Made By A Fabricista: Velvet for the Holidays

Are you getting ready for the holidays? I am. From past years, it gets so busy in my household around this time of year, so it is never too early to start my holiday sewing. This year I decided to sew velvet, a fabric I had not sewn for many years but I think it is luxurious.

As luck would have it, FM’s poly rich black velvet flashed on my computer screen and I bought lots. I thought it would be pretty for a one-shoulder gown, which I had never worn before but admired on others. The following week FM’s multi-colored one showed up. It was a poly embossed Bohemian print velvet with jade, yellowish, and crimson colors; it screamed fall and family get-togethers. I just had to have it! When the fabrics arrived, the deep colors did not disappoint.

I chose Butterick B6557 for both dresses, View B for the knee-length printed dress and View C for the maxi dress. It was perfect for velvets; the front was one whole piece and so was the back. I cut the fabrics with the nap going down. From my muslin, I cut a size 16. Pattern weights and silk pins really helped anchor the fabrics. Lining is a must and so is an invisible zipper. I did not prewash the fabrics since the finished dresses will be dry cleaned.

To sew the dresses, I used a walking foot, a Teflon foot, an invisible zipper foot, and microtex needle. I tested my stitches and tension on fabric scraps first as velvet tends to slip a bit. Also, these velvets sewed differently from each other. The pattern instructions were clear. I took a chance at making close fitting dresses from velvet and am pleased with the fit. After hanging the dresses for 24 hours, I hemmed them by hand.

Modifications: I shortened the bodice darts by one inch on each end for more room. Because I could not use fusible interfacing on velvet, I used a grosgrain ribbon on the neckline instead. This would ensure the one- shoulder neckline did not roll down. For the shorter dress, I added black lace trim to the sleeves.

I am very happy with my first one-shoulder dresses. I am ready for the holidays – the multi-colored one for Thanksgiving and Christmas gatherings and the long one for formal events, including new year’s celebrations.

All the best for your holiday sewing,