What you see above is my entire stash of silk fabric. Well, aside from the remnants from my Delancey Dress, that is. It may strike you as surprising that a Selfish fabric glutton like me has only one piece of silk in her possession, but as far as I am concerned, filmy, floofy, fancy, slippery, temperamental fabric just takes up space that that could otherwise be occupied by my beloved, well-behaved, practical wool suitings and cotton poplins. (Ok, I just remembered that I have some cotton and silk blend poplin. But it’s all business.)
This blouse weight piece of frivolity sneaked into my stash during a moment of weakness while I was strolling through the aisles at Vogue. When it comes to silks, Vogue is all about gorgeous quality for polyester prices, and somehow this one caught my eye like a puppy at a shelter who desperately wants to come home with you. And then you take it home and realize that you have a whole shelf full of puppies stacked up to the ceiling and didn’t you just swear last month that you would NOT TAKE HOME ANY MORE PUPPIES UNTIL YOU USED UP THE PUPPIES YOU ALREADY HAVE? Wow, that metaphor fell apart quickly.
Anyway, I think it was something about that sophisticated Banana Republic-esque color palette of tan, rust, and grape soda purple on the creamy ground that made me forget that drapey silk and geometric prints aren’t really my thing. The thing is, despite my commitment to boring solids, and a recent lively comment debate about the merits and disadvantages of prints, I don’t actually dislike prints. I just don’t find many that suit me and most of my ideas are solids, stripes, or plaids. I have made the occasional floral garment, and they tend not to see much wear.
But now I have this print, and it’s been sitting in my stash for some months, so I’m considering using it for one of these (Burda 119 blouse from 2.2008):
The weight of the fabric seems like it would work well with the pattern, and I could see a print blouse like this pairing reasonably with the more tailored and practical items in my wardrobe. But I’m still feeling kind of funny about that print- will it make me look like I’ve broken out into some crazy pox?
Because I could always put this back on the shelf and use it as jacket lining at some point in the future. Talk me down if I’m about to do something stupid.
The Selfish Seamstress 
46 comments
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January 19, 2010 at 2:29 pm
Rachel
I think it will look great for that top pattern.
January 19, 2010 at 2:41 pm
Brooke
No to a jacket lining, it is way too pretty to be hidden. And I think that pattern works well for the fabric. I see why it forced you to take it home, it is gorgeous.
January 19, 2010 at 2:41 pm
Elizabeth
I agree with Rachel. You’ll look beautiful in that print and it coordinates well with everything else you’ve made.
January 19, 2010 at 2:44 pm
Trudy Callan
I think that would be perfect. Go for it.
January 19, 2010 at 2:47 pm
amber
Another vote for making that top. I think it will look great in that fabric and agree that it will pair well with tailored skirts and slacks.
January 19, 2010 at 2:49 pm
Erin
Considering your penchant for solids and neutrals, I don’t know if you’d really wear that top, at least not on its own (feel free to kick me if you think I’m totally guessing wrong here). I wonder if you might be better off using the fabric on a top that would look good under a blazer or a cardigan, so you could still show off that awesome print but without making it center stage. And maybe doing a pattern that has more details like darts or pintucks or sophisticated ruffles (because we all know how much fun those are to make in silk) so it would help break up the polka dots.
On the other hand, the more I look at that top, the more I like it…
January 19, 2010 at 2:50 pm
Christie
It would look great as a top peeking out from under a jacket- NOT as a lining.
January 19, 2010 at 2:59 pm
Jessica
I’ve actually made this blouse pattern and love it – would definitely recommend it (and plan to use it again), especially for showing off a pattern like this. It’s sleeveless, easy to make, and pretty simple, so the details won’t overwhelm. I think your patterned silk would work beautifully for it. It will look amazing with your tailored trousers. And I wear my blouse under a v-neck cardigan all the time, so it works for that, too.
January 19, 2010 at 3:03 pm
ChristineB
The fabric is perfect.
Now, please stop torturing me.
Just make the damn blouse.
:-)
January 19, 2010 at 3:05 pm
sueanfang
Gorgeous. Just do it!
January 19, 2010 at 3:06 pm
Lily
I’m going to say something controversial here… I think you should use it as a lining! I often use cool prints as linings and it looks really great when you have a coat or a jacket in a drab colour and exciting lining.
January 19, 2010 at 3:09 pm
Michelle
Love the fabric and the pattern choice. I think they would pair well. Go for it. Show no fear.
January 19, 2010 at 3:11 pm
beangirl
What you have to ask yourself now is… “Do you feel luck—” No wait. That wasn’t it.
What you have to ask yourself is “Will I wear this with my suits? Will I wear this with a pair of tailored pants?”
If the answer is “Yes. Yes I will.” then I say go for it, because that’s a way cute top and a beautiful fabric. But if the answer is “Maaayyyybeee…. ” or “Hell, no.” then I think you have trouble. Then stash it aside for a while and see what happens. I wouldn’t waste it on a lining though.
January 19, 2010 at 3:12 pm
beangirl
That joke would have been funnier if I’d actually quoted it right. No really. It would have.
