you sit down. And you need fairly simple, straight lines to go with. That's why most of the RTW taffeta skirts are more of a bell shape. Think ballgown. If that's not what she's going for, she needs to think of another type of fabric.
SHe might also want to take a good look at her body shape. I was fairly curvy when I made my ballgown style skirt, and wore it with a nice fitted blouse. It was also made of plaid taffeta (yes, plaid matched), but a lovely plaid it was. I wore it to DHs company CHrismtas party and they were taking couple pictures as that year's presents from the company to the employees. I thought I looked great, but when we got the pictures, I was pretty much the same width all the way down from my shoulders to the ankles.
Just thought I would offer that little tidbit....nice to see you here as well as rctq
Princess line in a dark colour with piping in the seams and something interesting going on in the centre panel. The seams and the piping draw the eye up and down, and the eye is drawn to the interesting centre panel and skips the boring sides.
Works for me :-) in dark chocolate satin-back crepe, crepe side out in the side panels and satin side out in the centre. Piping is a mid-coffee colour.
EXCELLENT suggestion....I was thinking princess line as well, but hadn't htought about the piping or using opposite sides of fabric....have done this with a skirt, but had forgotten all about it
The dress sounds beautiful, Sally. This brings back memories of an aunt who often switched sides of fabric for interesting contrast. Now I know what I want to make myself for my 74th birthday next week-if only I can find the time. Thanks. Emily
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