My Favourite Ebony Tee Dress in Floral Scuba

This here is my personal favourite Ebony Tee. I have about 5 or 6 I've been wearing in constant rotation (and two more waiting to get sewn up) but this one is super special. It's just the perfect mix of fabric and pattern for me, and I am so happy I talked myself in to buying this beautiful digital print scuba when I found it. I've been really paring down the crazy prints in my wardrobe, but the scale of the floral and black background of this fabric is just so sophisticated. I couldn't resist.

I brought it home and it sat in my stash for a few weeks while I thought about what to do with it. I love how sculptural scuba knits are in more voluminous silhouettes, so I briefly considered using it to make the new Grainline dress, until I literally sat up in bed one morning with the duh, stupid realization that it would make a fab Ebony.

I decided that short sleeves and the raglan seaming would be the best choice for the fabric and print, so I merged the Ebony tunic body to the dress  (a tutorial is coming later this week on how you can do the same). I left all the seams unfinished since there is no need to hem such a sturdy knit; I like how sharp and clean it looks simply raw.

Pattern placement was important. I decided to highlight the raglan seam by contrasting the floral print with a mostly solid sleeve. I think it breaks up the volume in a pleasing way.

The most interesting part of this dress is the neck binding. I was aiming for something with some heft and three dimensionality. Rather than doing the typical t-shirt band called for in the pattern, I experimented with a few techniques before settling on wrapping a  double layer of binding around the neckline. I'm working on a second version this week, so a tutorial will be forthcoming.

Also? So perfect for swirling, even if it means Athena can see up my dress, the little perv.

Harry wanted in on the action too, apparently.

I wore this dress on New Years pretty much just like I'm wearing it here, and haven't felt so "me" in a long time. I love getting dressed up, and this Ebony Tee is just everything I want when it's time to glam out; a bold silhouette in a dramatic fabric, that is comfortable enough to dance in all night long. Mission accomplished!

Would you consider making Ebony is a more substantial fabric? Anyone else made anything fabulous in scuba lately?

ps. Yes, I chopped off all my hair last month. It was a little impulsive and I proceeded to basically cry every time I looked in the mirror until I figured out how to style it. Basically my lazy half blow drying routine doesn't cut it anymore. I'm using a lot more product and a straightening iron to do "beach waves", but it's kind of fun to have a kicky new 'do and be forced to step outside of my comfort zone, styling wise. Sometimes you gotta mix it up.