Staple Dress Love

So . . . I don't know, maybe two months ago, I bought The Staple Dress pattern from April Rhodes.  Then I bought two voile prints (both Anna Maria Horner), and laid them out on my kitchen table and cut.  You can almost hear the hallelujah chorus of how much I enjoyed this one, and no I cut this one BEFORE I bought those shears that are better than butter.  It was quick, easy, pure instant gratification, and with the way the dress falls and is cut larger to smaller Nessa still fits in it.  Even better now, as I filled it before.  Yes, yes I did.  Everybody should have a dress, or two, in the wardrobe that can just be thrown on, paired with a belt (or not), and sported on the go.  One of those simple pleasures of life that make you go, "Ahhh, ain't life sweet today?" when you have a stack of shit falling on you and no end is in sight.

I think the hardest part of this dress is having the patience to tape together the printed pattern (though, word on Instagram via April's feed is that she's going into printed patterns).  So, my rambling point: well, shit, this is one easy, peasy throw together dress for a versatile and comfortable wear.  

It doesn't look like much, huh? Well . . . there's French Seams at the shoulders and pockets.  Shearing at the waist . . . so easy.  And about those French Seams: don't let anyone tell you that they are hard.  French Seams are easier than eating a candy bar.  Sew the two pieces wrong sides together at 1/4 of inch, trim to 1/8th, press down as it would be for a regular seam line, sew your seam line with right sides together (I think I just used 1/2 here), then press the newly encased seam to the back and edge stitch.  I could probably go into more detail on that, but April has a how-to in the pattern in case you need one.  Seriously, French Seams are EASY.  I was terrified of them for years, and then  . . . well, I said fuck it and tried it.  Yup.  They provide shape and reinforcement in spots you need it.  

Here's a shitty--or artsy, depending on your take--photo of the French Seams done.  

The pattern calls for one line of shirring, like this one here . . . So easy.  So simple.  On my second one, the gray number, I did three rows.  A little mix up of things . . . can't decide if I like one or three rows better.  Oh . . . there are biased bindings on the neck and sleeves, which you cut straight from the fabric.  Again, EASY.

  

And I even put my label in these.  No, I am not selling what I make.  Nope.  I decided to splurge, and be all stuck up and snooty, and put labels in my handmades.

My fabric was 60" wide, so I had a long piece leftover on both dresses.  I used it to make an infinity scarf: one for me, one I gave away.  Yes, I kept the purple one since I love deep, funky purple shades like a crack fiend adores a fix.  

About the only downside is my voile wrinkles a bit, oh well.  The pockets are perfect, but I do have to say . . . they are for your hands people.  Don't fill them with shit so you look like you have gun sacks hanging from your frame.  Of course, that will also distort the lines of the dress and make you look slumpy!  No slumpy Bitches.  

  

Here's some of the photo feed I took this morning for Me Made May, as Mr. Fairytale was at work before the birds and even though I have a sweet camera my NYC apartment doesn't leave a lot for photo shoots so my dying phone sufficed. And, no, I did not wear my Birks to work today.  Though, I should have!  I walked the monster dog in them this morning, and then I wore my Aldo platform sandals that I got in 2008 at the outlet sale for ten bucks.  They've seen lots of street time, and  . . . holy shit, never wear them on a day when you know your office is on the second floor with a staircase at about a 45 degree angle.  Better yet, when you know every student on the ENTIRE campus is going to come running, and crying, and laughing and . . . Yea, you get the picture.  Anywho, while I love those shoes the heals are scuffed all to hell and the leather has a wear spot.  Booo! I don't think they are surviving another season. 

The point: a great dress for days when everything turns to OMG! OMG! OMG!

Like my artsy verses . . . well, never mind.  Yes, those are my running shoes in the background.  

I had every intention of posting a better pick tonight, even showing wrinkles of the day, but like the classy chick I am I spilled lunch on me and there's a spot on the center hem of the front.  Stain stick, you are my friend.  

Here's a view of the grey, in boots and tights. Though, you saw this from a MMM roundup.  

And that, my dears, is your diabtribe of sewing of a Staple Dress.  Tis, tis . . . Now to have the time to finish my second pair of Thurlows.