After my (many, many) successes with Deer and Doe's free Plantain pattern, I bit the bullet and ordered some more Deer and Doe patterns from their shop. Their plan worked! I am now a committed D&D customer. I bought Sureau, Datura and Belladone, specifically.
First up: Sureau!
I thought there were lots of similarities between the Sureau pattern and Megan Nielsen's Darling Ranges dress, but I was hoping that my Sureau wouldn't ultimately be balled up on the shelf out of frustration like my attempt at Darling Ranges. I abandoned my Darling Ranges after some seriously wonky dart issues and haven't had the guts to tackle it again. In contrast, the Sureau bodice fit right out of the envelope... win! It's hard to tell in the print fabric, but here's a zoom-in on the bodice front and back:
I didn't make any changes to the pattern with the exception of lengthening the skirt slightly (2", because I am an old lady) and using a shorter zipper (9", because that's all I had in the appropriate color). Also, I stay-stitched the neckline at the beginning to make sure it didn't get bent out of shape (good thinking, Meg, pat on the back.). I left off the bodice buttons because I was concerned that it was veering in the Little House on the Prairie direction, which nobody wants (ok, maybe somebody wants it, but not me). The fabric is a lovely cotton floral from BelleBoo here in Bangkok.
I like it best with a belt:
I like this pattern a lot: the bodice is great and pretty flattering, methinks. The sleeves may be a leeeetle baggy, but nothing terrible. I am already scheming about what other ways I can use this bodice since it fits so well!! I wonder how it would look:
a) with short sleeves (this short sleeve version from the Nerdy Seamstress looks pretty awesome);
b) in a solid fabric to show off the bodice gathering details more;
c) as a peplum top (the pattern envelope has a drawing of a peplum top, but no "cut here for peplum" line or any instructions.... I wonder if I could substitute a more circle-skirt style peplum from another pattern, like Hawthorn or Vogue 8815?)
