


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!
Loving your funky shoes! Great dress too! It’s really a cute pattern with loads of potential
This is a cool vintage inspired dress. And your version is great.
I like the fabric, colouor and the skirt hem. On my sewing table a French jacket so no time for a dress.
Oh I love this! And I think I really love this dress design… I’ve got a border print stashed as well…
I know what you mean about photography velvet, as a craft magazine editor we used to discourage people making things from velvet as it’s so hard to shoot, the pile makes it swallow the light and the darker the fabric that harder it becomes.
Mauve colours used to be a no-no too as the printing process often turned it more grey than it was in reality… oh the things you learn!
Hi Adey, I love all your versions of the Emery so far, they convinced to make one as well. The bodice looks so well fitted on both your versions! So I would looove to win this pattern!
Yikes! I would have cried too. The dress turned out lovely despite its efforts to self destruct.
Oh wow, this is so pretty! It was definitely worth the zip-wrangling!
I’d love to take part in the sew-along, so thanks for the chance to win the pattern!
I would love to have the chance to sew up this dress, thank you for the opportunity!
Love both your dresses and those shoes…just darling 😉
I love the dress and those shoes!! It’s always heartening to read about persevering when a sewing project gets tough!
You are so right to dance and be happy because this dress is worth it! Can I also say how much I love those shoes!!!!
Love the dress…thank you for the giveaway
My email carlalissa35@hotmail.com
You look so lovely in the dress. I would love to try make one. Thanks for the giveaway.
That dress is gorgeous. Well done for persevering with the fabric!
This version is amazingly gorgeous. Congrats on beating the fabric into submission!
And thanks for the giveaway!
I would love to win this pattern! Your velvet frock seems worth dealing with the silk..
Gorgeous! I would never have thought to make a velvet dress 🙂 I would love to win this pattern:)
absolutely gorgeous! Love the longer sleeves – it just wouldn’t be the same with the short sleeves.
Beautiful, beautiful dress. Your fabric is absolutely stunning.
Thanks for the giveaway!
It was worth the headache! The finished dress is gorgeous!
You are a fine funny lady that really make me laugh out loud reading your blog
You look beautiful and classy in this dress
It’s amazing how your whole family gets involved in your sewing projects.
And are those dwarfs as heels for your shoes?
Hi Addy,
Thanks for the chance to win the Emery pattern. :0)
Treasa
ACK! Getting stuck in a dress is my worst nightmare! I’m so glad you managed to salvage the dress without ripping/cutting it!
I can’t help but think that the Emery dress just seems like the epitome of versatile dress patterns! I like every version of it I’ve seen, but I love this super luxe version of yours!
Your dress turned out beautifully, and those shoes!! Those are fabulous!
Are those Irregular Choice shoes you are wearing? They are fab. The dress is beautiful, you have really done it justice. I would love to win the pattern!
sewing with silk velvet is full of argh!!! but the payoff is sooooo wonderful. stunning as always. and those shoes, oh. my. WOW.
Wow – the velvet really makes the dress look very sophisticated – gorgeous!
Your dress turned out beautiful and I am glad you were able to fix the zipper situation. You always have the best fabric. I like the different Emery dress versions,It is a great pattern with many options. Thanks for sharing yours. I am planning on doing the sew-along.
Beautiful work as always! I find velvet nightmarish as well – yet what a fantastic result! You’d never know you had any issues. Gorgeous color.
Love the dress!
hjurgelis@yahoo.com
I love your blog! It’s so inspiring.
I love your dress and the Emery pattern! So cute and so many possibilities. Thanks for offering a great giveaway!
I love the purple dress and I would love to win the pattern! Happy sewing!
Great job on the dress, it’s really pretty. Love your shoes too.
Your dress is so elegant! I have always been afraid of velvet, reading your post tells me that my fears were justified but your results is fabulous!
I was recently gifted some border fabric, this would be the perfect pattern! Love your dress and shoes!!
I love your take on this dress, it has convinced me that I should try. So, I’ll try if I’ll be lucky 🙂
RankkaApina(at)gmail.com
Dress is stunning 🙂 I’d love to join your giveaway!
Love your dress very nice colors and looks great on you
The dress is so pretty, and the shoes are awesome!
Adey! I love your dress! I actually like boarder prints too, but I could never find the perfect one. This one is lovely, and it’s in purple! One of my favorite colors. Your shoes…amazing! 🙂 I can’t wait to try out this pattern! 🙂
The dress is lovely, as usual… But what’s up with those shoes? The gnomes are killer!
your dress is gorgeous! You are brave working with that velvet. And what cute shoes!! I’d love to win the Emery dress pattern: quipardue@yahoo.com
You made a really beautiful dress, and I too adore your lovely border fabric. And, of course I’d love to make an Emery dress for myself.
This dress is great, the hem is a real feature and looks wonderful on. Where do you do your photo shoot? Do you live inside a cloud…..dreamy
Yikes, I wouldn’t have guessed that sewing with velvet would be so difficult! Glad you stuck it out, though, because this dress is so beautiful!
