Tattooed Emery Dress

I showed you a sneak peek of this the other day and it finally stopped raining long enough to get the pre-teen to take some very early morning shots of me in it!
I have lusted after this fabric for a while but didn't know what to make, until I made my first Emery Dress and then I knew just what I could make No.2 out of…..

Tattoo Fabric…..I flipping LOVE it!!!!
I'm far too chicken to get a real tattoo, so this for me is the next best thing.

I wore it out last week to the Knitting & Stitching Show at Ally Pally and it was so comfy, I then wore it on Sunday and had to be told by the husband that wearing it again on Tuesday was a little too soon. 

I did get quite a few strange looks in the playground on the school run! "Does that woman have tattoo's on her dress??" "You look different!" "Err, is that new!!" 

After talking about it on IG we have a tag now for a few of us that have children or friends or fellow school runners that think we are a little bonkers! Yes I'm a  #weirdmum and am proud.

Although my lovely neighbour liked it and couldn't believe it had been a folded bit of fabric on the Monday! I've also managed to talk the said lovely neighbour into a sewing machine from Lidl….we are converting them one by one people!!! 

So this is my second attempt at The Emery Dress and I have learnt loads more sewing it this time. 

Firstly, I need a smaller size on the top of the bodice and larger on the bottom, e.g. I have a thick middle and small shoulders! Even though I made the 16 this time the shoulders were still quite big and I had to make the darts bigger on the back, I need to learn to grade/merge pattern sizes?!?

Secondly, zippers are really not as scary as I always though them to be and I love my zipper foot, it worked a treat. 

Thirdly, as a bigger bust lady I do need to keep those necklines scooped out! It just looked too blocky on me with the higher neck. 

And lastly, I love, love, love sewing dresses with Olive the Overlocker! Those seams are soooo neat and tidy and it is so much quicker than the overcast stitch on my Janome.  

I bought four metres of Tattoo fabric and still have a fair bit left, but I'm a crafty cutter and don't like to waste a bit of fabric. I have also got to say you will save lots of fabric if you use a cheaper cotton solid or like to line the bodice. 

The Details 

Pattern - The Emery Dress size 16

Fabric - Alexander Henry Tattoo Fabric in Black from Frumble, spotty pocket fabric leftover from my Minnie Mouse version. 

So, I still love this pattern and I can tell you that dress No.3 is not far behind after buying the fabric at the Knitting & Stitching Show! 

I fear I have an addiction starting!