The clocks go back next weekend, the evenings are drawing in, and invitations are starting to land: work dos, Christmas parties, school discos and New Year's Eve. If you love the idea of turning up in something you made yourself, now is the perfect time to start. A simple party make sewn in late October is a relaxed project. The same make started the week before the party is a 1am panic.
Here are three fabrics that do a lot of the hard work for you, plus a few ideas for what to make with each one.
Crushed velvet: the easiest way to look dressed up
If there is one fabric that says "party season", it is velvet. Our Crushed Velvet Velour Dress Fabric is a soft, knitted velour with a naturally crushed finish that catches the light as you move. Because it is a knit, it has a natural stretch, which makes it far more forgiving to sew and wear than a woven fabric.
- Price: £3.99 a metre (was £5.99)
- Width: 150cm
- Colours in stock: Red, Ruby Red, Ruby Wine, Claret, Wine, Black, Chocolate, Cadbury Purple, Cerise, Lilac and Cream, with the last few metres of Turquoise, Yellow, Charcoal, Bottle Green and Steel Grey
What to make: a simple wrap skirt, a bodycon or slip-style dress, a cosy party top, or a Christmas stocking with real wow factor. Jewel tones like Claret, Ruby Wine and Bottle Green look especially rich under fairy lights.
Sewing tip: crushed velvet has a pile, so cut all your pattern pieces facing the same direction to keep the colour consistent. Use a ballpoint or stretch needle and a slight zigzag stitch so the seams stretch with the fabric.
Stardust glitter tulle: instant sparkle with no sequins to fight
Sequins look amazing but can be fiddly to sew. Our Stardust Soft Veiling Tulle gives you a similar shimmer the easy way. It is a soft, fine tulle with tiny metallic glitter flecks on the face, so it sparkles from every angle when the light hits it.
- Price: £3.59 a metre (was £6.00)
- Width: 147cm
- Colours in stock: Coral, Mint, Burgundy, Tiffany Blue, Flo Green, Silver, Midnight, Rose, Turquoise, Sage and White
What to make: a layered tulle skirt to wear over leggings or a slip, a sparkly overlay for a plain party dress, a children's tutu, or soft drapes and table décor for a party at home.
Sewing tip: tulle does not fray, so you can leave hems raw for a soft, floaty finish. To gather it quickly, run two rows of long machine stitches along the top edge and pull up the bobbin threads.
Silky satin: the party all-rounder
Satin is a classic for good reason. It drapes beautifully, it has a lovely sheen, and it works for outfits and decorations alike. Our Black Silky Satin Fabric is a TFS branded satin that we have supplied to stage decorators and interior designers for years. It is just as useful for a home party as it is on stage.
- Price: £3.59 a metre (was £3.99)
- Width: 147cm
- Also available in: 10m, 20m and 50m lengths, handy if you are dressing a whole room or a venue
What to make: a slip skirt, a camisole, a lining for a velvet jacket, a backdrop for party photos, or table runners that make a buffet look smart in seconds.
Sewing tip: satin can slip about while you cut, so lay it on a cotton sheet and use pattern weights or plenty of fine pins within the seam allowance.
Bonus: a sparkly pick for little ones
Children's Christmas parties and nativity plays are just around the corner. Our Silver Metallic Stars Organza in Pink has small silver stars on a light pink organza, and it is ideal for fairy and princess costumes, tutus and party bows. It is £3.59 a metre (was £6.99) and 150cm wide.
How much fabric do you need?
As a rough guide for adult sizes:
- Simple skirt: 1 to 1.5 metres
- Layered tulle skirt: 3 to 4 metres for good fullness
- Simple dress: 2 to 2.5 metres
- Table runner: the table length plus 50cm for overhang
Always check the fabric requirements on your pattern, and buy a little extra if you are cutting velvet with all the pieces facing one way. All our fabric is cut off the roll and sent in one continuous length, so simply order the number of metres you need.
Start your party season sewing now
A few metres of velvet, tulle or satin is all it takes to make something that feels special, without spending a fortune. Popular colours sell quickly in the run-up to Christmas, so pick your favourites early.
Browse the fabrics above, choose your shades, and get sewing before the invitations pile up. If you have any questions about which fabric suits your project, just get in touch with the team at Bull Ring Fabrics.
