Fabric Suggestions for the Rome Collection

Hiya! Amy here. One of the most fun tasks we encountered when we were putting together the samples for the Rome Collection was thinking about fabric. We worked with three different fabric sources to put together the capsule wardrobe of dreams and we got to do it twice, since we had two models! We used mainly solid linens from We Are the Fabric Store as well as Blackbird Fabrics for maximum mix and match ability. The only prints we used were the Moonstone Collection from Atelier Brunette. Here is the blog post we wrote introducing the collection if you want to see more on our specific sample making fabrics. When putting together this fabric swatch round-up I thought I would get out of our comfort zone (linen, linen, linen) and pull out some other ideas of what might work for this collection of patterns. I included the technical drawings of the patterns so you can see what I'm referring to, also to get your wheels turning. Warning: fabric shopping may ensue.

TENCEL/SILKS

For the most part these silks and tencels will work for everything in the collection. View C (with patch pockets) of the skirt was not so cute in these drapey weights, however. The top, dress, shorts and pants would all work in these breezy wovens. The wide legged cropped pants would be so lovely and glamorous for a summer evening in a printed silk like the top left above. I would love to see that marbled silk on the big lantern sleeve of the blouse. And what if you wore that with the shorts made up in a nubby, jewel tone silk dupioni like the one up there?? SOMEONE INVITE ME TO A WEDDING!

FIORE SKIRT

RAYONS

I love rayon challis so much. Mainly for the colours and prints that can be achieved. The Cielo dress with the big sleeve is such a great canvas for any of these fun patterns. Or the top with short sleeves is a pretty use for a bit of something special you've been hoarding. What's summer dressing without some loud beachy prints to pull on for a BBQ? Again, the only thing I would avoid making in these is the View C of the skirt. Everything else would be a dream in these.

PIETRA PANTS & SHORTS

LINENS

It's no secret that linen was the "other" inspiration for this collection. Any traveller will tell you, the first packing revelation after having a "capsule wardrobe" is having that capsule wardrobe in linen. It's somehow both warm and cool, if it's a muddy colour it won't show ANYTHING, it gets better the more wrinkled it gets and it lasts forever. Everything in the collection looks good in light weight to medium weights. We also made the asymmetrical skirt and pants in a heavy weight and they were lovely. Choose your own adventure!

DENIM/CHAMBRAY/TWILL

I just realized I have turned this blog post into my own personal mood board for this collection. I saw someone made the Pietra shorts in a white denim or twill and I can't stop thinking about them! You don't want anything too thick since the back elastic will get bunchy and stiff, but I think this one above would work well. I also want to make the tapered pants in an olive or army twill. I think those would go into fall perfectly and get a ton of wear. How cute would the button front skirt be in this dark denim? And the embroidered chambrays would make the cutest shift dress...oh geez. I gotta get sewing!

CIELO TOP & DRESS

COTTONS

Nothing says summer like crisp cottons! Seersucker shorts! Eyelet tops! Ikat shorts! I want to make everything in these fabrics above and then shove it in a suitcase and head to a cottage. Who's with me?! What are you planning on making from the Rome Collection?