Duro Junior

So this is my version of simplicity 3875, henceforth understood as Duro Junior.

I understand I haven’t been publishing about the Duro lately, however that doesn’t mean I haven’t been believing about the Duro. I was looking for a lighter, slimmer version to wear when it’s truly hot: the original Duro can be a great deal of fabric.

This pattern didn’t originally jump out at me as a great candidate, mainly since the jewel-neck version on the pattern envelope had these dumb bit string ties which handled to obscure the lines of the bodice. however when I erased those (mentally) I decided to provide it a shot.

Although not really difficult, this pattern is still a large PITA to put together. The back of the gown has no midsection seam (just a lengthwise back seam), so, in order to surface the neck edge with the bias dealing with before the front panels are attached, you have to sew the front bodice pieces to the back bodice pieces at the shoulder method early in the process. Which means for the rest of the construction, you’re shoving that long back piece out of the way. Arrgh.

I was able to add pockets, too, in the side seams, although lining them up when stitching that seam was a bit tricky. There’s a single notch to match the front skirt to the back at the side seam, so I put my pocket piece on the front skirt pattern where I believed it should go, then cut a corresponding notch on the pocket — that assisted it match up quite well.

The original pattern has the tie hanging down the back, however I prefer the method it looks brought around to the front.

Here’s the back view:

And here’s a closeup of the front:

I haven’t hemmed the skirt, or the sleeves, BOTH of which were about three inches as well long (PITA, pt. 3). I ended up cutting a 12 in the bodice as well as a 14 in the skirt, which was more or less the right size; if I had to do this once again I’d perhaps cut a 10 in the bodice (for narrower shoulders) as well as add some length to it, as well as a 16 in the skirt for a bit bit more fullness. Although that would necessitate buying two copies of the pattern (PITA, pt. 4).

The material is Michael Miller, maybe? I bought it at City Quilter a gazillion years ago, I believe … (I truly should begin labeling my material with where as well as when as well as from whom I bought it, shouldn’t I?) I believe it’s a bit as well rigid for this pattern, however it was a great tradeoff between material I might bear to screw up as well as material I would want to wear if it really turned out okay. I believe next time I will make it in some stripey seersucker, or perhaps even in this silk noil I have lying around …

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