A staple Staple Dress!

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I’ve been umming and ahhing over the Staple Dress pattern by April Rhodes (which sadly doesn’t seem to be available as a PDF now but us still available through some shops) for a while now. It looks like exactly the sort of thing I’d love to wear and that would go great with leggings so perfect for the colder months but it also looks like the sort of thing that could be completely shapeless on me. What to do?!

Review of the Staple Dress sewing pattern by April Rhodes made in jersey by fabricandflowers

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In the end, I went for it, and I’m so glad I did! The Staple Dress is really quick to do – just five pieces, 9 if you add the pockets in which I did.

I think the longest part of making this dress was matching up the fabric on the fold – the pattern goes both horizontal and vertical so it had to be level, and I didn’t really want a white bird highlighting my chest (like headlights, if I got the placement wrong – eek!) so I took my time cutting it out.

Once cut out, it came together really quickly. Having read a couple of blog posts and after holding the pattern pieces up against myself I decided to lower the front neckline slightly to make it a bit more comfortable around the neck.

I also adjusted the drop hemline so that the front wasn’t quite as high up (I went mid-way between the front and back levels) as although I always admire them sometimes the difference in lengths makes me feel a bit schizophrenic…!!!

On a whim, I decided to hand-stitch the hem in place: I didn’t want a solid line of stitching around the bottom and sometimes it’s sociable to sit with Mr f&f of an evening!

So, would you like to see the finished dress?!

I love it and am so happy with the final fit, it’s so comfortable! I can see many more of these in my future and I may even try shirring on my next version.

So, Staple Dress pattern deets;

  • Pattern::: Staple Dress by April Rhodes, size XS
  • Fabric::: Bird Print Jersey (from Minerva Crafts)
  • Modifications:::
    • Lowered the front neckline by 1/2″
    • Re-drew the drop hem at the front (the highest point is halfway between original lines for the straight & drop hem).

Sx

Today’s sky ● bright blue & boiling hot…….again!!!

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8 Comments

  1. Hi Vicki,

    I’ve had a look, and sadly it looks like the PDF pattern isn’t available any more. It does still appear to stocked in some shops as a paper pattern, so maybe you can get it delivered to you?

    Thanks,

    S

  4. This is so lovely! I am pondering what size to make for myself. I did a muslin in a S and felt like it swallowed me. I took it in to an XS and like that much better…but I have total anxiety over cutting my Liberty fabric!!!

  5. Your dress is lovely, I love your fabric. I haven't come across this pattern before, so thanks for the link.

  6. The dress is fabulous and looks super great on you – all the better for the changes you made (I dropped by and took a look at the original pattern and really think you've improved on it). Another fabulous weather report too – can't be bad, have a great fqr weekend 🙂

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