What is DBP? – Double Brushed Poly (G+G Lounge Gown)

What is double brushed poly (DBP) and why is it such a buzz word in the sewing world? It’s a blend of polyester and spandex. Double brushed poly is brushed on both the face and back of the fabric, whereas single brushed poly is brushed on only one side. Brushing gives fabric a “fuzzy” soft texture and adds warmth to any garment. The brushing on some fabrics is more pronounced (sweater knit pictured below versus DBP.)

A more pronounced brushed texture gives the inside of this ribbed sweater knit pictured above a fleece-like feel.

The brushing on this DBP (Boho Fabrics) above is much less pronounced, more velvet- or suede-like than fleecy.

As for the why, I imagine it’s the versatility of DBP that’s made it such a THING recently. You can use it in skirts, dresses, tops, leggings, all to wonderful effect because of its interesting properties.

So for my first time working with it, I chose a free pattern by George and Ginger–the Lounge Gown–and I can say I understand the hype now.

Get the Free Pattern Here

What I Love about DBP

• That texture. I’ve heard it described as “buttery” before. It’s so soft. The brushed fibers feel amazing against your skin and add a quality of warmth to whatever you’re wearing.
• The drape. DBP teeters on an interesting line between structure and drape. It drapes wonderfully, but it also has a consistency that makes it feel more substantial. I wouldn’t expect it to stand up like a true structured fabric could, but it has a nice weight to it while still maintaining its fluidity.
  
• The prints. Being so popular, DBP is available in all kinds of prints and colors.
• The behavior. Other than it clinging to itself, it’s very nice to work with at the sewing machine. Edges stay nice and flat, it feeds well and irons well.
• The stretch/recovery. It has amazing stretch and great recovery.

I’m totally going to try more things with DBP: a nice long-sleeved shirt, leggings, maybe another Bianca Bolero… I’m curious how fusing some interfacing to it might turn out, if it would beef up the bolero collar enough to achieve a more structured look. I have another yard of DBP coming from Made of Love Fabrics; I think I’ll try the bolero with that.

Lounge Gown Review

The instructions are top notch. Love them. Simple to understand, good layout, great illustrations, and concise without skipping important detail. It made my little INTJ heart all warm and fuzzy.

There are, of course, things I’d like to do differently next time:

• Leave the bottom edge raw. The hem seriously wonked up the drape and I don’t like it. The edges don’t fray so a hem can be considered optional when using double brushed poly. I am seriously considering unpicking it even though I’m sure that will take a huge chunk of time.
• This will take some serious hacking, but I’d like to use a fabric band around the waist rather than elastic. I hate elastic, and I love the silhouette created by a fabric waistband.
• I might try a different fabric, possibly ITY.
• The baby doll length was a lot shorter than I anticipated. I either didn’t measure how it would fall correctly, or I didn’t have the right location of the “shoulder seam.” I suspect the latter considering there really isn’t a shoulder seam on this pattern. I’ll try full-length for the next version.

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