Cambria Duster with DH Fabrics & Co

Today I’m so excited to show you the duster I’ve been diligently working on, made in the most lush cupro/viscose blend c/o DH Fabrics & Co.

Dusters add that ‘3rd piece’ element to an outfit that gives dimension and drama. Depending on the weight of the fabric, they can act as a part of the wearable look or as a jacket to keep warm. Here I styled this duster with high-waist vintage jeans, a simple fitted scoop neck tee, spotted belt, vintage boots, and a metallic earring.

The Pattern: The Cambria Duster by Friday Pattern Company
The Fabric: Cupro/viscose blend in powdered blue c/o DH Fabrics & Co
The Process: The Cambria Duster is a pattern I've been wanting to make for a while, so when Tammy at DH Fabrics reached out, I thought this was the perfect chance to create a spring layering piece.
I chose this lightweight cupro blend in a gorgeous shade of powdered blue. Spring pastel colors aren’t typically in my aesthetic, but mixing this icy blue with my warm tones is something I can get on board with!
As an added challenge for myself, I decided to complete all inner seams of the garment with self-made bias binding. This really put my sewing skills to the test! Between the cupro being a more slippery fabric AND binding every seam…this duster took every bit of my focus. I’m really pleased with the outcome and I’m glad I bound the seams because it gives the garment a very professional finish. I will definitely be trying this technique again in the future!
Working with the cupro/viscose felt a bit like working with silk. So if you are new to these types of fabric, I would suggest reading some tips on the best ways to cut and sew your garment together.
Modifications: I sewed a straight size small but in the future I would make a medium. The shoulders feel a little tighter than I would like, but as long as I wear something fitted underneath, things should be alright. But if you are unsure about sizing, my suggestion would be to size up given this is an outer piece.
The only modification I made to the original design is how I approached the hemming. I simply sewed a line of stitches 1/8 inch from the raw edge to use as an ironing guide. Then I turned it under twice and edge stitched. I find this technique extremely helpful when sewing more delicate fabrics or hemming along a curve.
Styling & Versatility: There were moments when I wondered if this duster was just going to look like a silky robe. And to be honest…I could probably use it for that. :) But I think with jeans and a tee, this looks like an intentional layering piece. While it’s still cold, I might try layering it with a light-weigh wool sweater underneath. I think this duster would pair well with my black slip dress and strappy heels for a summer date night as well! I’m excited to experiment and pair it with warm browns and dusty pinks for spring too.
Overall Review: This was one of my more challenging makes for sure. BUT I really love the outcome and I’m proud that I pushed through! I’m learning how to work with a variety of fabric types and that feels really good. The pattern was wonderful, and the instructions excellent. I definitely want to try making this again in something more medium-weight like a linen.
Thank you to DH Fabric & Co for the lovely cupro and to my amazing photographer Jill, who braved ridiculously cold conditions to get these photos for me! <3