Friday, December 23, 2011

The Velvet Curtain


Last year, I really, really, really wanted this dress for Christmas. 

B5523


The pattern never made it from the envelope. Why? I bought this beautiful stretch velvet in hunter green. While the salesperson was cutting it, I noticed bolt marks. I asked if these would come out after pre-washing the fabric. She said yes. Y'all, I didn't know any better. After washing the fabric, the bolt marks (as you may have guessed) were still there.



I didn't think I could take the fabric back because I had already cut a swatch from it. I became discouraged. I figured I could buy more and use the first piece as a muslin. I have yet to find that fabric in the store again. I could order it online from the same retailer, but I was afraid of bolt marks.

I ordered some from another retailer. The quality wasn't as good and the color was slightly different. By now, Christmas was gone, so I FOLDED all the fabric and put it away. (Clearly I'm a glutton for punishment).

I saw this post from Gertie recently. It made me think of my stretch velvet lows from a year ago. I pulled out the fabric and prepared to hang it. Then, I had a thought. Since this was stretch and not regular velvet and I managed to snag a needle board earlier this year, could I rescue the fabric? The answer was yes! If I placed the pile against the needle board and gave the backing a shot of steam (no direct contact), the marks seemed to go away! I did a couple of small tests and I think it works. Yea!

Meanwhile, my stretch velvet is now hanging from a lamp in my sewing room, awaiting its 2012 fate. It reminds me of curtain panels. I have to use it quickly because it can't hang on the lamp forever. My closets are so full, I don't have a space where it could hang freely.


2 comments:

Faye Lewis said...

Glad you rescued your fabric. But watch out for that pattern, the neckline is loooow. Might want to raise it slightly.

NuJoi said...

Will do! Thanks Faye!