The perfect comfy lightweight denim dress - the Staple Dress and the Perfect Pattern Parcel #3!

The perfect comfy lightweight denim dress - the Staple Dress and the Perfect Pattern Parcel #3!

• 6.10.2014

I found the perfect use for the Staple Dress pattern by April Rhodes, part of the third Perfect Pattern Parcel series!

I often admire simple, loose natural-waisted dresses at stores, and while I'm sure they're easy to make, you don't often see patterns for them, so I don't usually get a chance to sew them myself at home. So the Staple Dress pattern, with its comfy fit and elastic waist, was a perfect one to try!

Here are some inspirations. Doesn't a lightweight denim or dress-weight chambray just seem perfect for an easy early summer dress?

1. Gap 2. J.Crew 3. Old Navy 4. Madewell (I know this one's not the same loose/elastic waist,
but it's so iconic and popular and still that comfy, slightly-structured look!)

I knew I wanted the soft, washed look of a slouchy elastic or gathered waist dress, so I pre-washed my denim. (I don't always pre-wash fabric if it's not a natural fiber or if I know I'll never machine wash it, but it helps in cases like this.)

The pattern was super simple and fun to sew! I love the French seam finish at the shoulder seams, very nice touch. PDF patterns are so great because the photo steps are so clear and easy to follow compared to a drawing in a paper pattern. April did a great job on this one!

The size I cut ended up being HUGE, so I added decorate vertical tucks on either side of the center front, and a big inward-facing tuck at the center back.

Handy pockets, too!

Hard to tell, but the fabric is actually a very lightweight denim (twill weave versus straight weave).  Also worth noting the difference between chambray and denim--here is a great picture example!

Diagonal weave= Denim
Criss-cross weave= Chambray

Source

A great easy project!

Check out Perfect Pattern Parcel #3 while it's for sale! It includes:

• Bombshell Swimsuit by Closet Case Files 
• Jorna Tank Dress by Jenna Brand
• Staple Dress by April Rhodes
• Poppy Tunic by Make it Perfect
• Water Bottle Tote by Radiant Home Studio
• Bonus Pattern: Choose a price of $28 or greater for Parcel #3 and you will automatically also be sent the Bonus Pattern: Prefontaine Shorts for Women by Made with Moxie.

About Perfect Pattern Parcel:
Here at Perfect Pattern Parcel, we believe in supporting independent pattern designers. It’s our opinion that indie patterns are just, well, better than big box patterns, and we’re pretty sure our customers think so too. So, we allow customers to show their support in naming their own price for each Parcel. We also encourage customers to allocate part of their Parcel price to the charity Donorschoose.org in order to help classrooms in need. Pattern Parcel donates all profits after expenses from Parcel sales to the charity as well. Together we've raised almost $4,500 towards eliminating educational inequality.


Visit the other Perfect Pattern Parcel reviewers here...

Perfect Pattern Parcel #3 Inspiration Tour Schedule:

Friday, May 30 Sew Busy Lizzy || Pienkel || SeamstressErin

Saturday, May 31 Design By Lindsay || the Brodrick design studio || Cookin' and Craftin'

Sunday, June 1 Diary of a Chainstitcher || a happy stitch || Disaster in a Dress || sew Amy sew

'So, Zo... What do you know?'

Sunday, June 8 oonaballoona || A Stitching Odyssey || Sew Charleston

Monday, June 9 Sew Sweetness || True Bias || Ozzy Blackbeard

Tuesday, June 10 Welcome to the Mouse House || Sew Caroline || Adventures in Dressmaking

Wednesday, June 11 Peneloping || YoSaMi || sewVery

Thursday, June 12 la inglesita || La Pantigana || Sanae Ishida

Friday, June 13 Seamster Sewing Patterns || Paunnet