FINISHED! My Frocktails 2014 trompe l'oeil dress

This weekend, Amanda, Jen, Myra and I got on a Murray's Bus and road tripped it to Sydney for Frocktails. A fantastic event organised by Kat, I'm sure there will be lots of links on various blogs as there was simultaneously one in Sydney and one in Melbourne. It was so wonderful to finally meet so many sewing friends in real life.  What did I wear? Well my frock was made out of more magical fabric bought from my recent trip to Spotlight where I picked up fabric for my sister's saunio.  I spent most of yesterday in a mild state of nerves that someone else might be in a dress in this fabric. Two ladies in this fabric would have been difficult to hide. 
Yes, this one is also a 'polycotton' with a dubious mix of 96% polyester 4% spandex. But just look at those colours.  This fabric is fantastic. The colours are vibrant and neon.  At first glance the fabric looks like it should be a tweed, the fabric fooling the eye that it is woven. But no, the fabric is a thick stretch with a lovely 'bobbly' plastic like texture that is hard to not want to stroke. The back of the fabric as you can see is a white/cream. These indoor photos show the colours the best.  Needless to say I couldn't get any good photo indoors at the actual event so these will have to do. 
The dress itself is a Named Kanerva hack.  I've always loved how that top fits me so I thought I'd try making it into a dress with an invisible zip at the back. 
It is a simple shape letting the fabric do all the talking. I would have liked the top to have been slightly snugger but the slightly loser fit in the bodice has it's comfort advantages.
I love the slight A shape to the skirt and the curved hem.  I hemmed it twice worrying the first time that the curve looked odd, but realised after unpicking it that a straight hem wouldn't have allowed the dress to hang right so redid it.
I am such a fan of the higher scoop neck and long sleeve look.  Because the fabric is stretchy and quite thick, the neck is simply turned over and stitched. In order to make sure the neck sit nice and flat I put in some clear elastic...I may have pulled that just a little tight, but hopefully it's not too noticeable.  I particularly like how well I matched the sides and the back zip. Oh of course it's not perfect, but the waistband matches up and the stripes are pretty good. 
All in all, I loved wearing this dress, it felt fun and different and can't wait to pull it out again for a wedding in a few weeks.  Big kisses to all the frocktails gals and to those who would have loved to have been there but couldn't. Til next time xx

76 comments:

  1. So cool! I really thought it was tweed. Those colours look great on you!

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  2. That's really lovely, and it fits you beautifully. What a fabric find!

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  3. This is so freaking rad! The simple lines! The colours! The magic faux tweed textured goodness! Hawt, Ms K!

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  4. I LOVE this! Seriously, I want to come right over there and snatch it out of your closet then sneak away :-) My first thought was that you'd used some awesome vintage '70s dress pattern. So cool to know you hacked it from a current pattern. And that fabric is truly amazing!

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  5. Very pretty dress! The fabric is very special and cute too!

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  6. Oh wow! That dress is super! Those colours and that fabric, and that dress style is so unique and beautiful on you. I love unique ;-) I have this little swatch of Nouta Jacquard right next to me that now makes me think it would like to be a dress like this....but I might just have to dream about that one. I think the nouta jacquard is fabulous but a bit delicate for my life!

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  7. I keep wondering about that nouta jacquard as well and had quite a linger around it when I was in tessuti on saturday but didn't end up buying any. Never say never though!

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  8. so gorgeous and fun at the same time. jealous about frocktails too. looks so fun!

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  9. Another inspiring make Kirsty. Spotlight surprises sometimes. I'm crossing all fingers & toes that I'll make Frocktails next year.

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  10. Beautiful, beautiful dress! Crazy, different and original fabric! 100 people out of 100 would say it's tweed :) I wish I lived somewhere closer to be able to join you for a Frocktail... Give me a shot when you organize another one next year :)

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  11. It's SO COOL!! And yes that neckline + sleeves combo is killer on you. Well done! And so jealous of frocktails...

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  12. That fabric really is great and the shape of the dress is so flattering on you. Lovely blossom in your garden!

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  13. Beautiful dress, love the tweed fabric and the colours! The silhouette - fitted bodice and flare skirt, is very pretty too.

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  14. Super fun fabric. Great silhouette on you. Inspiring make.

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  15. You look amazing, it was so wonderful to meet you and to attempt to steal your shoes!

    This fabric is fantastic and the simplicity of the style of dress shows it off to maximum effect.

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  16. Love, love, love... but then you know that's how I feel as I might have felt up that fabric a little too much at Frocktails :) Such a stylish lady!

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  17. I love it! The print is amazing! Those colors!

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  18. That's lovely Kirsty! the simple lines of the dress show of that amazing fabric perfectly! I ADORE the colours in it... totally scrumptious!

