Canberra Frocktails : A jar of jelly beans dress
I’ve said before and I’ll say it again; I love love love a remnant. I picked up this lovely Italian silk from the remnant table at Tessuti late last year. The colourway perplexed me… a mixture of yellow and blue based tones… but in the end the texture won me over. I’ve dubbed this fabric seersucker silk… but I have no idea if that’s a real thing or not! Can anyone enlightened me?
Lucky for me it was a generous remnant… 1.5m x 1.4m wide. The perfect amount for an above-the-knee length dress… or was that a jar of jelly beans dress?
This dress was actually my Plan B Canberra Frocktails dress. Plan A just didn’t make my heart sing. So, when my first dress didn’t meet my expectations, and it was only a week before the event, what was I to do? That’s right, I turned to a tried and true pattern… the fabulous Aeolian T-shirt / Dress pattern by Pattern Fantastique. This pattern hasn’t let me down before, and it didn’t this time. Not that we’re counting or anything, but this is the ninth time I have used (and blogged) this pattern. It’s by far the most used pattern in my collection.
Canberra’s winters are known for being super chilly so I added length to the sleeves to try and be a little more seasonally appropriate. The sleeve length was determined by fabric restrictions and they ended up being 5 inches longer than originally drafted. I’m rather fond of the lengthened sleeve. I’ll be keeping that in mind for future versions… I’m not done with this pattern yet!
And my accessories for the night… a leather clutch made by me, some rather lovely but impracticable shoes that were difficult to walk and even stand in, antique beads and what seemed like a never-ending glass of champagne!
Thanks to the Canberra organising crew for your hard work and hospitality. Here’s hoping it’s an annual (hint hint).
Pattern: Pattern Fantastique’s Aeolian T-shirt Dress (knee length)
Size: S
Fabric: Italian silk remnant from Tessuti
Alterations: Lengthened the sleeves by 5 inches (12.5 cm) and shortened the dress by 2 inches (5cm)
Accessories: Handmade leather clutch, antique beads and shoes purchased at Luisa.
Absolutely beautiful (and I also have an infatuation with remnants)
Thanks Lizzy. Remnants equal value for money and a creative challenge to use the piece to it’s fullest.
Very pretty dress. The fabric is hammered silk. It’s usually made up with the matte side as the face but both sides can work well.
Thanks for taking the time to explain Laura. I love that there is always more to learn when it comes to fabric and sewing.
wow – this is gorgeous. So elegant. And of course, a rocking print!
Thanks Shivani. I feel great in this dress. And yes, it’s a rocking print.
Hi Anna, it’s lovely! The shoes are fabulous too! Just wondering whether you had to line your dress?
I didn’t line the dress Erin but I did wear some nude shapewear but that was for warmth rather than to reduce visibility or hold things in place!
Such a lovely dress. Perfect style for such a colourful jelly bean silk. I desperately miss the tessuti remnant table.
Thanks Debbie. Although blessed with the chance to visit Tessuti I must confess feeling a little disappointed when the remnant table doesn’t yield any gold. I’m always happy to scout for you… just give me your order or parameters.
Totally beautiful, and perfect for an evening out. Wish I lived in Australia.
I think this will be a go to dress for me when it’s time to frock up & look fancy. That been said Melbourne Frocktails is on Aug 8th & I’m planning to sew something new… any excuse right?
It’s beautiful! Modern and stylish. Those shoes! My feet ache at the thought but they are so so beautiful!
My feet ache every time I think about them!. I feel some more practical shoes may need to be worn to Melbourne Frocktails.
Too bad, because they are PERFECT with that dress! What a great look overall. When I first saw the pictures I had no idea they were so tall. Don’t you wish all shoes came with removable heel options for when you feel like a little less heel?
Removable heels would be ideal in situations like this.
Just STUNNING! Anna.
Thanks Helen. It was fun to plan, sew and attend the function. Now I can’t wait for Melbourne!
You looked glorious, and it was such a fun evening/weekend! Love a tried & true, and a remnant, this was perfect. 😉
I think a remnant and a T ‘n’ T are a match made in heaven. Thanks for being my plane buddy.
I adore this! It’s absolutely gorgeous!! Well done!
Thanks Sonja. I loved having an event to sew for, and of course, the chance to hang out with sewing peeps in person.
Love finding a use for a great remnant! The whole outfit looks terrific!
Thanks Sue.
This dress is perfect, fabric and pattern. So lovely to meet you at Frocktails.
Loving to meet you too Barbara. Here’s hoping it’s an annual event so we can all hang out more!
Gorgeous photos! And this dress is a definite winner. Yes, there is such a thing as a seersucker silk. It’s actually called for in that Giant Bow Tunic I made sans bow. You looked perfectly put together and absolutely chic. Doesn’t get much better than that 🙂
Such kind words. Thank-you. It was another fun photoshoot… and as per usual at this time of year, I froze!
Wow!
This dress is wonderful, the colours, the texture – and those shoes they look like you have had them especially made for the dress with the same green spot shape!
Everything about this whole outfit is absolutely lovely 🙂
The shoe were a lucky find Janette… and even better as they were designer shoes on super sale.
I’m sure this pattern was designed specially for you…it suits you so well. The fabric is gorgeous and you have styled your outfit beautifully. Well done!
If I had only one pattern to sew for the rest of my life, it would be this one. I just never get bored with it and you can make it in a variety of fabrics.
Beautiful fabric! That was a lucky find. It looks like your shoes matched your dress perfectly – or is it just the candle light playing tricks?
You’ve got good eyes Linda. The shoes do match perfectly. They were a luck find.
[…] my first Canberra Frocktails post I eluded to the fact that my Plan A dress didn’t meet my expectations. I’m after […]
[…] soon as I decided I was going to Canberra Frocktails I had a vision of a silk dress, a leather clutch and some knock-out heels. Making the dress was a no-brainer (it was a sewing […]
Beautiful!
🙂
Total. Rockstar.
You were on fire at Frocktails with this number!
Takes one to know one. A x
You look amazing. I’m so chuffed.
You make me look so amazing. What would I do without this pattern… and without you? Love you’re work. A x
[…] blog for “Aeolian”. Of course I saw her at Melbourne Frocktails in her lovely Jelly Bean Aeolian, but when I looked at her website, I couldn’t believe it, she’s made heaps of them! It […]