gallery tunic + dress sew-along: fabric ideas

Are you getting excited about the Gallery Tunic + Dress sew-along? We certainly are! It starts two weeks from today, and Rachel will be introducing you to our panelists next week so you can learn what they’re planning to do with the pattern. I have a feeling we’re going to see some interesting fabric selections and interesting ideas!

fabric details: Woodland Clearing by Liesl Gibson for Robert Kaufman

In the meantime, I thought it would be a helpful to give you some fabric ideas for your planning. One of the great things about this pattern is that it’s quite versatile and you can choose from a lot of different fabrics options. So here are a handful of ideas to get you started.

Shirtings

One obvious choice for this pattern is cotton shirtings, and if you have a shirting section in your local fabric store you’re in luck. If not, look for these fabrics on-line.

1. Jennifer Sampou’s Studio Stash Yarn Dyes for Robert Kaufman are an excellent choice. They come in a wide variety of patterns and colors.
2. Kaufman’s Carolina Gingham is also a great choice with a wide range of color to choose from.
3. Here is another choice from the Studio Stash Yarn Dye collection.
4. And one more Studio Stash Yarn Dye that I love.

Flannel

Plaid flannel is really popular right now, especially Buffalo plaids. Here’s a great article from the New York Times if you’re interested in the history of this pattern.

1. Kaufman’s Mammoth flannel. The epitome of the Buffalo plaid phenomenon.
2. So many good Mammoth flannel plaids to choose from!
3. More Mammoth flannel.
4. This beautiful tartan is part of Kaufman’s House of Wales plaid collection, which is the same group my peplum top fabric came from.

Double Gauze

If you’ve never sewn with double gauze, you’re missing out! It’s a lightweight, drapey cotton that breathes beautifully and is wonderful especially in warm weather. It also comes in a wide variety of colors and prints.

1. If you see something you like at Miss Matabi, you need to act fast! This particular print has already sold out, but here’s another one I like at least as much, probably because it fits nicely with my black and white wardrobe.
2. If you’re not into the conversational prints but want something lighthearted and fun, these dots are perfect. And the color is still neutral, so it will work with jeans and so much of your wardrobe.
3. I’m always a big fan of solid-colored double gauze, too. Save some of this navy double gauze for me because I plan to wear it all summer.
4. This print looks like a watercolor-y gingham, which is totally up my alley style-wise.

More Double Gauze

The double gauze category is just so good, I had to include more options for you.

1. Cotton and Steel has some wonderful double gauze in both prints and solids. I love these gold stars, which are such a pretty color without being too busy for a tunic.
2. Solid indigo double gauze. Always a smart choice.
3. This is the same solid double gauze in a soft peach color. I tea-stained this color for a Lisette top last spring (I don’t think I ever showed this one on the blog!) and still love it.
4. Cloud 9 has been producing some nice double gauze as well. This scatter print is a bit neutral enough to work well and add a little sense of fun to the Gallery Tunic.

Cotton Lawn

Cotton lawn is another one of those fabric that is ideal for shirts and tunics. It stays crisp even on hot days, and it’s lightweight enough to be comfortable no matter what.

1. Woodland Clearing, of course.
2. This is one of my favorite colorways from Woodland Clearing.
3. The limited color palette makes this busy geometric print work so nicely.
4. I like that this apple print reads almost like polka dots until you look more closely.

Chambray and Linen

Chambray is always a favorite, isn’t it? And with good reason! Both chambray and linen are easy to wear and extremely versatile. We’ve seen quite a few terrific versions of the Gallery pattern sewn up in both fabrics.

1. The little dots in this chambray are so much fun!
2. Kaufman’s Antwerp linen is a fantastic choice.
3. This swiss dot chambray is fun. The soft ends of the clip dot give it a more relaxed, organic feel.
4. This chambray reads almost like a linen, which would also be wonderful for the Gallery pattern.

Quilting Cottons

I’m particularly in love with Carolyn Friedman’s architecturally-inspired quilting cottons right now. The patterns are subtle, the colors are beautiful, and the hand is great for the Gallery pattern.

1. These simple lines make an interesting pattern.
2. The bold patterns on this graph-paper ground feel like a very neat architect’s doodles to me.
3. Cross hatching in a wide variety of color choices.
4. Delicate hand-drawn circles in a color that I’m rather obsessed with at present.

I hope that helps with your fabric inspiration and choices!