New (Old) Duro Variation

Su-Ying sent me a link to Ageless Patterns, where I found this beauty (which is, in fact, from Decades of Style; click on the image to visit their site).

Doesn't this look like the bodice to a new and exciting Duro-style dress?

After doing some due diligence I think I'm going to buy this one, and convert it into a dress. I think I can Frankenstein the skirt from the McCalls Duro (which I love) and have a fun new variation! I love that the sleeves on this one are a bit narrower, and the neckline a bit higher.

To put the other skirt on this bodice, I think that I will (and I'm VERY happy to hear alternate suggestions) take the midriff pieces of the other bodice and true the bottom of this one to it, then proceed from there. Don't worry, I'll make a muslin ... and I think I'll probably lengthen the skirt a bit, to give it a more Edwardian feel. I'd love to make one in brown and cream, as I have a pair of brown and cream spectator shoes that would be a perfect complement ... I also have some gorgeous green velvet that I could find a green jacquard to match, if I wanted to be fancy.

I still haven't done the Big Duro Roundup, but I have high hopes of taking some pictures over the holiday. And, speaking of which, I won't be posting Thursday-Friday-Saturday-Sunday, as I'll have lots and lots of houseguests! My husband is doing the actual cooking (turducken, baby!) save for the pies, which are my bailiwick. So tune in tomorrow, but after that I will be taking a tryptophan-induced break for a few days.

Comments

[Claire]

I know you need a break too, but I will be sad without new ADAD posts all weekend. What else will I do when my family is driving me nuts?I can't wait to see how this one comes out, you will definitely have to post a picture of the finished project. Is this high on your list of projects?

[Anonymous]

Oh wow that is a great idea. Can't wait to see the picture.

[mickey]

Turducken. No. Just no. I just can't.I'll wear the turkey dress but no turducken.Happy Thanksgiving to all who celebrate--

[nora]

Bless those folks at Pattern Review. I'm impressed how well that pattern seems to work without the period underpinnings. I love that LATE-Edwardian thing (no leg-o-mutton sleeves for me, thanks). This actually seems like a pattern that might look good on an "apple." Trolling for Edwardian fashions makes me think of that BBC series, "House of Eliott," about the two sisters who scrabble their way into haute couture during the teens...fun stuff. Oh, and I love me some spectator pumps (brown and cream - yum!) - they sound very worthy of designing an outfit around. The only ones I've seen lately that I like are the "Bridget" style at Moo Shoes, and I can't see paying $95 for synthetic...

[Notamermaid]

Has anyone tried a decades of style pattern? I love the 50s blouse - it seems like something I would actually wear, a lot, and avoids buttons, my personal waterloo. Patternreview had a review for an apron pattern, but that's it.Thanks!

[Oxanna]

Love the 1910's era! So many dress styles of that period, with tweaking, could be wearable today. I think a nice mix of modern Duro inspiration and 1910's inspiration would make a great outfit.

[caroline]

I might now be convinced to try that Decades of Style pattern... I have been eyeing it for ages, but wasn't sure how it would look as part of a 'modern' outfit. I should have thought to check Pattern Review (duh)

[Anonymous]

I love this Decades of Style pattern. In fact I have made it twice now and you can see the reviews on patternreview.comEveryone have a wonderful Thanksgiving. I would wear that turkey dress if I had it.

[Anonymous]

So my school is having a 1950's/60's day on friday...Anyone have any ideas for a quick costume? Happy thanksgiving!

[vespabelle]

5:02 Anon: find a cute round tablecloth and make a circle skirt. Or wear a pencil skirt with a sweater set. But you must wear low shoes! That top reminds me a lot of a dashiki too. (I guess it's the square looking sleeves.

[anna]

I haven't personally sewn a Decades of Style pattern, but I have seen many of them being worn up close and they turned out very well. The ladies who produce them are fanatical about ensuring they scale up to larger sizes well and that the directions are clear. They gave a great lecture on the history of vintage patterns at a workshop I atteneded last year, and I was very impressed with the depth of their knowledge.Erin, as penance for not posting this weekend, we must have photos next week!anna

[Rebecca]

I have had numberless dream ensembles that have died for lack of spectator pumps. I have googled until I was blue (and white) in the face and haven't found even one lousy, non-leather pair. Where should I look?

[Altissima]

Turducken !?!What kind of brilliant marketing department comes up with a food brand with the word TURD in it?I'm so glad we don't celebrate Thanksgiving in Australia!

[Floridaprincess]

Rebecca:Nordstorms has vintage lookng shoes right now. Quite a few pairs of spectator pumps right now. There is pair of 1920's looking shoes on their site. 2 straps with a louis heel. I wish they were cream colored but I will have to get them in black.

[Kelly]

Hello Erin.. That is a great idea for a dress. I would love to see the pictures when you are done. :) I think that adding the midriff band from the pattern before you attach the skirt is brilliant. The pictures of this pattern made up on patternsreview.com looked a bit short in the waist. So if you raised your arms you would see skin. I have been eyeing this pattern for awhile. I just might have to get it and make myself a dress too. I wonder how hard it would be to attach it to a eight gored skirt? I have a vintage skirt pattern from about this era that would work too.. Oh the possibilities. :) To Anon 5:02.. I say try a thrift shop for a circle skirt that you can attach one of those Iron on patches that looks like a poodle. Then wear a sweater set or a button up shirt with peter pan collar and put your hair up in a ponytail with a scarf tied around it. If you do not have saddle shoes you chould always wear white Keds with bobby socks. to Caroline.. I had the same problem when I went to patternsreview. what I did was type Decades of Style in the search field then when the different pattern styles came up I clicked on this pattern and the rewiew came up with it. Have a Wonderful Thanksgiving everyone.

[Anonymous]

I made the parisienne coat. It came out nice.

[fruitbat]

Maybe it's just me, but I think the v of the duro has a lot to do with what makes the otherwise lots-of-material dress flattering; I would worry about the rectangle created at the waist if you added a midriff band. Full disclosure - I'm an hourglass and bulked up with post-baby weight and have a grudge against things that make my waist even think about looking bigger at the moment ....

[Anonymous]

altissima:turkey stuffed with a duck stuffed with a chicken

[Robinson]

I like the Decades of Style patterns just because they have made an attempt to do away with the number in sizing. It's so much more pleasant to buy a size C pattern than a size 22. I know that the number doesn't mean anything but still...I'll be interested to see how this project turns out. I could see it looking absolutely fabulous on a "ruler."