Dear Bela

I lived in Cairns for a bit and still have a wonderful friend up there by the name of Kylee (the one with OCYS). From time to time she asks me questions about fabric choice, patterns and general sewing stuff. Here is one of her questions that might help others too.

Kylee: "I have a Burda pattern and it calls for 'softly draping fabrics - viscose crepe' - the picture actually looks like satin. I love cotton voile and the pretty colours but would it be too stiff.

Cotton voile is on special at her local fabric store too and Cairns is a bit limited for dress fabric supplier choice.

Bela: "I love cotton voile too, but alas it is probably not your best choice. Look for a rayon (some good quality ones are rayon crepe) It will fall and drape lovely, or you could use a knit jersey or soft, light satin finish fabric".

Kylee thought this might be the case. "How can you tell?"

Bela: " Hold the fabric up, a corner in each hand. Bring your hands closer together and watch your fabric fall/drape in the middle".

The cotton voile - yellow paisley print below doesn't drape so well as it is a little more starchy and points when you try to drape it, while the rayon - red spot print falls with no pointy sticky out bits. Lovely.

Ask Bela a question! email belacigana@outlook.com

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