Pure wool border prints

Press, 5 July 1978, Page 15

Pure wool border prints

Among the marvellous selection of lightweight pure wool prints available in the better piece-goods shops this winter, you will find some very tempting border prints. Border prints, which are available in various sizes and shapes, are not difficult to sew if you follow a few simple guide-lines. They are, of course, recognisable by the design printed along one selvage edge of the fabric. The size of the print should be related to the garment. A large border print that might suit a floor-length party dress may prove to be too overpowering on a short skirt. Border prints are not recommended for A-Line or flared skirts, since the curved hem edges of the pattern will not match the straight edge of the border. Beginners should play it safe by choosing a pattern

without too many seams. Border prints are easier to handle if there is a minimum of matching. Some patterns are designed specificially for border print fabrics, and these include fabric allowance information in addition to special directions for laying out the pattern pieces. If you use a pattern not designed for a border print, make sure your fabric is the correct width for the pattern. In other words, the longest pattern piece should not be longer than the fabric is wide. You will also need more material than specified — how much more will depend on the pattern “repeat,” that is, the distance from any one motif on the border to the point where that motif appears again. You can generally estimate the fabric requirement by measuring the border across their widest

pa..tern pieces that need a point, making allowance for those pieces you need to cut out twice, like sleeves and backs. Add up the measurements, and you will have the approximate fabric requirement. Usually the pieces that do not need a border edge can be fitted between the major pieces. To be doubly sure, it is a good idea to lay out your pattern pieces on the fabric in the sfore before you buy. Ask the assistant to help you. When laying out, place all the pattern pieces that need a border. If the border is going to be the hemline, adjust the length to fit before cutting. The main part of the motif should be balanced at the centre front and centre back, if at all possible. Contributed by N.Z. Wool Board.