DIBY Emmeline Dress

Pattern Stats: Emmeline Dress

Pattern designer: DoItBetterYourself.club

Pattern level: 3/10

Time start to finish: 2.0 hours

Suggested fabrics: knits with 50% 2-way stretch and good recovery such as jersey, DBP

My fabric: 2-way stretch jersey from Mily Mae Fabrics

Options: scoop or v-neck, mini, knee or maxi length, long, 3/4, elbow or short sleeves, optional inseam pockets

Price: On sale for $8.40 through June 4, 2019 then $13.99

The newest DIBY release, the Emmeline Dress is a classic look with waist shaping. The dress has a gathered bodice and bust darts to create definition at the waist. There's plenty of options in this pattern for length, sleeves and the neckline to get any desired look. 

For my version of this dress I chose to make the short sleeve, scoop neck in knee length. I opted to not add pockets as I'm finding my phone is just too heavy and weighs down dresses too much. 

Based on my measurements I needed to complete an FBA. This is very common for me with DIBY patterns as my upper bust is 2 sizes smaller than my full bust. You'll want to grade and then do your height and FBA adjustments, as stated in the instruction booklet.  Fortunately, DIBY specializes in getting the ideal fit and has in depth tutorials on how to make all of these adjustments. This dress is a misses size 6 bodice with an FBA graded to a size 10 waist. I used the size 6 for the neckband and sleeves while following the size 10 elastic measurement and skirt size. 

As part of the FBA process, I created new bust darts. For marking my bust darts I used this Dritz marking tool. It washes off with water and is the easiest tool I've found for marking since it's similar to a pen. I also have tailors chalk for markings but find it more difficult to be precise with. Once the darts are marked, I'd highly recommend reading about how to sew a dart before sewing them. If you are using stripes like I did, make sure they are lined up. 

I chose to turn my fabric against the stretch for the skirt to get the vertical lines. This worked because the skirt is gathered and has more volume than my waist. The instructions also recommend adding clear elastic to the seam joining the bodice and the skirt. I wouldn't skip this as it helps reinforce the seam and prevents the skirt from pulling down the bodice or overstitching it. I ordered a bulk amount of clear elastic from eBay but here's another option available. 

The fabric I chose for this dress is part of the Designer End Cuts line from Mily Mae Fabrics. It's a two-way stretch jersey in a wide stripe of grey and pink. I purchased the last of it but there are other options in the designer cuts line. I really like the mid weight of it and how it drapes in the breeze. The wedges I'm wearing are the Sorel Joanie II Wedge Ankle Strap in the Dove color which I love so much. They are amazingly easy to walk in and so comfortable. My necklace is from fellow maker Katy's shop, Thread & Grain. 

The Emmeline is on sale for 40% off through June 4th, 2019. No code is needed at checkout. The regular price of this pattern is $13.99.

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