Fortuny Forever

Mariano Fortuny was a Spanish fashion designer that became famous in the early 1900's for his classic pleating techniques. This look has been cycled back through fashion multiple times since then and will forever remain a classic look. This is an image of one of his most famous tea gown designs: 

(all images can be enlarged by clicking on the image)

Another fashion designer known for this look is Mary McFadden. She is pictured here at an awards ceremony wearing one of her couture creations:

This "Fortuny" fabric is wonderful to work with! It is easy to sew, easy to care for, the pleats will never come out, and it does not ravel. (Talk about a dream fabric!) Here are a handful of the colors and textures that are currently available @ Fabrique! We have shiny, dull, metallic and semi-sheer. All of the Fortuny-like fabrics that we carry are 100% Polyester (wash and wear!). The prices range from $18/yd to $27/yd.

Check out these amazing contemporary designs using "Fortuny" pleated fabrics.

DRESSMAKER HIGHLIGHT:

Melanie Fredrickson

Fortuny-style bridesmaid dresses!
 

Pocket Love

Pockets are such a fun, functional addition to any garment! Some pockets are in-your-face as the focus of the garment and some pockets you don't even realize are there until you try it on! Pockets are becoming a huge trend in weddings, t-shirts, dresses and even swimwear! There are so many easy ways to embellish a pocket without it becoming too "crafty". At times, sewing pockets can be somewhat intimidating. There are several tools to help sewers create the perfect pocket. Some of these include: the pocket maker, bamboo stiletto, and a pocket template. In the shirt making class, the patch pocket is demonstrated and practiced. This post is to encourage you to think outside the box. What could you do to a pocket to make it different? Here are some great images to start your pocket tangent! (click on the image for a larger view)

These images are pulled from several different inspirational websites and blogs: The Sartorialist, Garance Dore, Oh Joy!, LissaAnglinPhotography, Bleubird Vintage, ModCloth, Anthropologie

REMNANT CHALLENGE WINNERS!

WOW! We had so many great entries! Thanks to everyone who participated. It was so fun seeing everything! Here are the winners- click on the image or stop by the store to see a closer look :)

3rd Place Winners

Roberta Kirby

Remnants: Black Polyester Crepe and Hand-painted Silk Charmeuse

 Caroline Mock

Remnant: Black Bamboo Voile

Cassandra Bayless

Remnants: Grey Glen Plaid Wool and Navy Wool

 

Erika Schnurr

Remnant: White and Purple Italian Cotton

Janet Eskridge

Remnant: Hand-painted Horses on Pink Silk Matka

2nd Place Winners

Margi Hall

Remnant: Metallic Silk Print

 Natalia Chuprakora

Remnant: Seersucker Plaid

First Place Winner

Jennifer Thompson

Remnant: Pink Ultrasuede 

ENTIRE DESIGN HAND CUT!

3 Jackets, 1 Pattern!

With one pattern: Vogue #8673 Melanie Fredrickson has created 3 totally unique jackets!

"Salt & Pepper" A black and white satin evening jacket.

 

This jacket features a sharp contrast of white in the asymmetrical collar and exaggerated cuffs with black jeweled buttons.

The back of the jacket entices the eye with a black metallic dot in the center panel, and side panels of white satin overlay-ed with black dotted mesh. The yoke features a white knit splashed with silver dots and lines overlay-ed with a sheer panel of black mesh embellished with soutash trim.

The left front is white stretch satin which has been pin-tucked and then overlay-ed with black silk organza and edged with a beaded and

stone trim. The final flourish is a large black zipper flower hiding the snap closure underneath.

"City Scape's" A wearable art jacket in wool.

The City Scape jacket is constructed with a double faced wool in colors of chocolate brown and thistle.

Skyscrapers are made with strips of silk dupioni embellished with free motion stitching in dark brown rayon

thread. Each buildings is inserted between the two layers of wool with decorative stitching around each side.

Buildings are 'lighted' with swarovski crystals. The lining inside the jacket is a wonderful silk named Shabby Chic that picks up

all the colors in the jacket. This jacket was made with long sleeves. Collar and cuffs are embellished with the selvage edge

of the fabric and horizontal strips of silk dupioni.

"Plum Delicious" Plum and gold brocade jacket.

This lovely jacket is the same pattern without the collar and has 3/4 length sleeves.

A simple pattern featuring a beautifully designed brocade fabric. The back of the brocade

is fused with feather fuse and then underlined with silk organza. This give the jacket body,

crisp seams and sharp points and edges. The fabric was laided out to have the feature design

in center back first a a focal point, then matching each front and side pieces as close as possible to carry the

design through the jacket and sleeves. Five black and bronze toned buttons are placed close together

on the diagonal jacket front. Lined with black Bemberg rayon.

Indian Inspriation

There are so many cool interpretations of Indian saris. All saris have blocks of designs embroidered, stamped or painted onto woven fabrics. This will allow you to turn pattern pieces cross-grain in order to play with the design placement for a garment. We currently have 8 different saris ranging from $90-$135. Each sari ranges in length from 4.5-6 yds and are sold as entire pieces.

 

Using sari fabric instantly creates a one of a kind outfit. You can dress it up or dress it down! Finding the perfect pattern for these amazing pieces are essential. Keeping the garment simple will allow the design of the sari to shine! Adding trims and combining the sari fabric with other fabrics will create an over the top look for a wearable art piece! Sewing Workshop patterns would be an interesting option for some of these amazing pieces... the creative possibilities are ENDLESS!