Christine Haynes Emery Dress

A dress with a simple fitted bodice and gathered skirt (with pockets, of course) is the most worn type of garment in my wardrobe. Despite trying a few different patterns I hadn't managed to find 'the one'... until I made an Emery!

This is not a difficult sew, but has a lot of steps and involves a range of techniques. The instructions themselves are excellent, so I think a patient beginner sewist with a few projects under their belt could give this a go. Don't be put off by sewing 16 darts - it's totally worthwhile!

I used cotton lawn for my Emery dress, but I think it would look lovely in a range of fabrics - quilting cotton, cotton sateen, chambray, linen or even lightweight wool.

I used Swedish tracing paper to make a quick toile of the bodice and one sleeve and I was really pleased that I didn't have to make any adjustments. I made a size 4 and the fit is perfect (my measurements are 33" bust, 28" waist and 38" hips).

I didn't add the bow detail at the waist of my dress as my fabric is very busy, but I definitely will include it in my next version in a fabric with a smaller scale pattern.

I've worn my Emery dress many times and received lots of compliments. I love the fit of the bodice and the perfect pockets! One of my favourite things about the dress is the way the bodice lining is finished - it's so neat and clean and a far superior method than any other lined bodice I've made.

I absolutely love the Emery dress. This year, wedding season was pretty heavy for me and I made a few Emery dresses to wear to different events. I loved wearing every single one! I got so many compliments on each and every one and spoke a little bit about each dress on my blog: https://ruddytocraft.wordpress.com/2017/12/11/an-army-of-emerys/

My first Emery. I used a £2 viscose from Chapel Street market, Islington as a (possible) wearable muslim if things went well. I really like it. A lovely comfy dress.
Enough to keep an advanced sewist busy with many darts / lined bodice / optional collar / optional belt.
Beginners will be happy with the quality instructions and illustrations provided to guide you through all parts of the construction.
I blogged more about it here: https://carolinejoynson.blogspot.co.uk/2017/09/polka-dot-emery-dress.html

I am so glad to have finally made an Emery Dress! I have had this pattern for quite a few months now and have been waiting for the weather to get warmer so that I could finally make and wear it. It's a lovely pattern to make, I can see why lots of sewists make more than one of these. I like that the bodice is lined, this gives a lovely professional finish and is worth the work. Beware if you are not a fan of darts - this pattern has lots. The bodice front has 4 darts as does the bodice back. Multiply this by two for the lining pieces and you are sewing a total of 16 darts in total!! My dress is inspired by one that I saw on the High Street and wanted to replicate. In order to do this I had to change the sleeves to tie sleeves, but this was fairly straightforward and I am thrilled with the result. Also required to complete the look were applique flowers. After a great deal of searching I found exactly what I wanted in the form of iron-on patches, which I have to say seem pretty secure so far! It's a lovely dress, and I thoroughly enjoyed making it. Great instructions and lots of inspiration for this dress can be found online and I would recommend anyone with good basic sewing skills to have a go at it! If you would like to see more pictures and read my full review with the link to the blog with the tutorial on how I made the sleeves you can take a look at it here:

https://sewdainty.co.uk/2017/05/22/christine-haynes-emery-dress-with-tie-sleeves-hack-sewing-pattern-review/

Doraemon Emery dress!

Graded between a 2 at the bust and 6 at the waist/hips. I’m really pleased with the fit and will be making more – I've been wearing it with a petticoat for full effect.