Have you seen the new Emma pattern from Rebecca Page? It is a high neck top, tunic, or dress drafted for either wovens or knits! It features an elegant high collar with back closure, easy breezy A-line body with the option of a sash. The dress versions are achieved by adding one (knee), two (tea) or three (maxi) gathered tiers to the tunic length. The maxi is quite the dramatic statement! I tested the tunic length and added a sash.

The Emma’s new release pricing is available until June 13, 2017 at 11:59GMT and it comes in a variety of sizes:

1. Ladies Emma: XXS – 5XL
2. Girls Emma: Newborn – 12yrs
3. Doll Emma: 18 inch doll

While the business name recently changed to Rebecca Page, the gorgeous design, terrific fit, and meticulous instructions we loved about Mummykins & Me are still there! Just check out this pretty collar.

The most challenging part of the pattern was sewing up the collar (which is a breeze with the instructions and photos). You can use buttons, snap, and the instructions include details on making beautiful rouleau loops. For my version, I used snaps because I had them on hand and wanted to mix in another red 🙂

I used a rayon (woven) from Fabric Mart for the main body, a cute coordinating quilting cotton from Jackman’s Fabric for the collar, and the sash was a Robert Kaufman chambray also from Jackman’s.

Rayon wears so beautifully but it can be a challenge to sew. I’ve learned some tips along the way that help when I’m sewing lightweight fabrics in general:

• Serge edges before washing to avoid fraying. Lightweight fabrics are notorious for fraying during the sewing process so you don’t want to lose any yardage before you even get to the cutting table. I normally fold the piece in half and serge the ends together so I only run it through my machine once. The selvage side hasn’t frayed for me yet so I leave that one alone.
• Don’t cut notches into the seam allowance to indicate markings. Instead, try a water soluble pen to make any markings. Don’t report me to the fabric police, but sometimes I use a permanent one inside the seam allowance so I don’t have to worry about my markings disappearing as I break to change a diaper and, ultimately, get distracted with mom duties.
• Stabilize appropriate sections using interfacing. For example, many testers used iron-on stabilizer in the collar section of their Emmas to give the fabric more structure and make it easier to sew.
• Fine tip needles are your bestie. They won’t punch the fabric and create holes like their larger friends.
• Shorten your stitch length. This will be adjusted on any fabric you sew so test those scraps to avoid tears later!

Still having trouble with the fabric slip sliding around as you sew your seams? I have heard of ladies using tissue paper to add more stability and then tearing it away afterward. If you’d like to try something like this, I would recommend the tear away stabilizer like you’d use for machine embroidery. Tissue paper was not designed for sewing machines and I would rather not take the risk of it getting sucked into my machine (and causing even more tears).

Here is another photo of my gorgeous Emma – – I can’t wait to see yours. For more Emma inspiration and to post your own, please visit the Rebecca Page PDF Group on FaceBook.

***I received the final pattern in return for my time and contributions during testing, but my opinions are fully my own. This review contains affiliate links for which I receive a small commission on any sales. This helps support my growing fabric collection and is much appreciated.