A Few 18th c. Style Fabrics You Should Know About…

I’ve been scouring all my favorite web-haunts for fabrics from which to make my summer dresses.  In the search, I’ve come across some really gorgeous batistes, lawns, and voiles that are just squeeking to become 18th and early 19th c. gowns.  So I’m passing on my findings to you…

DISCLAIMER:  I am not a hard core period-correct stickler.  I go for fabrics that represent the look and feel of a period.  Some of these fabrics are not 100% period, but in my humble opinion, they would make delightful gowns.

Delightful blue floral with dots, and on sale for $2.99/yard, from Fabric.com.  I ordered this for a 1950s dress, but I can see it as a Robe a l’Anglaise, or a Regency day dress, any number of things.

Navy Blue/Cream mini floral, cotton lawn, $4.45/yard from Fashion Fabrics Club. You can get this in black and white as well.

Another from Fashion Fabrics Club, black and white floral cotton lawn, $4.45/yard.


Peach floral cotton lawn, from Fashion Fabrics Club, $4.45/yard.  Get it in a yellow style here, and  a more tan coloration HERE

Pink and Yellow cotton lawn, from Fashion Fab’s Club, $4.45/yard.  Comes in purple/yellow and  blue/green too.

For more accurate cottons, try Reproduction Fabrics – here are a couple examples I love.

So pretty, but kindof expensive, this floral-dot from Reproduction Fabrics – $9.25/yard.

Not so far off from one of the ones above. Reproduction Fabrics, $9.25/yard.

This lil’ post isn’t intended to be a comprehensive search of 18th c. styled fabrics on the web.  These are just some things I ran across while shopping fabrics for something totally different.  I’m hoping these inspire some of you to begin your floaty summer wardrobes and spend not-a-whole-lot doing it!

10 Comments

  • Angela

    April 7, 2010 at 9:40 PM

    Yummy fabrics. I am very much of your opinion when I look for fabrics for period garments. Unless I am working for a 'period venue' which hasn't happened of late – I try to find fabrics that give the feel of the times. After all we can't be completely spot on when it comes to prints. So, thanks for the resources! I am always glad to see what is out there. Cheers.

    Reply
  • American Duchess

    April 8, 2010 at 2:56 AM

    No problem, ladies! Glad to pass those swatches along! I am in the mood for new 18th c. digs – an anglaise and a chemise a la reine, so I'm getting all giddy looking at these things 🙂

    Reply
  • Le Bombette

    April 12, 2010 at 1:27 PM

    The peach lawn (4th down)is actually a wonderful match for the roller prints of the 1820's and 1830's. The polka dot and rose is also 1830's and cotton was definitely the fabric of choice at that time. So perhaps…an over-the-top frou-frou 1830's dress is in order 🙂

    Reply
  • Lauren Stowell

    April 16, 2010 at 12:55 AM

    I was quite impressed with the peach lawn, and it comes in so many other colors as well. SO tempted. I'm hooked on an idea for a pink anglaise polonaisey thingy right now…

    Reply

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