Hawaiian sarong dress opinions

[KittyT]

Well, Snookie had her own thread to solicit opinions for a sewing project. I wasn't sure if I should post this in the Sewing Lessons or Show Us What You Made threads.... Maybe we need a new thread for soliciting opinions!

Anyway, I need some help selecting a fabric for a dress I have planned! I will be making this dress, which most of you have seen before:

Now this is the fabric I really want, or the fabric that is my inspiration:

I have been madly seeking a brown Hawaiian print and haven't come across anything I'm completely in love with (well I have, but it's $65/yard - Samoan fabric, hand printed with wood blocks, available in dark brown):

But there are a few that I like enough to wear. Please let me know what you think looks the most period/style accurate and will have the best result with this pattern. I do not really have enough sewing experience yet to be able to tell what's going to yield the best-looking final result.

Both of these prints are 100% cotton, larger flowers measure roughly 5"

Cotton/poly, which I prefer because it will avoid wrinkles. Also very inexpensive ($3/yd!). Hard to tell if the print is too big to look good, though. Picture shown is full 45" width of fabric.

100% cotton

 

[Miss Neecerie]

I like the last one the best...it conveys the same feeling as the brown dream fabric...

 

[KittyT]

I like the last one the best...it conveys the same feeling as the brown dream fabric...

Thank you, Miss Neecerie. Can you tell me if this fabric is going to require lining up the stripes of the print? That's another one of my concerns. I already know this dress is going to tax my sewing skills to the max!

 

[Fleur De Guerre]

Ditto on the last fabric being most like the pricey stuff. Though I personalkly love the big flowers one too!

 

[Miss Neecerie]

Thank you, Miss Neecerie. Can you tell me if this fabric is going to require lining up the stripes of the print? That's another one of my concerns. I already know this dress is going to tax my sewing skills to the max!

I am not an expert....but since in effect it is squares...I dont think it will matter -which- squares line up...ie as long as the edges of the squares do, what is inside each one or what color is against which color...wouldn't matter to me.

I will let someone else with better sewing 'words' explain it....as I realise I make no sense.

 

[Paisley]

Does it state on the pattern (in the fine print on the back) whether you shouldn't use certain prints (like diagonals) or to allow for extra fabric if you are?

 

[ShortClara]

I like the cotton/poly one best

 

[KittyT]

Does it state on the pattern (in the fine print on the back) whether you shouldn't use certain prints (like diagonals) or to allow for extra fabric if you are?

It states "extra fabric needed to match plaids, stripes or one-way design prints"

I don't really know anything about how to do this, though. As it is, I will still be struggling to make a garment that is a) lined b) has a zipper c) has boning d) has buttonholes (I'd like to add removeable straps like the vintage ones have).

 

[LolitaHaze]

Personally I like the black with beige flowers best, but I think the last one is in the spirit of what you want so I say the last one!! I can't wait to see your dress when you are done!!

 

[LolitaHaze]

It states "extra fabric needed to match plaids, stripes or one-way design prints"

I don't really know anything about how to do this, though. As it is, I will still be struggling to make a garment that is a) lined b) has a zipper and c) has boning.

I have made this dress before and the boning is really simple, so don't let that frighten you. I didn't line my dress (I should have) so I can't help you there and I always fail at zippers. But the boning was easy!

 

[KittyT]

Personally I like the black with beige flowers best, but I think the last one is in the spirit of what you want so I say the last one!! I can't wait to see your dress when you are done!!

That's the one my mom likes best too. I think I just like the sort of square motif, which even that particular fabric has. I'm less interested in getting something that looks close to the original fabric, and more interested in getting something that has the same stylistic elements/feel, and something that's going to work with this pattern to create a finished garment that looks good!

 

[Paisley]

It states "extra fabric needed to match plaids, stripes or one-way design prints"

I don't really know anything about how to do this, though. As it is, I will still be struggling to make a garment that is a) lined b) has a zipper c) has boning d) has buttonholes (I'd like to add removeable straps like the vintage ones have).

I find buttonholes not too hard if I use the buttonhole foot. And I really don't even sew. Just practice on some scrap first.

 

[mrswheats]

I vote for:

I think it's got really flattering tones of brown.

 

[zaika]

i REALLY like the simple brown fabric with the big cream flowers on it.


where did you find these prints? they're lovely!

 

[KittyT]

where did you find these prints? they're lovely!

1,2 and 4 are from http://www.equilter.com/

The cotton/poly is from http://hawaiifabricmart.com/