Noir Peony Viscose Fabric | 60" Wide | Sold in Metres

Noir Peony Viscose

Large blown peonies in cream and tonal grey across a black ground, with the shading carried right through each flower so the petals turn from near white at the edges to deep charcoal in the centres. The foliage sits dark enough to almost disappear into the ground, which is what pushes the blooms forward.

The gold is what makes it. A soft buttery gold runs through some of the petal centres, just enough to lift the whole print out of pure black and white. It also means gold trimmings, buttons and jewellery sit with it naturally, which matters if this is going into occasion wear.

A big print that still works for modest wear. It is dramatic without being bright, so it reads as formal rather than loud. If you have wanted something with real presence but stayed on plain black, this is the one.

The blooms cover the cloth densely, so your stitching disappears into the print and creases do not show the way they would on a plain.

This is a viscose, so it is cool against the skin, soft to handle, and it drapes close to the body rather than standing away from it.

60 inches wide, sold in metres and cut as one continuous length. Order three metres and it arrives as a single three metre piece, not three separate cuts.

What to make with it: Abayas, occasion and evening dresses, kameez, maxi skirts, wide leg trousers, kimono jackets, dupattas.

Scale matters on this one. The blooms are large, so lay every pattern piece out and look at where the flowers land before cutting. A full peony on the bust or across the seat is the mistake everyone makes once. Buy a little more than your pattern states so you can shift pieces around, and keep your shapes simple, because a print this big does not need gathers or ruffles competing with it.

Before you cut: Pre-wash, because viscose shrinks on its first wash. Wash cool, hang to dry, and expect it back slightly narrower. Cut single layer with pattern weights or plenty of pins. The cut edges fray, so overlock or zigzag your seam allowances early. Fine needle, and mark with a white or silver pencil since chalk is hard to see on a dark ground.

Care: Machine wash cool on a delicate cycle, hang to dry, never tumble dry and never wring it. Press on a medium heat while slightly damp. Wash separately for the first few washes, as dark viscose picks up fluff.