Sewing a winter dress: Choosing warm fabrics

Do you have a requirement for your winter creations? They must be warm. But even if the cold weather sets in, you refuse to deprive yourself of the most feminine pieces?

We know what you mean. This month, la Maison Torretto Tessuti invites you to browse through the essential materials for sewing winter dresses.

Don't give up your sewing machines, and especially not your beautiful dress ideas once the wind chill sets in. It's up to you to sew the classics that will keep your wardrobe warm this winter.

HOW TO CHOOSE A FABRIC TO SEW A WINTER DRESS?

As with coats, the key to successful winter sewing projects is to prioritize weight and density when choosing your fabrics. For the look and comfort, the composition and nature of the fabric will follow.

FABRIC WEIGHT

A fabric that has sufficient weight and density will guarantee warm, weatherproof designs. 

Your online fabric store, Torretto Tessuti, offers a selection of quality fabrics for dresses, made in Italy, in weights around 180 gr. The ideal weight for dress fabrics can vary from 140 to 195 gr/m 2. But in winter, we advise you to choose the heaviest and thickest materials that can go up to 300 gr/m2.

Remember: For the perfect sewing project, you must choose the weight of your fabric according to the nature of your project and the look you want. The heavier the weight, the thicker and stiffer your fabric will be. 

TYPE OF FABRIC

You will have understood, this winter we invite you to choose dense fabrics like velvet suede or denim. But that's not all, follow us for an overview of new materials that could give you warm ideas.

WARP AND WEFT

For the warmest pieces, with a beautiful structure, you can choose heavy Crepe or double Crepe fabrics: roundness, chic and elegant rendering, will be at the rendezvous! 

Flannel fabrics (scraped to allow for softness but also to trap air bubbles that will make the garment warmer) are also a great alternative. Easy to sew and very versatile fabrics!

If you want more fluid materials, for a long dress for example, think of different fabrics satin and Crepe lighter fabrics.

With these warp and weft fabrics, we advise novices to turn to simple models such as straight dresses with long sleeves, while the more advanced can embark on the creation of wrap dressess or shirt-dresses for example.

One thing is sure, with quality fabrics you can dare anything. 

MAIL

If you dream of a cocooning winter and softness under your fingers: Work the knit fabrics that work to make pretty dresses practical but also fast and simple to sew.

Heavy, thick jersey fabrics, such as milano weights, offer many creative possibilities. The density of these fabrics allows for straight renderings with a leaden and elegant fall.

The lighter and looser knit fabrics, allow to realize outfits close to the body full of comfort and femininity.

Thibaud - "Our sewing idea: mix warp and weft and knitwear in a realization for original finishes."

COMPOSITION

All of these fabrics can be made of different fibers and if you don't know which one to choose, here are our tips:

At la maison Torretto Tessuti, we invite you to use wool on traditional items (e.g. woven flannel), provided you have the project for it.

The other materials have many aesthetic virtues, bring a lot of modernity with prints and unique finishing techniques! Polyamide, Acrylic, polyester (which can be given all possible shapes) can replace wool for accessible and original renderings.

If you are looking for an alternative, viscose may be the ideal fabric in winter. It is a breathable material that can be warmed up. Knitted in jersey, it offers a durable quality, easy toCare and much less expensive than wool.

ONE LAST TIP 

If you're sewing for the coldest of us, we invite you to double up for finish, comfort and a little more warmth.

The woollen fabrics, flocked, are perfect for sewing dresses, but will be all the more comfortable with a pleasant and satin lining, like the satin stretch, kink.

Whether you want to sew simple or sophisticated dresses, sober or colorful : Sewing is a year-round activity. For this winter, if you follow our advice and pick one of the fabrics from our selection, those who will wear your creations will not know the cold!