January 19, 2010 at 3:35 pm
Catherine
I’m going to go against the flow here and say that I actually do avoid any fabric that resembles the pox. Especially crazy pox. Or any skin lesion at all really…
It IS beautiful though, and I think yes to a jacket lining… especially if it’s a light jacket you will definitely be taking off in the spring or summer, and perhaps laying over a chair so that everyone can see the gorgeous lining on the inside…
Or maybe something else kicky that will show it off… but yeah, I tend to go for fabrics that are, for want of a better phrase, dermatologically sound.
January 19, 2010 at 3:56 pm
Cindy
I’m going to be contrarian here. You seem to be a “winter” (see the book Color Me Beautiful) although you don’t fully adhere to that color palette. Winters look smashing in black, grey, navy, cobalt blue, pure red, emerald, royal purple, aqua, fuchsia — pure, suffused gem tones — but no oranges or browns. Plus white. Not bone or ecru, or any white shaded down with yellow, browns, greys, tans, etc. but whitey white white. Off-white makes the face of a winter woman look sallow, while pure white makes it pop. This fabric’s background seems to be off-white, plus there is the issue of the brown. So I would suggest that perhaps it isn’t the best choice for a garment right up against the face, even though it is otherwise a very visually interesting design.
To test this theory, Color Me Beautiful has you do a simple exercise. Go into your closet and divide your clothing into two sections. The stuff you wear ALL the time and really love on the right, and the rest, no matter how expensive or well-made, on the left. Presto – your color palate is on the right. So are all your happy colors.
January 19, 2010 at 4:11 pm
Faye Lewis
I think that puppy would be lovely made into that blouse.
January 19, 2010 at 4:13 pm
Kristine
1. What are you waiting for, it’s perfect!!!
2. Love that pattern, have that issue, thanks for adding it to my “to do” list!
January 19, 2010 at 4:28 pm
Handmade
Use that puppy! You’ve chosen the perfect pattern – trust your instincts – you chose it because it was sophisticated – and IT IS!
January 19, 2010 at 6:37 pm
nancy K
Nope, not stupid, perfect for you. The pattern and fabric are a good match.
January 19, 2010 at 7:36 pm
digs
Seriously, if you’re really dithering about what to do with this fabric, why not make a test scarf that’s at least slightly larger than the piece needed for the collar of the top? Stitch it up into a closed rectangle, or a loop, or a Moebius (aka infinity aka half-twist) loop, and wear that for a while – just to see if you like it next to your face. Afterwards – who knows? you’ll update us.
January 19, 2010 at 7:37 pm
Dei
Hey, if you’re not going to use, give it to me. It’ll fit right in with plenty of brothers and sisters jewels carefully housed on my shelves. I promise, I’ll provide a loving home. :)
Great prints need support, owners who cherish their mercurial value. Should you decide to continue to provide respite for said fabric, it’d look fab with one of your staples…I hate to confess. Ugh, being honest kills me.
January 19, 2010 at 7:54 pm
Julie
That blouse in the “crazy pox” fabric would look smashing on you. And you can layer “boring solids” on top of it.
January 19, 2010 at 8:37 pm
arnysews
To quote you “If it’s not something I would want if I saw it hanging somewhere, then it’s not worth sewing to me.” I think you have your answer :)
January 19, 2010 at 8:47 pm
Karen
It’s a cute puppy – too cute to leave on the shelf with all the others. Wear that puppy!
January 19, 2010 at 9:03 pm
rita
The fabric and the pattern go together!
If you don’t want the fabric, I’ll buy it from you and whip up that top :)
Well, not really “whip” as much as “struggle”
January 19, 2010 at 9:22 pm
heyvix
I like the print, but I also have doubts about the colors being flattering. Plus doubts about the scale being too large for you, since the print’s not a blended one. [The example print might be better on both counts.]
I don’t even think you need to sew a scarf up to test…I find if I just wrap the fabric around me and step back a good 10 feet from the mirror I can tell if I’m wearing a print or it’s wearing me. Somewhat surprisingly, I can usually tell if the colorways are flattering from there, too.
January 20, 2010 at 9:15 am
Rina
I vote with ‘heyvix’ on this one. The example print seems smaller in scale and more linear. I also agree with her suggestion of wrapping the fabric around you to envision what the blouse would look like.
January 19, 2010 at 11:52 pm
lin3arossa
I like the print, and I think it’d look nice sew up in that shirt BUT I’m not sure it’d suit you. Heyvix’s idea sounds good to find it out.
January 20, 2010 at 1:03 am
Noelle
DO IT! If you hate it, sell it on eBay…. I’m sure your readers would bid on it, and you could donate the money to Haiti…
January 20, 2010 at 4:07 am
senaSews
I’m like you with prints. Maybe it’s a matter of size. The prints i like don’t suit me (big florals) and the others are usually just not my taste. Your fabric looks great though and shouldn’t be “wasted” as a lining. I think it will match with this pattern! You should give it a try!
January 20, 2010 at 4:28 am
Sar's
Nice top pattern, nice fabric but it is a no from me. I would use it as a jacket lining or as a flirty bias cut skirt. I just don’t wear that sort of fabric as a top.
