Autumnal Paisley – White Viscose Dress Fabric

Autumnal Paisley is a fabric of contrasts. The leaves are warm and earthy, in rust, burnt orange, chocolate brown and tan, each with a fine dark outline, but they’re scattered over a clean white ground, so the whole print feels light and open instead of heavy. The paisley shapes lean in every direction, which gives it a lively, tumbling look, like leaves caught in a breeze.

Why it works in the summer

Warm colours on white are a summer classic. Rust and terracotta look golden in strong sunshine, and the white ground keeps the print bright, so it suits holidays, weddings and long garden lunches as well as it suits an autumn walk. The viscose is breathable and lightweight, and the weave is fine, so a finished shirt or dress feels smooth and light on the skin. It also packs small, which is handy when you’re sewing a holiday wardrobe. Viscose can crease in a suitcase, so hang finished garments or give them a quick steam when you arrive.

What “high twist” means for you

High twist yarns are spun tightly, which gives the cloth a crisp, clean surface and a drape that falls beautifully without being floppy. This one is finely woven with a good amount of yarn, so it has a more substantial, structured feel than many light viscoses.

What to make

• Blouses and shirts: camp-collar shirts, relaxed blouses and tie-neck tops
• Dresses: shirt dresses, tea dresses, wrap dresses and midi dresses
• Skirts: gathered, tiered and bias-cut styles
• Trousers: wide-leg trousers and culottes
• Lightweight jackets: unlined summer jackets, kimonos and overshirts
• Crafts: scarves, headbands and other creative projects

The wide width leaves plenty of room to cut, which helps with full skirts and generous trouser legs. The print is dense and runs all over the cloth, so there’s no large motif to place and no pattern to match.

For winter events, too

The warm colours suit the colder months. Wear it with tights and a tailored jacket or a cosy cardigan for parties and Christmas.

Sewing tips

• Wash gently before cutting, as viscose can shrink
• Choose a fine, sharp needle and a medium stitch length
• Neaten seams to stop fraying, with French seams, an overlocker, a zigzag stitch or bias binding
• Press on a low heat from the reverse, with a pressing cloth if you have one

• Width: 150cm/60" (approx)
• Composition: 100% Viscose (high twist)
• Fabric Type: Viscose, finely woven
• Colour: White, Brown

✔Machine washable at 30°C or lower, on a gentle cycle
✔Wash separately the first time, as rust and brown dyes can bleed onto the white
✔Do not use bleach
✔Do not tumble dry
✔Dry flat or line dry in the shade
✔Iron on a low heat, on the reverse
✔Always test a small sample first to check your preferred washing method

Viscose is made from plant-based cellulose, and this fabric is made to be worn and washed for years. Choosing a well-made fabric with a timeless print, and caring for it gently, helps your handmade wardrobe last.