Vogue Fabrics By Mail Subscription

Usually Tuesdays I feature a book or fashion on film, and I decided my latest Vogue Fabrics swatch catalog is kind of like a book, so here goes. There are several swatch clubs out there, and this one is a good value as you can get a year for $30 and you get 6 issues, the 4 seasons and then two transition catalogs. This issue had over 40 swatches all coordinated with several other fabrics. You staple or glue them in yourself.

The benefits are many: you get to see and handle the fabrics and can even try washing them if you like. The garment sketches give you and idea of the size of the fabric print when worn while the background printings gives you the actual size. Since swatches are small, the background printings and sketches allow you to see what colors dominate. And you know if a print matches a solid. All essential to making wise choices. These fabrics are a good value, running towards cottons, rayons, blends of both, plus synthetics in this issue, ranging from $5.99 to $14.99. Plus patterns, often from independent designers, are featured in the sketches as well, and they range from party looks to work wear and play wear, also giving you an idea of what fabrics could serve what purpose.

As a subscriber you get first access including some lower prices, plus thread and lining matching services at a discount on prices. You can buy a trial issue of you like.

The Big Blooms Print Dress: Choosing the Pattern(s)

Where does an idea start? Sometimes it starts with a fabric. You see the polyester satin fabric which I bought for no reason particular project. I simply loved the exuberance of the print. True, it is poly, not my favorite fiber, but the colors charmed me.

Then, I got word of a family wedding coming up for this spring, so I took a look at the fabrics I had on hand. Big Blooms, as I have dubbed it, seemed perfect. It is a happy print that says celebration and springtime. What pattern? I settled on Butterick 6582, with the wide, flared skirt, perfect for dancing at a wedding.

Now, what to wear with it? A wrap of some kind? And then it hit me, use one of the embroidered silk organzas that I had also bought with no project in mind. I have two of them. One is a deep red. The other pale orange with peach embroidery; originally it was all peach, but was too close to my skin color to look anything but weird. So I popped it into the washing machine with some Rit Dye and the fabric became orange while the polyester thread stayed the peach. 

I put the 3 fabrics up against each other and it was clear the pale orange was the wrong color. Then I layered the red organza over the print as you see. An intriguing, swirling floral resulted. I was thinking of a sheer over-dress, a look from the 1950s that has fallen out of our style vocabulary, but which offers limitless color combinations. The re-issued Simplicity 8252 shows you one.

And so the idea grew for a dress in the print worn with the overdress for a quieter look for the wedding ceremony. Without the overdress, I will have a brighter dress for the reception and dancing afterward.

Neither of these patterns is still in print, but check the web and you should find plenty of them.