Pro tip: Always double-check your muslin before cutting into expensive silk

I was in my home studio last Tuesday, about to cut into this gorgeous $80-a-yard dupioni for a bridesmaid dress. The muslin fit the model perfectly, but I didn't account for how much the silk would shift. Ended up cutting the entire front bodice piece on the bias by accident. I had to scramble and piece it together with a hidden seam down the center. Has anyone else had a fabric behave totally differently than the test piece?

4 comments

4 Comments

the_hayden3mo ago

That's a solid tip, but honestly, sometimes the test fabric just lies to you. I've had cheap cotton muslin drape nothing like a heavy linen, even with the same pattern. The real lesson might be to make a second test from a cheaper fabric that acts more like your final material.

hollywhite2mo agoTop Commenter

My aunt made my cousin's wedding dress from a thrifted tablecloth. The final fabric was a total surprise.

the_leo2mo ago

Yeah, my friend tried that with some old curtains for a mock-up, thinking it was close enough to her satin. The curtain fabric was way stiffer, so the whole bodice fit totally wrong. She cut into the good stuff and the neckline gaped like crazy. Had to scramble to fix it with extra darts. I mean, the test fabric has to play along or it's just a waste of time.

the_brian1mo ago

But is it really that big a deal if the test fabric lies? The_leo's friend just had to add some darts.