At this time of year we are seeing many new film releases hitting the cinema screens and with movie award season not far behind us, we find that many of our customers are feeling inspired to create pieces either in tribute to their favourite film costumes or for their own amateur productions and costume conventions. Film costumes are such big...
Fabrics
-
Summer Fabrics at Calico Laine
As the weather is slowly warming up, our customers are looking for lighter fabrics that are comfortable to wear in higher temperatures, perfect for summer and holidays they have booked for later this year. In today’s blog post, we’ll be talking about a few of our fabrics that we think are great both for dressmaking and for keeping you cool... -
Baize Fabrics
The majority of our Fabrics at Calico Laine are primarily dress Fabrics however we do stock a select few products that can be used for upholstery or household furnishing and this includes our Baize Fabrics. In general, baize is a woollen cloth, or woollen mix, that does not have a nap to it giving it a smooth finish. Due to... -
Fabrics : How Downton Abbey has inspired today's clothing trends
Downton Abbey is surely one of the most successful British Dramas of all time and was certainly the most watched Christmas Special of 2013. Since its debut in ITV on 2010, Downton has taken the world by storm, not only for its climactic story lines and breathtaking dramatic performances, but for the exquisite costume design. Downtown's stunning costumes have made... -
Fabrics : The Best Dressed of 2013
Like any dressmakers, or anybody else keen on fashion, we always have one eye on the red carpets throughout the year, looking to be inspired by the latest celebrity trends and 2013 has seen a whole host of stunning looks, many of which will go down in fashion history. This year, the red carpet has been awash with sumptuous fabrics... -
Haute Couture Fabrics
Gabrielle Coco Chanel once famously said "fashion fades, only style remains the same", and as with anything fashion related, Coco was always right. Coco Chanel was of course an expert at creating elegant, simple classics which were guaranteed to stand the test of time. The inventor of the Little Black Dress, Coco knew better than anyone what fabrics and elegant... -
Fabrics : The Classic LBD
The first 'LBD' by Coco Chanel showcased in American Vogue, October 1926. From playful party dresses to elegant evening gowns, every girl needs at least one Little Black Dress in her wardrobe. The classic, timeless elegance of the LBD dates back to the 1920's and is attributed to designers such as Coco Chanel and Jean Patou who aimed to... -
How To Make A Maxi Dress
With the new year approaching, you might be thinking about next year's wardrobe - what fabrics will be fashionable? What items of clothing will be essential and stylish? What dressmaking fabrics should you use and wear? One item of clothing that never seems to go out of fashion is the well-loved maxi dress - these dresses can be worn for... -
Fabrics for Smart Wear at Calico Laine
Sometimes, our customers visit us in store or search our website for fabrics that are suitable for smart business wear, and are often not entirely sure what we offer that would be a good choice. In today's blog, we'll be suggesting a number of different fabrics that would be great for this purpose, which will hopefully aid you in making... -
Dressmaking Fabrics for Retro Fashion : The Eighties
The Eighties are a time that most of us will be old enough to remember fondly and were a time of great social and economic change, remembered by many as a simpler and happier time, The Eighties were defined by its outrageous fashion, cheesy pop music and rapid changes in technology. The Eighties brought us the first mobile phones, much...