Burda Style For people who sew

I am planning on making my prom dress this year (although it is in only about 6 weeks!). I would be set to go if I could find fabric that I like. The fabrics at Joann’s and Hancock’s are too synthetic-looking; I would really like a silk chiffon or something. The main problem I am having is that nobody sells printed silk-chiffon. This dress is almost exactly what I would like to do: http://www.lafemmefashion.com/files/images/16599-1.popup.jpg
Does anyone know where to find “watercolor” printed silk chiffon or how to go about dyeing my own? I am afraid it would turn out too tye-dye and not look classy or prom-like. Does anyone have experience with this or advice?
Thanks!

EDIT: New plan is to buy white silk chiffon and paint it with fabric dye myself. I ordered some acid dye in different colors and some techniques for watering it down and setting the dye. If anyone still has advice for how to make it look as close to the effect on the dress in the above link, I’d really appreciate it!

Apr 3, 2011, 05.57 PM by Megan Richards

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  Apr 3, 2011, 06.43 PMby sewingfan1

  You should find silk printed chiffon online without a problem, I’ve bought lots from UK sites. Twinsmore fabrics on ebay had some stunning ones too from what i remember and they probably ship to the states.

  http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Discount-Luxury-matellic-Silk-Charmeuse-Fabric-per-Yard-/120622312259?pt=UK_Crafts_Fabric_Textiles_SM&hash=item1c15a66b43#ht_3974wt_864 could work (although I know it’s silk rather than chiffon)

  The dress is beautiful by the way, hope you manage to make it.
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  Apr 5, 2011, 07.50 AMby Sara Swinea

  Have your checked etsy? They have some beautiful fabrics or maybe ebay? I’ve gotten some beautiful silk charmeuse off ebay. http://stores.ebay.com/a1silkfabricdressmaterial – this is one store on ebay they have a few pretty silks http://www.etsy.com/shop/fabricsandtrimmings?ref=top_trail – this is a silk charmeuse on etsy that is kinda similar
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  Apr 7, 2011, 10.11 AMby 20beverly08

  A few years back, my daughter wanted ‘a painted fabric’ dress for a dance at school. I found Batik to be too expensive. So, I bought cheap cotton muslin and did the washing and dryer treatment first due to muslin shrinks a lot. I handed the fabric to my daughter with her choice of 5 different colors of fabric painting bottles from the fabric/craft store. She scribbled a bunch of designs on the fabric with the fabric paints, which we laid out on top of newspaper first to prevent bleeding of the paint thru the fabric onto the carpet. We let it dry for 24 hours. I then ran it thru the washer again in cold water and then the dryer on low heat. I made her the dress of her choice. She loved it and so did her friends at the dance.
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  Apr 7, 2011, 10.14 AMby katexxxxxx

  I have airbrushed silk with silk paints. Works a treat. I’ve also stenciled it and brush painted it… Works best with something like Setacolour, but is also possible with acryllics (but they can go a bit stiff… )