The Silk Velvet Emery Dress and Pattern Giveaway!

Here’s my Emery Dance!

Because I am SO glad I completed the dress!

I never thought I would sew the longer sleeve version of the Emery dress but somehow, I think this dark purple silk velvet fabric (one of the 2 silk velvet fabrics I own) with a burnout floral border design begged to be match-made. Fact is, I have been looking for a design just like the Emery to use my border print fabrics! I am a serious border print hoarder but not so long ago, I realized most of my vintage pattern stash is filled with dresses with more than a handful of skirt pieces. Not so border print friendly indeed! But, the Emery dress pattern by Christine Haynes is perfect for border prints!

Working with silk velvet…that’s another story. All I can say is, sewing this project was full of dramatic moments. I was fortunate enough to have a fabulous pattern to work with (see my first version here), otherwise this could have ended up a UFO (unfinished object). Besides lengthening the bodice, the only pattern adjustment I made was to shorten the sleeves to elbow length.

While I’ve sewed with its cousin corduroy, it’s my first attempt sewing with any velvet. Cord was super easy to cut and sew. I’m not sure if all velvets behave badly but this one was a nightmare. It was slippery to cut, slippery to sew and I had to go at snail speed with the darts and pinned like there’s no tomorrow! Unlike most of my border print fabrics where the print is on the selvage, the border on this one appears on intervals across the fabric.  So, I’m really happy with how the burnout floral design matches perfectly at the side and back seams.  As with all my sewing projects nowadays, I cut all pieces on a single layer of fabric. I tried marking the back of the velvet with my usual fabric marking pens but they disappeared within minutes 😦 Unpicking this fabric can be a nightmare. Photographing details was tough too. I don’t foresee myself sewing with velvet for a long long time.

I used a pink silk organza for the bodice lining as it lends body to the otherwise very drapey velvet. I was left with some hand-stitching when I posted my last blog post but what happened next was unexpected. The zipper teeth at the skirt section came apart after I wore the dress to show my daughter! And I was still in the dress! I was trapped! I kinda panicked and didn’t know what to do. Hubby came home at the right time and suggested cutting the the zipper. Which was what we did to get me out of the dress. Fortunately, the cut only created a tiny hole on the seam allowance of the zipper, nothing time couldn’t ‘heal’. I panicked so much I think I cried a little so the first thing my seven-year old boy said to me when he got home from school today was, “Mama, next time please don’t cry because of your fabric.” This photo was taken when I eventually calmed down and was unpicking the lining, followed by the zipper. l bought a replacement zipper over the weekend but didn’t get to sew. The dress was finished this morning.

I am just too happy to finally finish this dress and to have used this fabric!

If you are looking for a dress pattern that’s vintage inspired, finishes beautifully, has lots of variation potential, in seam pockets and is fabulous for border print fabrics, you have to check out the Emery dress pattern! Christine is hosting a sewalong from late October with the Emery Parade happening 16 December.

Lots of time to think about the variations to sew. I’m gonna sew at least another version for the sewalong! (I’ve already cut the fabric 🙂 ) And here’s your chance to win a copy of the dress pattern for yourself and join in!

To participate, simply leave a comment and include your email address before 14 October 2013.  This is open to anyone, anywhere around the world. One winner will be selected by Random. org .

Have a blessed week!