Date Night Dress by April Rhodes

I'm continuing my trend of pushing my comfort zone and trying new things.  Today I am going to show you the Date Night Dress by April Rhodes.  I was first made aware of April Rhodes's patterns in the blogging world when she released her Staple Dress.  It was one of those patterns that looked good on everyone I saw in it.  So, as I organized this series, I'll be honest - I asked for the Staple Dress.  Can I just say that I am sooooooooooo happy April asked if I would review her newer Date Night Dress instead!!!

I was a bit leery of how this dress would fit my curves.  I've never worn a dress without a defined waist line, I also rarely leave the house with my knees showing.  And then there was my fabric choice - a silky cotton I picked up at Joanns in a large VIBRANT floral print.  I knew I was headed towards an epic dress, or an epic failure.

I'm going with epic dress - and let's just say it was epic-ly cold to be wearing  a flimsy dress outside - I'm still not warm!

The dress has flutter sleeves that are incredibly flattering to arms everywhere.  There are no closures, no elastic, no difficult sewing... and the results are a beautiful dress that you can whip up during nap time.  The pattern also includes a slip pattern - I chose not to make the slip, but that meant I needed to wear a tank top under the dress.  The armscye of the sleeve is open to the rib cage, so you need something to cover your bra.  I'm thinking a future version I make might be a lace dress over a solid colored slip, that would be gorgeous!

Now it is important to think through your fabric choice with this dress.  You don't want a fabric that is going to cling to you (that isn't cling - that is 15mph winds!).  If you are doing the slip underneath, you can go pretty sheer on your dress, but if like me you aren't making the slip - you need to make sure your fabric isn't see through.  You can use both wovens and knits in this pattern, but you need to watch the drape.  I would not make this in a traditional quilting cotton, but cotton lawn, voile, and silky cottons (like I used) will all work well.

Details:

  • Sizes XS - XXL (I made the L top and graded out to the XL for the hips and skirt)
  • Flutter Sleeve
  • Shirttail hem (slight high low)
  • Scoop neckline with back box pleat
  • Included Slip Pattern
  • Prints on 30 B&W pages that go together easily
  • Beginner Sewing Level
  • Clear instructions with pictures to walk you through
  • This pattern uses french seams so that you don't need a serger

I think this will be my Easter Dress... good thing Easter isn't until the end of April - I need it to warm up to wear this baby!