The Backstory
I bought a piece of Italian wool on my last trip to Les Fabriques in Charlottesville, VA. I call the color "olive gray". Naturally, I wanted a coordinating fabric with which to make a blouse. Neither the salesperson nor I could find anything in the store and I was a little worried I'd have to settle for a cream color or something equally boring. When I got home, I checked my Vogue Fabrics by Mail swatches and I found a match! (Click photo to enlarge) I love Vogue Fabrics by Mail, but their swatches are very small. It is sometimes difficult to know what the fabric actually looks like when you have only a 2" x 3" swatch. This was the case with my fabric choice and the beginning of my quandary.The Quandary
Way back in junior high school, I learned fabric on the bolt is folded right side in. If that is the case with this fabric, I'm in trouble. When I received the fabric, the right side was not at all what I expected. (Click photo to enlarge) There is very little of the olive gray in the fabric and more rust-brown. I couldn't see this in the small swatch. The wrong side of the fabric coordinates better with the wool. What's an obsessive person to do? Use the wrong side?!?!? (Let me sit down. I'm feeling light-headed.)Fortunately, I have evolved enough to be able to use the side that matches best without any regard to the conventional right side or wrong side. (Well, almost.) Other than me, who's gonna know? But I am a recovering obsessive-compulsive. I still want to know which side is actually the right side.
Can't help with the actual solution. But since you purchased both sides of the fabric, my vote is for whichever side YOU say is the right side :).
ReplyDeleteThe "right" side is the one you love the most. LOL. Look at the selvedge. Sometimes that can help determine which is supposed to be the right side. Also, the brighter, clearer side is usually the right side.
ReplyDeleteAngela
I always just call the right side the "pretty" side, so that I can pick whichever side I want. Saves my from my own overdeveloped case of OCD. Those fabrics are beautiful together!
ReplyDeleteI looked at the fabric and with all batiks you'll get a brighter color on the face with a washed out look on the reverse. I think both sides would work as the face. However, I would wash the piece first. It is rayon, and batiks tend to bleed ink. So, if you wash it first the true face may soften up and look like the backside does now unwashed. -Sean S.(Buyer/Vogue Fabrics)
ReplyDeleteNot all fabrics are folded right side to the inside, but regardless, whichever side you like is the right side.
ReplyDeleteThat fabric is really beautiful - it will make a lovely blouse. You should definitely use whatever side you like best.
ReplyDeleteStunning combo...and you already know the answer to this question :-)
ReplyDeleteAnd definitely, there is no hard and fast way the fabrics are bolted.
One of the perks about sewing your own garments is--you can take artistic license and do whatever you want. Use the side of the fabric that best suits you and go for it!
ReplyDeleteI think you made the right decision!
ReplyDeletegood luck.
I'm about to cut a dress of out of a black and white boucle that has given me the same headache. Every time I reach for the scissors, I change my mind. That's why I'm sitting here leaving comments on your blog instead of sewing.
ReplyDeleteYou're too funny. I would have wondered too, but I would have eventually just used the side that looked the best. The fabric police will not come get you if you use the wrong side.
ReplyDeleteThat's a really unique print, and it is beautiful with your Les Fabriques purchase!
ReplyDelete