Advance 7931, Navy Corduroy Dress

This Advance dress is the first piece of some fall pieces that I'll be making this year.  I chose this pattern because I've had it for a while and never made it up, and I've been wanting a corduroy shirtdress since I saw one last year for sale on Anthropologie's website.  This one isn't an exact copy, but you really can't go wrong with a designer shirtdress pattern from 1956. 

This one is designed by Eddy George of Casual Time of California:

There are some nice details to this dress, and I'll share a few today and then we'll take a look at others when I work on the dress.  First, this dress has gathers for a nice shape in the back bodice and three darts for bust shaping in the front.  I've seen one and even two darts to shape the front bodice, but not three.  There are no side bust darts, either.

Second, the skirt has 8 gores and darts to shape the hip area.  This gives a much nicer, slimmer look than yards and yards of fabric gathered to a tiny waist.  I've done those sorts of patterns before and unless you're really slim, they visually add weight where most people don't want it.  This is better than even pleats, and yes I've done patterns with pleats and with the gore/dart combo and the gore/dart combo is the best of the three.  Third, notice that there is a front button placket - no side zipper!  Fourth, take a look at that shaped belt - that's a cool shape I hadn't seen before - we'll look more at that later.

I've chosen a navy fine wale corduroy for the dress because I happen to like corduroy, and it is a nice fabric for layering in fall and winter here in New England.  I can wear it with a turtleneck and tights or without or add a cardigan or not, too. 

There will be more details as we go along!  Tomorrow:  adjusting the pattern and cutting everything out. 

Parting Shot: First Day of School.  Today was the children's first day of school.  My daughter is now in 8th grade and my son in 5th grade.