Choosing the Right Fabric for Your Dress
There is such a bewildering array of fabrics available now that choosing the ones that are right for your dress can be quite a challenge. These tips will help you to make a decision and we are happy to discuss the various options with you in detail when you order from us.
The first thing to note is that flimsy fabrics are not really suitable for Irish dance dresses. The dresses, though beautiful, are not purely decorative items, they are worked hard and must be able to stand up to wear. Also a custom made dress is quite an investment and, especially if the dancer is young and still growing, you want it to have some resale value.
What sort of Fabric?
While velvet and gaberdine were once pretty much the only choice for Irish dancing dresses, and are used still, but you have a much wider range of options nowadays. Silks, taffetas and satins, sequined material and patterned fabics, even flourestent fabric are now commonly used.
Start by experimenting with fabrics, placing samples together to see what works and what doesn’t. As a general rule, if using more than one type of fabric, they should be of similar weight.
When using patterned fabric choose just one patterned fabric and match it with a plain fabric in a complimentary colour. Well chosen patterned fabrics can give a striking look and combination, but overuse of pattern results in a look which is confusing and overpowering.
Our Fabrics
We buy our fabric from Threads of Green , a Kilkenny based supplier with a massive and high quality stock of different styles, materials and colours. Please feel free to have a look around their website and let us know if you find something you particularly like.