that is the question.
The next pattern that I’m going to make (’cause it’s quick) is the Two-Piece Tunic that I mentioned the other day. I downloaded and printed the pattern to give it a once-over and see what size fabric I really need. I’ll be making either a size 4 or size 6 (yeah, she’s into the “new” sizing – else I’d be in the 12 – 14 range) so I took a good look at the cutting lines and here’s what I see.
The way the back/shoulder piece is cut as a big “U”, with a fold down the center of the back so that it can be a single piece. From looking at the pattern, I think I can get away with a piece that’s 24″ wide after finishing, so that means it should be about 26 or 27″ wide on the loom. (Time to get the Gilmore going!) The front/belly piece is narrower than the back, so whatever fold I have for the back will cover the front as well.
The alternative is to use the front piece as my widest, or cut it on the opposite grain, so that I can weave a narrower piece of fabric. All in, I’ll need about 3 yards for the folded pieces, I think more like 4 or 5 yards for the seamed pieces. That means a seam up the back which may affect the drape/structure of the piece.
The fabric will be a spot Bronson that looks like this (look, Ma! PixieLoom!):
and I’ll make sure that I use the 1-2-1-2-1 on both edges to get a clean selvedge. Either 11/2 cotton (white on white) or an 8/2 cottolin (need to check the colors) as the yarn. The 11/2 will get sett at 24 and the 8/2 at 20. Spot Bronson should be sett as for plain weave rather than for twill.
So, thoughts? That’s hopefully next weekend’s project; assuming I get my real work done this week.
Oh, cool! I think that tunic will look great on you. And you have a Gilmore? Jealous…
So – stripes? No stripes?
No stripes. Solid color with the spots. I’m thinking I should do a scarf first to see how the draw-in works. Also? I only have two reeds for the Gilmore – an 8 and a 12. That means it’s the 11/2 and sett at 24. Easy, right?
Though I might do the scarf in the cottolin. To risky?
Why would doing a scarf in cottolin be risky? Because it might not drape well? If so, then call it a dresser scarf, or a table runner, or a sample. Or a random bit of cloth you’ll use three years from now to line a bag you’re making.