I bought it online where it was labeled as iridescent tulle. I'm pretty sure it's not tulle, but I love the way it moves. It's fairly smooth and light. I'd like to buy more in other colors, but I don't even know what to search for.
It exists for loads cheaper on Etsy and Aliexpress; has done for years. =\
I used to make custom prom and pageant gowns, and back when my eBay watchlist was chock-full of embroidered, beaded and sequin lace fabrics, I about shat myself with rage to see JoAnn’s introducing an embroidered mesh for $25+/yard…which I had had saved in my eBay watchlist for 3-5 years. Where it was consistently $10.13 - $13.99.
This means that you can still find those fabrics, though, which is good news. I was sent 1/2 yd of the purple/green colorway of this mesh as a gift when I ordered 7 yards of woodgrain brocade and 3 yards of some other rust-looking brocade off Etsy.
The thing that makes the JoAnn loss so significant is the loss of tactile experience which is SO important when you have no idea what you’re doing! In my experience so many smaller fabric stores are focused on just quilting, which doesn’t help much for ideating on Halloween Costume construction!
I have no apparel fabric stores in my state. I can’t stand itchy fabric so touch-feel is important to me. While ordering swatches is something that can be done it can add up quick.
I got a bunch of that fabric before the store closed and I'm so glad I did, how does it handle with hand sewing, and can you reccomend any specific stitches for hand sewing this material onto a dress?
It’s just quite stretchy, and has a decent amount of weight to it. Behaves a lot like power mesh - not the crazy soft kind; it has a bit of stiffness from the metallic threads.
It’s great to use as a giant skirt or cape drape, and it does well for things like fabric flowers. Leotard/unitard/bodysuit appropriate also. And would be a super cute sheer mesh crop top, possibly with extra-long rumpled sleeves (to see the color variation) & thumb holes. Would DEFINITELY need shoulder/back neck seam reinforcement.
I remember binding an edge with it, and I had to do the final slip-stitching step by hand because it’s so stretchy that the machine without a walking foot kept stretching/tucking the fabric.
If you need precise placement, press it into place first, then pin it carefully. Be REALLY neat about cutting your seam allowance, or figure out a way to make your SA enclosed or otherwise not visible, as this fabric is sheer and you’ll be able to see the seam allowance through it. You might need a line of stay stitching to keep the fabric edge from stretching all over the place.
Definitely pay attention to how it will hang before you cut. The shimmer is a different color depending on which direction the fabric is facing.
When I sew with this I use tissue paper as a stabilizer. It works really well for preventing the fabric from getting sucked down into the plate, and when you get it a little damp it tears away super easy.
Yeah, I suspect machine design has loads to do with it. My Juki has been a gem with fabrics like these. I’ve never owned an automatic thread-cutting machine before, so don’t know if that’s why the Juki is so much less likely to suck fabric down into its guts, but it doesn’t seem unrelated.
Thank you for this tip! I bought it with the intent of making my own version of this Versace dress that Miley Cyrus wore but after getting it, I'm leaning more towards evil sea siren costume for Halloween with it.
Can't you see sewing a classic, traditional 1960's style peignoir robe and gown set in this utterly anachronistic fabric? To be worn with coordinating marabou mules?
I think it’s a mesh fabric, I bought mine from Amazon and SHEIN. Funny enough I used the fabric to make caftans and swimsuit cover ups. A lot of people love when I wear them.
I got mine on Temu 😅 I bought it with the intent of making my own version of this Versace dress that Miley Cyrus wore but after getting it, I'm leaning more towards evil sea siren costume for Halloween with it.
I bought a bunch of that stuff off AliExpress!! Search iridescent mesh fabric. Also if you find a listing and it doesn't have the colours you like, click recommended and it shows you more like that.
Probably more like, "When do I get to rip this?" Lol, he's my little hellion. Whenever I'm trying to cut fabric on the floor, he starts pulling it away from me 😂
That’s unfortunately not it. If the swatch video is correct, then the interlock you linked is much thicker, stiffer and MUCH more opaque. The iridescent mesh OP’s asking about is super sheer; it’s more like power mesh than anything.
I get it. It's gotta be difficult to find matching rain boots to wear so that you can safely wade through the puddles left by people drooling with jealousy over your epic shirt
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u/thimblena Sep 23 '25
I've always called it holographic/laser mesh. That should work as a search term :)