Need help finding fabric for a nightgown
 

I have a favorite nightgown that I've been wearing for 21yrs and I want to make one just like it. It was an expensive nightgown and robe set made from 100% cotton that I bought at 65% off. The gown has spaghetti straps and a top piece on the bodice that was made form 4 red and white cottons and the rest was white cotton gathered onto the bodice piece. The robe matched one of the red/white fabrics. I loved that nightgown because the cotton was so crisp and got softer with age while still keeping a great drape.

A couple days ago I woke up early and tip toed out of the bedroom to go to my sewing room to sew. I was standing on a small stepladder putting blocks from a large quilt I'm working on at the top of my design wall when I tripped on the hem of the gown, fell off the ladder ( I wasn't hurt)and ripped the back of the gown. Darn! I should have known better than to get up on a ladder with a long gown on.
So my question is where do I find such a high quality cotton? I've thought about the Kona solids that I often use but it's not the same feel.
I appreciate any help you can offer.

Sorry about your nightgown. I think you could try some lawn fabric. It's a very fine cotton
and often used for nightgowns. Check fabric.com.

I think Connecting Threads has a fine lawn type of fabric too, at least I think I saw it in the recent past on their website.

OK ladies, what is lawn fabric? This is a new one to me.

I'm running into the same problem - my nightgown is almost worn out and I love the fabric. Never thought about lawn - now just have to find out if the fabric shop carries it!

For the loveliest cottons around, check out Martha Pullen. She specializes in heirloom fabrics, and has lovely cottons of all types from light batiste to cordoroy. It is not inexpensive, but it is quality stuff for garments.

Pam

Look for batiste. It's a little finer weave than lawn.

Before buying fabric and a pattern check out www.vermontcountrystore.com. They sell cotton nightgowns and robes and anything I have bought from them has been excellent quality.

Thanks for the responses! I think the lawn might be thinner than what I'm looking for. Maybe I'll order a yard fro CT to see what it looks and feels like. I used to use batiste for garment linings and slips. I'll look at that again at the fabric store to see if it will work. I'll also check out Vermont Country store and Martha Pullen. Lots of great ideas for me to follow up on.:)