When I saw this multicolored floral plisse fabric, I immediately thought of spring and summer. The fabric has all the colors of warm weather: shades of pink, orange, blue, purple, green and small hints of yellow. The fabric reminds me of a flower garden and I knew this would be a perfect addition to my spring / summer wardrobe. This was my first time working with plisse, so I wasn’t quite sure what to expect. For those who may not be familiar, plisse fabric has either a crinkled or pleated striped texture which leaves it puckered.
The fabric is a medium weight knit which has moderate stretch; the texture helps to give it beautiful movement. It took me a while to decide on my final project. Initially, I pictured a multi-tiered skirt that I could twirl around in; but then I started wondering if a dress would be better. Honestly, this fabric could work with multiple styles including dresses, skirts or tops. I could even see a pair of loose or wide leg pants if you choose to be a bit more adventurous. As you select your pattern, keep in mind that the fabric will expand slightly due to the small pleats that are a part of the fabric so be sure to pick a pattern / style that will adjust to this.



Ultimately, the dress won and I decided upon McCall’s pattern 7772, view C. This is a no fuss pattern and it was just what I needed for this project. I started with 2.5 yards of the fabric (about 2.3 meters) which was a little more than what the pattern required. I thought this pattern would showcase the beauty of the fabric and the texture perfectly. The plisse fabric worked perfectly with this pattern because the pattern required a knit fabric.



This pattern is also beginner friendly and if you are anything like me, a pattern that is quick, easy and stylish wins every time. From cutting to sewing, I consider this a “quick” make. I was able to cut the pattern pieces and sew the garment in one sitting.



Here are some tips that helped me during the process of working with this fabric:

I pre washed my fabric and hung it to dry prior to cutting it to ensure the best result.

Use plenty of weights when laying out your pattern as the fabric will shift easily.

Pin, pin,pin and then pin some more. The pins help to hold the fabric pieces together with minimal shifting.

I used a Microtex needle for knits, which was perfect for the texture of the fabric.

The fabric doesn’t fray much, but I found that I prefer to use my serger on the seam allowances to give a clean finish on the inside. You could also use a zigzag stitch to achieve the same look.



When I wore this dress, the colors were a mood all by themselves. The bodice of the dress moves so nicely that I couldn’t stop moving around. Thanks to the stretch in the fabric, minimal adjustments to the pattern were needed.



This dress will get plenty of wear because it can be dressed up with some pumps or down with flats or sneakers. I plan on wearing it as the perfect date night outfit or as I brunch with friends.

I would definitely work with plisse fabric again. Maybe next time I’ll make my flowing skirt.


Have you ever worked with plisse fabric? What kind of experience did you have?


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