During August we took a camping/walking trip in Cornwall… not too far from Truro. ‘Hmmm…. Truro’ I thought, I’ve heard of that before with the word ‘Fabrics’ afterwards. And so a fabric shopping expedition to Truro Fabrics was scheduled into our journey home (despite it not being exactly on the way home… the complete opposite direction in fact!).
Fabric: This lovely drapey viscose caught my attention because it is matt, no sheen or shine at all. The colours were ideal for beginning autumn/winter sewing. I immediately paired this fabric with the April Rhodes Staple Dress in my mind.
The dipped-hem version requires fabric with plenty of flow and movement while the style could be just as good with bare legs and flat shoes as with tights, boots and a chunky cardigan. Also it’s difficult to tell the right side of the fabric even close up – a good thing for dipped hems where some of the wrong side will be on show.
Pattern: The Staple Dress pattern is great for beginners and April really holds your hand through the pattern instructions if you need it. Personally I read them through once before beginning then only consulted the instructions again when I needed to add shirring to the waistline – this was a new technique for me.
Alterations: A very quick toile helped me to confidently remove an inch at each side seam and an inch from the hem of the pattern pieces before cutting into my fashion fabric. I made a fabric belt (above photo) but I prefer my tan leather belt (all other photos)
And I’ll leave you with this photograph of me finding it hilarious that it was such a bright day I couldn’t keep my eyes open!
Clipped Curves 
This is such a great dress. I love that it is seasonally-transitional – and I like the Truro word association (is the shop as lust-inspiring as the website?).
Thank you. Yes the shop is amazing upstairs. I started browsing but had to seek out a toilet before returning to the shop able to concentrate for what I knew would be some difficult fabric decisions so as not to blow the budget!!!
I’ve seen this pattern before but not sewn up. It’s very pretty! Great fabric choice it is all seasons wear.
Yeah, the pattern slipped my radar when it was originally released but I sniffed it out… better late than never. Perhaps in a few weeks time when the weather really turns I’ll take a ‘here’s how I’m wearing it now’ photograph!
very nice dress and great photoshoot! The location is looks very beautiful. Thanks for introducing this pattern as well!
Thanks. I was happy to pose while hubby got a bit more adventurous than usual with the photographs! It’s a nice walking area near to where we live. I thought the dress was well suited to a meadow-like backdrop.
lucky you to live near such a scenic place! it is the perfect location to photograph this dress:)
I have this pattern sitting on my desk right now! Yours looks so lovely, and definitely inspired me to get started on mine (after finishing a couple of other projects)!
What a lovely print. The dress looks great one you. A cool modern style that will work with pretty much any colour / print design! Looks like you are on to a winner here : )
Can’t wait to see version two…..
Very lovely dress! The shape is so flattering on you. The print colors are so perfect for Fall. I’m sure you’ll get lots of wear out of it. 🙂
Cute, cute, cute! I can totally see you wearing this with boots and tights in the the fall.
Really, really cute!!!!!
Lovely dress!
I too went to Cornwall for my hols, in August. I made 3 trips to Truro fabrics – I couldn’t stay away!
Pingback: More hacking than a cat with hair balls… | Clipped Curves
Pingback: New Skill: Pattern Hacking | The Monthly Stitch