Friday, August 14, 2015

Downton Abbey 1 Hour Dresses

After the success of my 1 hour dress, I've been day dreaming of more! I thought I'd try and find some inspiration from Downton Abbey and I found quite a few dresses that could be recreated using the 1 hour dress pattern.


This delightful white summer dress is darling! Add a peter pan collar and drapey bits to a dress made in cotton voile or lawn.


This version features a boat neck and gathers on the side panels. While I suspect this dress was hand embroidered, you might be able to find some pre-embroidered fabric.


 This dress would take a bit more effort to get to with the sailor collar and set in sleeves but you could merge a sailor blouse pattern with the 1 hour dress pattern to do something similar.


Sybil is rocking out a cute printed version of the 1 hour dress. It's a perfect pattern for a great print or fun embellishment. This one features longer sleeves and a matching underskirt which works for the earlier period when Sybil was still on the show.


Edith's, Mary's (seen above) and Rose's could all be made with the 1 hour dress pattern. Edith's dress features some pretty embroidery and a cute collar. Rose's dress has a slimmer skirt and has a great beaded pattern on it. And check out the cute bows at the hips!

The really key to these dresses is picking a light weight drapey fabric and then adding a special detail like embroidery or a print. With additional neckline and collar variations, the possiblities are endless! Which should I make next?

4 comments:

  1. Oo, I don't know, but I can't wait to see what you pick! Like you I am wary of the silhouette, but I can't resist a one hour pattern!!!

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  2. Sybil's dress would look so great done in one of the Egyptian style prints you've been using lately!

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  3. It really is a versatile basic pattern! I like cutting the skirt off at the (drop)waist and attaching a hanker-chief style skirt (which is just an offset square of fabric with a hole in the middle, I have a sketch on my blog) or a circle skirt for more volume. I have been wanting to make a super simple black silk 1 hour dress and then make different collars that can be tucked in around the neckline or attached with hidden snaps for a variety of looks. I wish I could find gorgeous beaded fabrics like the dresses on Downton are made of! I have considered buying vintage Indian sari fabrics for this purpose as they often have pretty beading. Good luck with your next 20's project!

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  4. They're all really lovely and completely elegant. The printed version Sybil is rocking appeals to me a lot, but I'm sure that versions of any of them would look fantastic on you, dear gal.

    ♥ Jessica

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