Fashion is often about design details, ideas and the silhouette of the garment. Various solid or printed fabrics are used to achieve very fashionable features, although detail may sometimes be achieved with a particular bold or unique print. But these are flat design features, and to achieve anything with texture sometimes requires detailed and therefore costly fabric manipulation techniques.

Once in a while we are fortunate enough to come across fabrics that have texture and a three-dimensional detail. (Such is the case with new trendy fabrics that have frills in one-inch layers.) And sometimes we may come across some that are even more unique. One of the great things about these fabrics is that the detail of it means there is less work for you to do to get a fashionable garment. Basically, a simple silhouette that allows one to focus on only the fabric works well. Accessories that accentuate or highlight features may be incorporated into the overall look.

We found an adaptation of that trendy frilly fabric; one with flowers embroidered over it to “flatten” the frills in some areas. While we decided to allow the fabric to speak for itself, it can be further embellished in keeping with the design: coloured patches may be sewn over the flowers in similar shapes of varying sizes, or beads or stones could be attached to the centre of the pattern. Our second fabric was a patch-on-sheer, creating a bark-like effect — which inspired the location for this week’s shoot.

Steps: Maxi dress

1. Cut front and back pieces of fabric and lining.

2. Join front and back at the sides for both lining and dress.

3. Join ends of the elastic that will be used to secure the top of the dress; then attach elastic to the top of the lining.

4. Join tops of both fashion fabric and lining together – right sides together.

5. Finish edges and hem.