If you want to thoroughly assess the fabric you need to assess it on the vertical plane not the horizontal plane and stand a couple of metres back from it. If you do this, different patterns and colours will jump out at you compared to looking at the fabric lying flat on a table. This was the way we were taught to assess fabric for designs.
January 20, 2010 at 4:33 am
Miss-g
I love, love this blouse pattern and the fabric weight would be perfect. However, as you are a petite munchkin size, I think this print could be overpowering on you and the colours are not particularly flattering for you either. Harsh words, I know. Just trying to save you wasting valuable sewing time.
January 20, 2010 at 7:21 am
Laura Georgina
Make the blouse! You’ll wear it, rock it, and love it. Plus, it would drive me crazy with jealousy to know that the gorgeous fabric has become a lining….
January 20, 2010 at 8:42 am
Sara
This is a great thread and I love the suggestions from people who want you to consider it further. I vote with them.
Kicky bias skirt! Or try a scarf first! Or wrap it around you and stand away from the mirror and visualize! Or awesome jacket lining! All great suggestions. I don’t see The Selfish Seamstress being happy whipping up a shirt in a print she’s on the fence about — too high a chance that it will be a waste of wardrobe space and sewing effort.
Thanks for sparking such an interesting discussion on the topic.
January 20, 2010 at 9:42 am
Susan - Knitters Delight
That Burda top screams “make me” and in the yummy silk stash fabric, for sure! I think that you could make a fabulous neutral colored jacket to match the top. Maybe you’ll have enough stash fabric left over to thrown in a scrap or two of the fabric to line the coordinating jacket pockets. I know – I’m going down a sewing fantasy path now, but you get the idea. lol
January 20, 2010 at 10:08 am
Angela
Ooo.. that fabric would look lovely as that Burda top! You should totally make it. :)
January 20, 2010 at 10:11 am
Len
I’m a sucker for prints – mostly floral – so much so, in fact, that I was inspired by you to attempt a version of a more neutral tone dress from Modcloth, but couldn’t resist doing the lining in some left-over floral fabric!
I think the blouse would look great with a skirt of your normal style – in fact, I’m wishing I actually subscribed to Burda so that I would have that pattern, because it’s really quite lovely and a perfect way to use up your… er… puppy… though I admit, it would make a wonderful lining!
January 20, 2010 at 11:29 am
thisjill
I think this fabric will look best in a style with lots of gathers and/or pleats so the finished garment doesn’t scream polka dots and really just becomes a more abstract flow of cool colors. Also I think it will look best as part of a larger outfit involving a jacket. It sounds like that’s your plan, but I don’t know if the pattern you chose is drapey enough. Only you can know for sure….
January 20, 2010 at 5:56 pm
Hillary
[do] NOT TAKE HOME ANY MORE PUPPIES UNTIL YOU USED UP THE PUPPIES YOU ALREADY HAVE
sweet jebus, most hilariously perfect-for-me motto ever. If I could take the time away from sewing I’d embroider that on something. I saw the fedex tracking info for the package on the way from the FFC sale I lost my mind at, and I’ve got over 11 more lbs of fabric en route. 11 lbs. That’s like the whole litter and the er- lady dog they rode in on. No. More. Puppies.
And p.s. I like that silk with the Burda blouse and hope you make it!
January 20, 2010 at 11:45 pm
Pamela D
I love the pattern and it looks simple to construct in slippery silk. Does it have buttonholes or loops? Easier with loops. Use fusible tricot or silk organza if interfacing is called for. You could make the blouse and do what the designer Milly does and use a small bit of the print as a sort of back yoke (where the label goes) of a jacket lining. I’ve been wanting to try that. Or a scarf with a bit of jacket lining, if you decide against the color for you.
Hillary, I have bought the whole puppy pound. I am ashamed to admit the number on the UPS scale.
January 21, 2010 at 2:45 am
Marie-Christine
Oh come on, polka dots are totally in the same bag as stripes and plaid in terms of pattern. And this is just -interesting- polka dots. That slightly-60s blouse is perfect for it. And silk goes very nicely with wool. Stop fretting..
January 21, 2010 at 3:45 pm
Sue
Hi
Have recently discovered your blog, and read back through the archive. Love the sewing, love the humour even more.
The silk looks good – not all prints are created equal. This one is not a print in the same genre as patchwork. Even when one wears mainly solid colours, contrast can be really effective (be it a print or a texture). If you have a solid that picks up one of the colours in the fabric, that would be a wonderful highlight. And if you rarely wear prints, it will create a bit of a surprise. Which is always fun.
As to pattern, I liked the Burda pattern, which would work nicely for a soft silk.
Can’t wait to see what you do with it, and keep up the excellent blog!!
January 21, 2010 at 8:34 pm
Jeanne B.
By all means, make it! I think it’ll make a gorgeous blouse.
January 22, 2010 at 6:10 pm
The Cruel Countess
Ditto the concerns about the colors working for your skin/hair tones. I’m also worried about the scale of the dots against your petite frame. That is a quarter placed against the print for scale, yes? Not a nickel?
January 24, 2010 at 1:39 pm
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