Contrast stripe easy denim shift dress

Contrast stripe easy denim shift dress

• 4.23.2015

Three things.

1. It's been warm here, like really warm. 83 degrees. I'm making dresses again!
2. Denim dresses are great. So easy to wear, playful, carefree, neutral so they go with everything. Last year I made this looser one and this classic sundress shape one.
3. This latest dress project was inspired by this striped linen sheath dress by Lou & Grey by LOFT, long sold out. It came out last summer but these images have popped up here and there this year, and with the warm-but-not-scorching weather, I thought a comfy short-sleeved sheath dress would be perfect for the season. But, I don't have striped linen, and what you find in stores is often a little too lightweight for a dress. I did have pinstripe denim!

Source/Source

I used a fave basic pattern, Simplicity 2584, and cut it short and used the skirt panels from Burda 6853 (which I also used on this dress). I cut a pocket freehand.

I wanted to cut it against the grain for the main body and cut the skirt with the grain (stripes up and down), but I either forgot or didn't have enough fabric. (Cutting out is the hard part!)

It's really just fun to sew on a sturdy, medium-weight fabric like this denim. It's crisp and does just what you tell it to as you sew and press.

Loose enough, it pulls over the head! No zipper!

Very comfy! It was great to wear out to dinner Sunday evening!

Bag: Nine West (similar). Necklace: Old Navy. Hat: F21 (similar). Sandals: Target (they come in wide online!). Dress: DIY!

Hooray for upcoming dress season!