Fabric choices for wardrobing

CALICO

The above samples are actually home dec fabric and the groupings give ideas on color combinations, textures, and the variety  of accents.  Many jackets have been made from home dec fabric as there are many pretty patterns and choices of heavier weights.  

Butterick 3037

What I think would give a lot of mileage to a wardrobe would be to make a jacket out of  a home dec fabric and make skirts, tops, dresses to match.  The skirts could be out of silk, linen, heavier cottons, homespun types, etc.  Tops can be knit, preferable in cotton or other natural fibers;  wovens in cottons, linens, silks, and dresses made in similar fabrics. 

Vogue 7975  This is one that could be used in the Chanel Jacket contest.

Marfy pattern

I know there are many patterns coming out now that mimic the seventies styles when polyester fabric came out and everyone either bought a dress or made one. In fact wardrobes were filled with simple poyester shifts. They were easy to make. Wearing them and being comfortable was another issue. I don't think we realized that man made fibers could never compete with natural fibers for keeping cool or staying warm. The polyesters kept me hot when it was hot and when I wanted to keep warm, it was almost impossible. I am so glad that we have fabrics that we can live comfortably in.

Simple skirt and top using the raised neckline for modest style.

I do like to get all natural fabrics, i.e. 100% cotton, 100% linen, 100% wool, and 100% silk, rather than portions mixed with man-made fibers. They just have a different feel, perhaps the more expensive, the better the feel. I haven't purchased any organic fabrics yet and would like to try some.

Dress

This New Look below is a very simple dress that needs some neckline altering and skirt lengthening, but would work nicely under a jacket.

One thing has always puzzled me is in the Bible it talks about mixed fibers; i.e. linen and wool as in

Leviticus 19:19 "Ye shall keep my statutes. Thou shalt not let thy cattle gender with a diverse kind: thou shalt not sow thy field with mingled seed: neither shall a garment mingled of linen and woolen come upon thee."  Again in Deuteronomy 22:11 "Thou shalt not wear a garment of divers sorts, as of woollen and linen together."  Some suggest that it weakens the fabric strength. I am not sure and will have to do some studying.  But it definitely said not to wear a garment consisting of linen and wool mixed together. I am thinking this is woven fibers together. One is vegetative and the other is from an animal. Something to think about.