Swatch Book: Fabric for Recreating a Zimmerman Dress (With Links)
ICYMI: I'm recreating a pistachio green patterned Zimmerman dress from the recent Resort '24 RTW line. My exact fabric is out of stock, but here are some options that I think could get the look!
Long overdue, I have fabric for you! Welcome to the digital Swatch Book for my Zimmerman Matchmaker Resort ‘24 Dress Project!
[FTC Disclosure: The post contains affiliate links, and I receive a commission for any purchases made by you on the affiliate website using such links.]
Why can’t I just buy the same fabric you have?
I often shop designer deadstock fabric for my sewing projects. Deadstock is what the industry calls the leftover or unused fabric made for commercial designers. If a collection doesn’t manufacture as many pieces as expected or if the direction changes, this surplus material will be sold to fabric stores and retailers who then offer it to customers who may not otherwise have commercial access to these types of fabric.
I like deadstock because it’s typically very high-quality material, if you’re shopping luxury and high-end designers. It may be a controversial take, but if I am going to spend hours and hours sewing something I want the quality of my materials to be top notch (give me all the silk and natural fibers you’ve got!). It also supports a little more sustainability in the sewing space, keeping fabric waste out of landfills when possible.
The drawback of working with deadstock fabric is that there are often very limited quantities available. Once it’s gone, it’s gone! That is the case with the fabric I chose for my Zimmerman dress make (I am so sorry!!).
Below, I’ve curated some other fabric options you can shop to get a similar look or to make a dress that is not the exact same as mine but could believably be in the same collection. Some are deadstock, some are more widely available.
Your Fabric Swatches
I tried to capture a range of price points, but full disclosure- I did invest in my fabric (and after feeling it in person, I believe it was worth it). I paid ~$75/yard, and have marked the fabrics from the same shop I used below. I will be ordering from them again because I know I can trust their quality!
Same Pattern, Different Color
My fabric had the description “majolica print” in the name. This is a reference to the type of Italian pottery that the fabric print mimics.
Dolce & Gabbana is often associated with this style, which makes sense considering their Italian heritage. I think the Zimmerman collection has a little more of a ‘bandana’ feel than the heavy Italian influence, but I still think it works for this project because of the paneled layout most majolica prints seem to have.
This green fabric is the closest match I can find to mine, it’s more emerald green than my yellow/green citron color but it does have that same panel pattern layout as the fabric I’m using! (This is from the same shop that I ordered from. There are limited quantities!) Shop this swatch: https://creatoriq.cc/3U0qrGL
This khaki green printed linen feels so sophisticated to me. I could see this colorway in a few designer collections, and the lines in the pattern would be great for accomplishing some of the pattern matching of the Zimmerman inspiration. This linen also may be easier to sew with since there is more ‘solid’ fabric to sew with in addition to the pattern (lining up every single seam to perfectly pattern the dress is tough!) Shop this swatch: https://creatoriq.cc/444SitZ
Here is the same print in a beautiful blue. I feel like a fashion forward bride could totally wear this to an Amalfi Coast wedding weekend event! (This is also from the same shop that I ordered from. Limited quantities!) Shop this swatch: https://creatoriq.cc/3UlyWO3
This is the exact same print as the fabric I used but in a really unique colorway. This fabric is DEFINITELY going to give you a Dolce & Gabbana vibe! (This is also from the same shop that I ordered from.) Shop this swatch: https://creatoriq.cc/3w612U9
Confession: I wanted to gatekeep this fabric for myself because there are only a couple of yards left! A different pattern layout, this pick is for the more minimalist sewists here that love a neutral palette. I have a Zimmerman silk scarf style shirtdress that I thrifted last year, and this is so close to the color way and style of that dress. This fabric is going to give you that classic, subtle style (I believe the kids are calling it Old Money Style or Quiet Luxury). I think you could accent your seams with trim to almost create your own pattern by highlighting the lines created by sewing in the same way the original dress does. (This is also from the same shop that I ordered from. Again, it’s limited quantities!) Shop this swatch: https://creatoriq.cc/3Q8esWB
This goldenrod printed linen is a little closer to the color I’m working with (mine is still more green but I think this is gorgeous too, especially for summer!). This linen is on the more affordable side, and the pattern is not as ‘paneled’ as the links above. I have not ordered from this shop, so if you do I’d love to hear what your take is on the quality! Shop this swatch: https://creatoriq.cc/4cXSVK1
Here is another blue cotton with the paneled majolica print pattern. It’s a cotton instead of a linen, so will have a little different feel which may actually hold volume even better if you really love a full skirt. Shop this swatch: https://creatoriq.cc/4cXSVK1
Different Pattern Type/Color, But Really Similar to Another Zimmerman Dress
Remember how I mentioned the Zimmerman collection seems to have bandana print motifs throughout their prints? Well look what I found while researching this newsletter…
This pink bandana print linen one is also from the same shop I ordered from, and it’s on sale! Obviously it is not the exact same print/color as the one in the collection, but it reminds me of these two dresses:
![Zimmermann Resort 2024 [PHOTOS] – WWD](https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!nrFK!,w_1456,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F6a32b4dc-dd9d-44cf-b793-51e0d0291cc7_1364x2048.jpeg "Zimmermann Resort 2024 [PHOTOS] – WWD")
It could make a beautiful short or long sundress, or a full skirt to pair with a crisp white top for a fun summer look! Shop this swatch: https://creatoriq.cc/4det2pF
(Plus: A Few Notions You’ll Need…)
I also picked up these notions while making my dress:
invisible zipper
fusible interfacing (especially needed for the handwoven linen!)
vintage grosgrain ribbon (more coming soon on how I plan to use it! I love this shop, have ordered from them a couple of times!)
My Next Project: This Silk Chiffon Fabric
My goal with Swatch Books is not to tell you exactly what to make, but to spark creativity with all the wonderful options available to home sewists! My big takeaway when planning and making this dress is that very few styles are that out of reach. With a solid library of creative references and a little vision, you can make that thing you dream about and probably will love even more than the original!
Sneak peek at my upcoming project! If you want to sew along with me, my next project uses this fabric. It’s this pretty dove gray/lavender printed designer crinkled silk chiffon: https://tidd.ly/4aB3yRn .
Happy sewing!
[FTC Disclosure: The post contains affiliate links, and I receive a commission for any purchases made by you on the affiliate website using such links. Affiliate links include Mood Fabrics and Etsy shops.]
About the Author:
is an ex-Influencer turned slow fashion enthusiast with a corporate marketing 9-5, and a million creative side projects keeping her busy 5-9 (plus, most other hours). Her culture writing focuses on how digital spaces shape fashion, personal identities, and design.
shares her style notes, sewing project explorations, and reflections for the every-day artists crafting creative inner lives.
PS: Find the latest sewing projects at @namesakesewingstudio on Instagram <3