We love chains fabric!

Guestblog

When looking for fabrics for a sewing project, I always check whether the relevant (online) store also has so-called 'chain' fabrics. I love them!

Chain, straps or cables
By 'chain' fabrics I mean fabrics that have a design print of chains, cables and / or belts. Often this is also combined with flowers, fringes or bits of horse bridles. The fabric often has no more than three shades and, despite the busy design, still looks calm and balanced. It does not consist of panels, which is often the case with digitally printed tricot fabrics, but the pattern does repeat itself. This is hardly visible.

Colors and shades
The colors are usually based on black, brown or beige. The shades are often coordinated but can also contain bright colors such as red or blue. The shade of gold predominates so that the fabric always has a luxurious look. I love them because of the luxurious glamorous look and the resemblance to 'Hermès' style.

Which search terms can you best use?
If you are looking for the fabric, it is often difficult because the design does not really has a name.
Most fabric stores use different names.

Try these:

• chain
  
• Belt
  
• cables
  
• fringes
  
• chain
  
• chains
  

Let's create a 'chains' outfit!
You can of course make anything you want from chains fabrics, but pay attention to the type of fabric. It is quite different what the fabric is.
Below are some ideas:

• Jersey or tricot: a t-shirt, dress or legging
• Have bought scuba fabric: nice cool pants for the summer
• Viscose or chiffon: a blouse, tunic or summer dress
• Punta di Roma (thicker stretch fabric) or French Terry: a sweater, sweatpants or dress
• Gabardine fabric: a blazer, dress or pants

Pay particular attention to whether the fabric has a stretch content or not and check the sewing pattern carefully to notice if these are recommended fabrics. You can make anything from leftovers fabrics: toiletry bags, glasses cases, laptop sleeves and bags.

Styling tips:
Finally, I have some styling tips. The fabric is often busy with design and it is therefore better to adjust the rest of your outfit accordingly. You don't want it all to look 'over-done', to look like a hippy or look like a clown.
Therefore, pay attention to the following:

1. Chain fabric combines very well with jeans!
   
2. Limit the ammount of chains fabrics by choosing only one garment or accessoiries.  So either a blouse, blazer or top or a skirt, pants or leggings.
   
3. Limit further accessories such as jewelery, necklaces and earrings.
4. Do you really want the minimal wearing of chain fabric? Make a nice scarf from chiffon or viscose chains fabric. This really looks very chic.
   
5. Finally: chians fabric looks chic. You can use it for a business outfit but also for a casual outfit. it's the perfect way of 'dressing up'!
   

Read more: Dressing up or dressing down

Summarized:
Chains fabrics are beautiful!  But sometimes hard to find at the fabric stores.  If you spot a fabric, let us know, we will publish the link or your self-made clothes!