Love the dres!, but oh my those shoes are to die for!! Love them!!
Congratulations on having finished this fabulous dress! I’ve been pondering to sew a velvet dress, too. The silky sheen of yours looks so wonderful, that not even your description of the painful working process will stop me from trying.
Really well fitted dress, perfect for you. You’d never know you had any issues just by looking. And your gnome shoes are amazing.
Wow this dress is stunning and I love both of the versions you made. And the shoes, the SHOES!!! How adorable are they?!?!
Your son is a sweetie but to be honest I would have had a full on panic attack complete with bawling and stomping
I would soooooo love to win this, I can see so many different variations with this pattern 🙂
This is just a beautiful dress, I hope it was worth the drama! The border along the skirt is so pretty as well, it’s a perfect match with the pattern!
My email is julietsews (at) gmail (dot) com as well 🙂
Gorgeous dress!
Lovely dress! I can imagine so many variations for it too. Great job on the sleeves 🙂
What a fabulous dress, and the shoes are quite special too! This pattern looks to be a winner for you. wenznz (at) gmail (dot) com
What a wonderful result – and wow to confirming why I left the luscious blue velvet on the remnants table – but it was so soft, so pattable…… so not nice to sew…. 😉 Your emery looks definitely worth it – congratulations on taming it – and for many future Emery’s with border prints, yay!!!
Awesome dress! And I am so impressed you worked with silk velvet! I would be afraid! Very afraid! My email is lmshull at gmail… BTW- fab shoes! ~Laurie
Love your Emory and I would LOVE to sew one for myself!!!!
sewcharleston.wordpress.com
abbeyjg@gmail.com
Your dress is fabulous! I am really in awe of your superb sewing skills. Absolutely love the burnout velvet border, and you look great in this dress. And oh my goodness, those are the most adorable shoes! opportunityknits@yahoo.com.sg
That fabric sounds like a bear, but the result is beautiful! Great pattern and thanks for the giveaway!
Kathryn.lee79@gmail.com
Lol! your sons comment had me laughing so loud! ” please don’t cry over your fabric”… Cute! And your dress is gorgeous! I love it, it’s so elegant and the color is beatiful!
So pretty
Both of your versions are so beautiful! You have really showcased the versatility of the dress! And that velvet one looks gorgeous!
I love your version of the Emery and I love your style!
Gorgeous dress! I love your choice of fabric.
This would make such a great holiday dress, and I would love to give the pattern a try! I have the perfect velvet green material for it! 🙂 clconnors@sbcglobal.net
I’d love to win a copy of this pattern! This version is really cute, the burnout design makes it unique.
Your dress looks wonderful! It sure would be nice to make one by myself…
I’m so happy to see such a beautiful creation using a border print! I have been stashing a border print for a few years now, unable to figure out the best way to use it. What a fantastic dress and an intriguing pattern… Good on you for sticking to it!
That is gorgeous!
How lovely! And those are Modcloth shoes aren’t they? Totally count me in for the giveaway. mnease@elon.edu
Your dress is awesome! I have gotten panicky getting stuck in a dress too. I’m glad you were able to save the dress, if not the zipper!
I’d love to try the Emery pattern – thanks for hosting a giveaway
I have been so excited for this pattern, would love to give it a try! Thanks for the giveaway:)
Hi there from Australia! I love all the patterns you choose! I would love the opportunity to sew along with you! Thanks for the opportunity to win this pattern
Your dress is simply stunning – I love this pattern and what you’ve done with it!
Giddy Aunt Lola at http://asaucystitch.blogspot.co.uk
Both versions are so wonderful! Just curious, how much did you lengthen the bodice? Definitely want to make one for myself.
wow, your dress is very pretty 🙂
Beautiful dress! Thanks for the chance to win the Emery pattern!
Your dress is beautiful!
Another beauty, well worth the sewing difficulties! I’m glad the zip problem didn’t end up harming your dress too,
I’d love to be included in the draw for your giveaway – thank you!
Lovely dress and I love irregular choice shoes too! 🙂 Please count me in..
foamofdays@yahoo.co.uk
Despite the challenges of the fabric, your dress turned out wonderful! And I love your shoes.
This is beautiful! A perfect dress for fall/winter – the border print is lovely 🙂 And thanks so much for the giveaway – I’m at thequirkypeach on gmail!
Your dress is gorgeous. Thanks for the chance to win and the inspiration!
Such a beautiful dress! I would love to win this pattern! BananaShowcase@gmail.com
Hi Adey! Beautiful statement border along the skirt. Anyway, I’m new to sewing and hooked! Too late for the giveaway, but I bought the Emery dress pattern and can’t wait to sew along.
So glad to find someone local who sews and blogs !!!(I’m in SG too)
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Fav Emery yet! I never would have thought of a velvet. So pretty.
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That is a lovely dress and it looks marvelous on you. Congratulations on conquering the slippery stuff!