As the string quartet lowers their bows, a hush falls over the ballroom; time itself appears to halt, despite the steady flow of bubbly (which stops for nothing) (duh), and even the stars overhead hold their breath in anticipation. At last, in a whirlwind of elegance and an avalanche of applause, organza waltzes to center stage to rightfully claim the title of Mood’s March Fabric of the Month!
Demonstrated by its full-bodied drape, this timeless fabric is dedicated to decadence—a till-death-do-us-part type loyalty that keeps designers, brides, and everyone in between reaching for its crisp face again, and again, and again, and….
In the wake of the recent NYFW for Fall/Winter 2024, it’s obvious that transparent looks will not be loosening their grip on current fashion trends. And with sheer being our Fabric of the Year (Mood’s Version), we’re here to act as a friendly reminder that the bandwagon is fashionable, and in this case, serving champagne.
So we encourage you to hop on this trend and enter your see-through era with our selection of luxurious organza—but before you start sewing veils, dress overlays, and bubble sleeves, like the Bridgerton Dress-turned-bodice featured above, let’s shine more of a spotlight onto what makes organza oh-so-fabulous. And we’ll take one more order of caviar, please.
What is Organza?
Despite perfectly fitting into today’s trends, this textile has clothed yesterday’s emperors and will captivate tomorrow’s runways. Organza is a lightweight, plain weave fabric with origins tracing back to the Silk Road (yep, we don’t use the term “timeless” lightly). Although during that time it was made from silk, organza is now also woven with synthetic fibers like polyester, rayon, and nylon that increase both durability and affordability, allowing for high-end looks on a low-end budget.
Featuring a volume that builds like an orchestral crescendo, organza’s allure is attributed to its stiff drape. It inspires you to dream big with your designs as you experiment with sculptural silhouettes, reminding us all that we deserve to take up space in every room that we enter—if we so choose.
Paired with a crisp hand and gorgeous luster, it is the perfect wedding fabric, special occasion fabric, costume fabric, and even home decor fabric (first communion dress today, curtain tomorrow). Plus, some of our favorite ways to elevate this fabric include adding China silk/Habotai linings, crystal buttons, and lace trims for an oomph of opulence—are you hearing wedding bells and melodies in 3/4 time yet?
But let’s not get ahead of ourselves, fellow fabric fiends: we’re about to dive into the nitty gritty of organza’s construction to really understand the hows and whys of this fabric’s attraction.
Organza's Construction
Silk or synthetic fibers are tightly twisted, combed, and treated with acid to create a stiff yarn. Woven in a plain weave, meaning horizontal and vertical threads criss-cross in a one-over-one pattern, the resulting fabric is strong and yields a voluminous drape.
This process separates organza from other special occasion fabrics, specifically silks, though similar characteristics can be found in chiffon, tulle, and organdy (the latter being organza’s brother-from-another-mother, AKA cotton).
Tips for Sewing Organza
Have no fear, our professional sewists have weighed in to give you their tips on how to sew this unique textile with confidence.
- The Sharper the Better: Sharp needles, scissors, or rotary blades handle the delicate face with the utmost care.
- Don’t Slip Away: Oftentimes slippery, especially when made of silk, organza is best handled with weights to prevent movement when measuring and cutting. Hold both sides of the fabric as you sew, too.
- Get it Straight: Set your machine to the straight stitch setting for simple, clean lines.
- French Kiss: To prevent fraying, use a French seam or a bias binding.
Sewing Patterns for Organza
We hear your brains storming; we see those gears turning. True, wedding season is right around the corner, and yeah, the warmer weather does call for lightweight looks…but you don’t have to justify starting a new sewing project with us.
Whether you choose to make a statement or keep things small (perhaps organza ribbon hair bows?), this fabric will create a night to remember and a look you’ll never forget. We’ve curated a collection of sewing patterns below, and although we did not use organza for some, we can’t wait to see how you use it to transform our visions into your own!
Free Sewing Patterns for Formal Wear
Sewing Patterns with Organza Accents
Free Sewing Patterns for Costumes
The Gift That Keeps on Giving
So grab a needle, turn up the volume, take up space, and maybe even redefine what femininity means to you along the way. Feel the sheer power of organza yet?
