I just love April Rhodes and I’m so excited she asked me to be a part of the blog hop launching her first printed (and PDF) pattern, the Staple Dress. Surely you must have seen it by now? Every blogger in sew-iverse seems to be sporting this very wearable frock! I posted about it in my Collage blog party here, so I’ll spare you a re-post. This dress sincerely rocks. It is an everyday dress for every body shape. You’re going to make this dress in every fabric (and most especially voile) and wear it all the time. It is super flattering and comfortable.
So what with it being summer and all, and what with all the Lego all over my house and puzzles covering the dining table, and what with the lack of a live-in nanny or housekeeper or cook, I am kind of busy in the best way having time-IN with my family. So, I damn well knew I had to do this post and I waited until way, way too late to attempt to make a dress, and I’ll tell you something–it didn’t matter! It comes together so fast that you only need a couple of hours. And what with me being a pathological rule-breaker and unable to follow a pattern (even though I can write them) I had to make a few adjustments:
- I sewed mine in tissue paper thin, sheer t-shirt knit.
- Don’t do that.
- I have never sewn with t-shirt knit, let alone sheer, thin t-shirt knit.
- If you sew things, you should use pins.
- Pinning is a great, great idea when you are sewing with thin, sheer knit that you have never sewn with before.
- I didn’t add pockets.
- I didn’t add facings because I sorta kinda (in my own non-serger way) overlocked the edges with a zigzag stitch.
- It is so sheer that it is probably the world’s first Staple Dress nightgown/bathing suit cover-up. But I LOVE it.
- I won’t show you close-ups because you’d fall off your chair at the shoddy workmanship…see above part about lack of nanny, puzzles and Lego everywhere, need I mention it again that I am taking time-IN with my kids?
- Lastly, it is hot in Arizona in case you were wondering. Just saying.
- My dog ate my Staple Dress.
- Oh, I also cut the neckline a little wider so as to be more open and flowy because of the lingerie-like material.
So leave a comment here by July 18th and one lucky winner will get their very own paper copy of the Staple Dress pattern! Hurrah!
See the artsy filters on the photos of my dress below? They are hiding a multitude of sewing sins!
Here is the Staple Dress that April made for me with my new fabric, COLLAGE. (Scatter in Bauhaus Red). I am in love with it.
All gorgeous and amazing photos of the COLLAGE stuff are courtesy of Jill McNamara. |
Thanks for the belly laugh! Looks like a dress pattern even I could sew. I like the high waist (I have stubs for legs), and I really like it in the red Scatter. Thanks for the chance.
Loved hearing all about your journey making this dress. Sounds a lot like my dressmaking skills. Thanks for the giveaway. Pretty sure a novice like me could make this dress.
I love the dress pattern. Stunning!!
this post cracked me up. I’d love to make this dress.
Hilarious. Glad you got a wearable dress and the dog got a new tug toy! I’d love to sew one for myself!
I’d love to make the dress for both of my daughters.
It DOES look very adaptable.
What material did you use in the pic with the belt and brown boots? That one I HAVE to do. So fabulous. I love them all.
Thanks for the laugh! I would love to make this dress! Thanks for the giveaway!
You are too cute. And so are the dresses (including the one you made). I’d love to win this pattern. It’s hot in southern Arizona, too, so it looks like it would be just the thing. Thanks!
I’m SO really to make one! ��
I love the sheerness of your dress! I would love to make my own, so many variations 🙂
Your dress is pretty!! I can’t wait for Collage to arrive in stores so I can make my very own Staple dress using your fabric. Fun post!! Enjoy the rest of your stay in!!
You are too funny. I love your dress regardless of how you made it. I can guarantee you that mine would have turn out worse than yours and I don’t even have an excuse for not having kids or legos. You inspired me to make one and enjoy your time-in with your kids.
too funny! love hearing about the missteps…seems that is all i do! well, when sewing clothing…but ive never actually sewn clothing, but im sure this list is what i would end up with if i did! (good thing my mom is around for clothing sewing!) i do adore the dress. thanks for a chance.
you get big kudoes for fabric selection. And for bravery – an admirable quality. Mostly, I appreciate your artistic contributions to this industry that I love. Still waiting for Collage to hit my store.
Hahaha, you are funny…sounds a lot like our house ��. Your dress is pretty! I want to win a copy of the pattern to give to my mom to get her to sew for herself- this sounds like a nice easy project to start out with!
My birthday is July 17th, I’m thinking that winning this would be a great gift!
Your sewing process made me laugh so much! It sounds like stuff I’d do…
I love that pattern! You don’t give yourself enough credit – you can break rules and still have it come out fine. (At age 64, I’m learning that lesson). Would love to win this pattern and make it for my daughters. Thank you!
Look how much you have learnt from the process! Hopefully I have the same opportunity!
the dress turned out great! i love it! thanks for the chance to win
You did a great job! And- you are funny. bonus! 🙂
The dress turned out great in the end, I love the neckline! Love the pattern too, thanks for the chance to win!
Love the red dress! Thanks for the chance to win the pattern. I want to start sewing clothes again after a 20+ year break and this looks do-able.