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  19. Simply gorgeous on you 😍

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  20. Such a simple but effective combination. Lovely!

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  21. Fabulous fabric! You look great!

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  22. Jen @The Stitcher and GathererSeptember 16, 2014 at 9:17 AM

    You, the dress, the shoes, DIVINE! But then everything you make is just gold dear friend. Missing my slumber party friends already - we must play soon! xxxxxx

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  23. Gorgeous dress and so glad you all had a fantastic night on Saturday so sorry I missed it. Glad we managed to catch up!

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  24. Beautiful, Kirsty! I love how the fabric is deceptive - it really looks like tweed. And the curved hem works wonderfully.

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  25. I absolutely LOVED this dress (sorry I kept feeling your frock all night). The colours are amazing and the style of the dress is something I would totally wear. You're lucky you're not my size otherwise I would've taken the dress right off your back. Lovely to have met you at at Frocktails...

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  26. Pretend tweed - I love it. I also love the curved hem, it's so unique and pretty.

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  27. Thanks Bec. You'll have to come and join us on a meetup!

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  28. Was so great to meet you and I loved being felt up all night! This is such an easy dress that it is definitely something you should try.

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  29. Thanks claire. It is such a fun fabric isn't it.

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  30. Was a tops weekend wasn't it and I still can't believe how we managed to cope so well with only one bathroom! love xxx

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  31. Thanks Sarah. Sometimes it best to keep it simple :)

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  32. What a shame you couldn't make it. Defnitely next time. It was a really fun night.

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  33. Thanks Carolyn! sometimes Spotlight comes good with the fabric. I just love it.

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  34. How great was it to meet in real life! You are absolutely as lovely as I expected x

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  35. It was a mutual shoe love fest! I can't wait to hang out again.

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  36. Thanks Erin. I wish there was a way to have you feel the fabric too. It has a fabulous texture.

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  37. thanks so much! I think anything more intricate would have been too much for the fabric.

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  38. Thanks Bella. I love looking over the photos throughout the year for the changes in the garden!

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  39. Thanks Jo. I'm all for the arm coverup! You need to organise yourself a frocktails !

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  40. I'll definitely let you know of the next one, but if you ever come to australia we'll organise a special frocktails just for you! how great is the fabric!!

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  41. Thanks! It is a fun event. did you go last year?

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  42. Thanks Kelly! It seems like there should be worldwide frocktails events :)

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  43. Thanks yoshimi. I think Maria was wearing a fabulous jumpsuit out of fabric that you had given her so you were there in spirit.

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  44. Thanks Gail! My pattern hacking skills are not so great so I'm amazed that it worked.. and that I love it so much.

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  45. I know, I couldn't believe the fabric when I saw it!

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  46. Honestly, who thinks up these sorts of fabrics! Whoever it is - keep on making them!

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  47. You would have had such a great time. Amanda had a king single so we could have easily fitted you into the room!!

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  48. Kat, so lovely to meet you! congratulations on organising such a fab event and one that people from all around the world are clearly just a little bit jealous of!

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  49. You put this fabric to such good use! Nice job with the stripes :)

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  50. I missed out last year too. Which is why I'm determined to frock up next year 😀 ps loved your writing post. I can identify with liberty makes me sew better. I will be visiting the holy grail (Liberty of London) at the end of the month... squee...

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  51. I know, I always seem to have such poor luck with the timing. Next time for sure.

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  52. This fabric is beautiful and I would buy it in a heart beat, but then I would stare at it for years having no idea what to do with it. You NAILED this!

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  53. You rocked this so well!! It was fabulous to meet you at last IRL - and I am glad I wasn't the only one who simply had to pat your fabric!! ;)

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  54. I'm sure you'd make something spectacular with it, but thanks for the love x

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  55. It was so great to meet YOU! Your skirt was beautiful and I still can't get over how 'elasticy' which is obviously not a word, the silk is when it's cut on the bias.

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  56. Love this! I wish I could get me hands on this fabric!

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  57. Was such a find hiding under a few rolls! If I see it again I'll let you know.

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  58. Love this dress, that fabric! But oh man, can't stop staring at those incredible shooooes!

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  59. Thanks Ebony. they are great aren't they. I'm always sooo excited to make something that goes with them. They are Camilla Skovgaard. x

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  60. Fabulous! Love those shoes!!!!

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  61. Gorgeous, and I adore that fabric. Would you mind me featuring any of your projects on SSB in the future? I credit, link to your post and let you know when featured.
    https://facebook.com/sassysewingbees

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  62. Hi Sassy T! Thanks so much and of course I'd love to be featured!

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  63. Hi, no it's not real tweed. In fact it is a stretch polycotton!

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  64. To be featured on SSB Friday, thanks for permitting.
    https://facebook.com/sassysewingbees ❀

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