A square here..a square there....red here...blue there...so much fun...but its not a circus or fair we're talking about..it's Madras patchwork fabric, and it's no lesser fun than the circus in town.
Patchwork madras is such a fun fabric, especially for children. The mix of several colors together in one fabric, make it like a party all the time. No wonder, patchwork madras is used for kids shorts, pants, shirts, skirts, tops, dresses, caps, belts, ties and so much more, because children love the loudness of it. Kids love the way the fabric speaks to them, in their own language, by being bold and bright, and yet so right. Criss-cross lines of plaid make it a maze of fun to navigate through..all in all...a great fabric for children's apparel and garments.
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Something about madras shorts, just screams beachtowns and preppy. Donning a pair of these shorts just makes one imagine that he or she is walking on the boardwalk, with sand between their toes, and just brings on the vacation in me atleast, even if I'm strolling the streets of New York City.
Madras shorts can be made knee-length, or like bermudas, or short-shorts for women, and also as skorts. Madras shouts preppy, and reminds one of the beachtown lifestyle. Madras shorts are popularly available at most clothing stores in beachtowns, and shore towns. I love grabbing my pair of shorts, as a weekend tradition, and it just relaxes me to another level altogether. Preppy clothing can never be complete without a pair of crisp madras shorts, which can be patchwork madras or just plain plaid madras. Eitherways, a must-have. I dont think I have even seen a fabric as "interesting" as patchwork madras.
Patchwork madras is basically fabric that is made by sewing together pieces of regular woven madras fabrics, or plaid fabrics, into a labyrinth of criss-crossing lines of plaid, which form a combination of colors, otherwise impossible to achieve in any other fabric form. Patchwork madras has gained popularity as a preppy staple fabric for use as shorts, shirts, skirts, belts, ties, bowties, hankies, childrens clothing, sport coats, and even in dog clothing and pooch wear. I think it is to do with the myriad of colors that are thrown into one fabric alone, that make patchwork madras so interesting, and a fabric of choice for clothing manufacturers, sewing enthusiasts, and preppy clothing labels. Especially for children's and kids clothing, such as shorts, skirts, pants, shirts, dresses, and other accessories, patchwork madras is the fabric of choice, because I think its the excitement this fabric brings to the garment. Patchwork madras is truly unique in that, no other fabric manages to combine as many colors into one, without it being almost comical. The real Patchwork madras, for it to be called madras, would need to be sewn together using pieces of madras plaid fabric, woven in India, especially in the southern city of Madras, famous for this fabric. Patchwork madras is always made from pieces of 100% cotton plaid fabric, and almost never of other fibers such as polyesters or blends. I remember, during one of my visits to a weaving factory, seeing thousands of yards of fabric strewn around, drowning the sewing-cutting rooms in colors of plaids, and all fabrics being made ready to join together into patchworks of infinite colors...what an experience that was. But even more amazing was the end product, and how the chaos of different plaids seemed to come together perfectly, and form a beautifully preppy wearable cloth. Great job madras-makers !! Madras...is it a city?Is it a time period long gone? Or is it a fabric? One would never guess. Madras is actually a bit of all the above. Madras fabric is named after the city of Madras in India, now known as Chennai, in the southern reaches of India.
Madras fabric epitomizes preppy like no other. Preppy lifestyle and fashion is best expressed using madras, which makes it a great choice for casual shirts, sport shirts, shorts, skirts, country club wear, beach wear, belts, shoes, tote bags, bowties, bandanas, tops, dresses, children's wear and just about for anybody wanting to flaunt that preppy look. Madras fabric gained popularity in the US sometime around the 60s where it was a must-have for all, and screamed ivy-league, prep school, beach towns, country club, golf, and the preppy life overall. Today Madras is just as popular, and is a staple in the clothing of today's brands like Ralph Lauren, Brooks Brothers, Vineyard Vines, and many more Southern clothing brands, as well as children's wear and accessories. Madras will always be around it seems, and thats the way we like it. (Author BUD, for Atlantis Fabrics...the authority on Madras fabric.) |
AuthorThe Author BUD is a fabric expert, and a madras fabric specialist at Atlantis Fabrics. Archives
June 2020
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