The beach cover up is cute but I really love the one with yr collage fabric.
Despite its shortcomings I love it! Rules are made for breaking. 🙂 Also love the collage one too.
I love the neckline on yours – it looks super comfy!
Would love to have my hands on this pattern!
I love your version. You were very brave to try to sew with a knit, let alone a tissuey-thin knit.
Loved your post! LOVE your fabric and would love to win this pattern!
me. me. me. i hack every pattern i make too. i cant help it. you, btw look gorgeous as ever. all that family time agrees with you. until school starts back up…
This looks like a fabulous pattern! Thanks for a chance to win! 🙂
bcgeates at netbistro dot com
I love the pattern!
This looks like such a great pattern. I’d love to give it a try.
Beautiful! Thanks for the chance to win!
What a perfect pattern for a quick wardrobe update! 🙂
Fabulous! especially in the red ‘Collage’ fabric!
I wonder if I’m lucky this summer! 🙂
thanks for the chance!
That pattern looks so comfy, although I don’t know if I would be able to do it because I’ve never sewn any clothes at all…
Terrific giveaway, thanks for the chance to win!
I so love this pattern! I hope I win! Thanks.
The Collage fabric is fabulous in this pattern! Thank you for the change to win! I would love to make my college daughter a dress or two..
Love your honesty! And I always appreciate the ‘how-not-to’s’ anyone is willing to share with me, to save me some of the mistakes I will likely make!
Thanks for the great tips! I love your dress though, I think it looks great!
Pretty dress and pretty fabric. Thanks for the chance to win!
“everyday dress for an everyday body” . . . that’s me. thanks for the giveaway.
The dress looks quite comfortable. Comfortable is a number one priority for me. I may end up making a whole lot of these in a whole lot of colors. — soparkaveataoldotcom
You can never have too many nightgowns in my book:) The dress in the Collage print is striking. I definitely need some of that fabric!
I like the wider neck you’ve done! And the red fabric looks fantastic too.
Perfect beach cover up! And the Collage fabric is gorgeous.
I think your dress looks fantastic on you, but I can see that you definitely need the dress underneath!
Thanks for the giveaway!
lisejackson000 at gmail dot com
I’ve really been wanting to try this pattern out!
awesome dress. i love it in the red collage fabric. thanks for hosting the giveaway
jennifer.fraunfelder at gmail dot com
Wow! Fabulous and thanks for the giveaway! mlower03 at yahoo dot com
Well, it certainly looks comfortable. Love the wide neck! Thanks for the chance to win!
Yes please!
Margie
Margiedicroce(at)rogers(dot)com
Adorable!! Haha, I like the sheer, it makes it look so different! Fingers crossed!!
katy plattner at gmail.com
I think this would totally be a work and out/about dress for me… I love it!
So beautiful! I love your version… it looks so comfy! And there can never be enough casual, every-day dresses in the closet, right?
I love this pattern. Your version is cute and I love the red one.
Would LOVE to try out this pattern!!
I love the red one-it looks so cute on you!
I have committed most of those sewing sins, sometimes all in an afternoon. Thanks
Your version is nice I’d love to have a copy of this pattern. good luck to all!
I think your coverup looks great with the slip under it.
I love the material you chose! Crossing my fingers!
oh, so want to win this patterm
That version w the collage fabric is awesome! Would love a chance to win, thanks;) (were you just kidding about your dog eating your dress if not what a major bummer!)
I’d love to have a chance to make this dress!
I can’t wait to make this dress!!
Yours is beautiful! This would be my first dress! Eek! Thanks for the giveaway!
your dresses are so pretty!!
Great Fabric choices! I would love to make this dress!!
oh, goodness!!! i loved reading this post!!! you sound just like me… sometimes jumping in is the best way to learn a MULTITUDE of things. (like the pins… oh, i HATE using pins!) fabulous… i feel certain you’ll make another!
I like it. These pictures convinced me; I do need this pattern.
I’m thinking you ROCK that tissue paper thin t-shirt material! Artsy filters be damned – it’s great. I’d like to do just as bad a job as you did. LOL.
Jennifer in KS
Oooo I’m itching to make this… I even have the fabric I’d like to make it in. Thanks for a generous giveaway and I do like your collage fabric dress.
I LOVE the filmy version of this dress! Looks like an awesome pattern for a beginner like myself.
I hear you about the Lego! I have no room to sew now that my 4 year son has taken over the dining table with his Lego creations. Anyways, I love this dress so fingers crossed for a win.
I would love to try this pattern!
I think I could actually manage to make this! I would love to have a go, so fingers crossed for winning the pattern!
Seeing as my sewing table is also my kitchen table, a dress that can be sewn up between mealtimes would be perfect! Thanks for the giveaway.
stellieg at telkomsa dot net
Yes please!
The dress made for you is just rockin’!!!! Can’t wait to make mine! Thanks for the chance to win!
I love the dress pattern, I love the Collage fabrics even more, but your comment about the dog ate your dress was the best!!!
Thanks!!!
Oh, I love this dress! Thanks for the chance to win and a smile first thing in the morning.
I love this dress too and it sounds like we have the same crazy sewing style.