I wear your Grandma’s clothes…

Last week I mentioned I’d bought The Staple Dress pattern by April Rhodes and was busy cutting it out.  I bought a few fashion fabrics last week at JoAnn and I’m ready to build a new summer wardrobe of dresses, skirts and tops.

But before I cut into that $9/yd fabric I wanted to make sure the dress would fit me without any big alterations needed.  So I ran to Walmart and found both a rayon and linen-like fabric for only $3/yd and bought them as muslin options.

I figured if they turned great, then I’d have an extra dress, but if not—I’d only be out $10.  I decided to start  

with the rayon because I felt it better fit this dress style.

I have to say first and foremost that April has written one heck of a pattern.  The directions are simple, clear and straight-to-the point.  She addresses issues you might be concerned with and the fit is spot-on.

All pictures are taken by me with my camera/tripod/timer--please excuse bad photography and less than stellar hair!  

I am usually a medium to large depending on the cut.  In RTW sizes, I’m between a 10 and 12 most of the time.  Based on my measurements, I made a large just to be sure and the fit is great.

She mentions before you shirr the waist not to be alarmed if it looks like a hospital gown and I laughed because it really did.  But I did 4 rows of shirring a little above my natural waist and I think it pulled the dress in just right.

I opted for the straight hem on this dress, but a high-low hemline and directions are included.  I also included the pockets because I think everything should have pockets.  just saying…otherwise I have to hold my phone and that just gets old.  ;)

When I got finished, I really wasn’t sure about it.  Not the dress itself, but the fabric.  I was hesitant whether I had crossed the "vintage-chic" line over into Grandma’s dress.  I asked Chris and he said he liked it, but all I could think of was that Macklemore song Thrift Shop. (This is the clean version.)

So I wore it this morning thinking “I wear your Grandma’s clothes.  I look incredible!”  A friend assured me it was right on trend, but I figured I like it, so I guess it doesn’t really matter anyway.

I wore it today with a belt over the shirring and matching sandals, but I think it would be really cute with boots and a sweater too. 

This dress is simple—it’s a staple.  There’s nothing fancy about it, but it’s just right, you know?  I can see many more of these in my future.  I’d like to try a sleeveless one, but that is gonna require some thinking, and I’ve never doubted that I’m a better pattern-follower than a pattern-maker so we’ll see.

Are you a seasonal creator?  I tend to knit in the fall and winter and get the urge to make dresses and skirts as soon as the weather warms up.  What about you?  

And have you ever used fabric you weren't quite sure about?  Would you Rock Your Grandma's Style?  Don't tell me I'm alone???