The Staple Dress is Here!

We have been anxiously awaiting the release of the printed version of April Rhodes sewing pattern, The Staple Dress and it is here! The Staple Dress has been available through April Rhodes' website as a downloadable pdf for a while and it has reached near cult status in the online world of sewing bloggers. It is now available for the first time in print version and is available right here at Fancy Tiger Crafts.

Claudia, Caitlin and Jaime have each made a Staple Dress already!

The Staple Dress has become so popular for a few reasons. It is easy for beginner sewists to feel confident trying out, but experienced sewists can also enjoy the quick gratification of this dress. The easy, drapey style means fit is not such an issue and the shirred-elastic waist band can be placed where it will be most flattering on different body shapes. The pattern comes with two hem options, a straight hem, or a drop hem and both look adorable. This dress sews up quick with only two pattern pieces (plus pockets if you choose) and bias facing pieces to finish the arm and neck openings. April's awesome instructions guide you through using French seams so even though it is a beginner pattern, you can have a professionally finished garment.

We have been obsessed with this pattern for a while, so we have already made a few. The first one I made is out of our Brussels Washer - the beautiful, yarn-dyed, rayon/linen fabric from Robert Kaufman. This is the most comfortable dress I own and I want to live in it all summer long. I chose the dropped hem option to give the dress a little more flair. Because the weight of the fabric is a bit heavier (although still very drapey) I used a sewn-in 1/4" elastic for my waist band instead of doing the shirring.

Caitlin made her Staple dress out of the new Chambray Union fabric. This light weight dobby chambray is the perfect weight for the summer. She made the straight hem which looks great and accessorized the dress with a belt. Super cute!

Sewing instructor Claudia Miller also made a Staple Dress. She made hers out of Amy Butler's Rayon Challis. This fabric has excellent drape and flow, which looks amazing as a Staple Dress!

I loved my first Staple dress so much I decided to make a second one out of Liberty of London fabric. The Liberty lawn sewed up like a dream for this dress and I love it.

The Staple Dress is a great beginner pattern that looks flattering on many different people. We can't wait to see your versions of it. A lawn, voile, rayon, or linen is going to be the best for this pattern. We have tons of fabric options available, so please let us know if you need any recommendations next time you stop in.