Frocktails is nearly here. I’m off to Melbourne on Friday!
I had planned to post this post-Frocktails but she’s busting outta the wardrobe… she’s as bad as Jungle Anna… perhaps worse…Meet Clairy…
… She plays up to you
pouting lips
shaking hips
and flicking her hair…*
Someone decided she couldn’t wait…
I had grand plans for Frocktails… something classy… and then Clairy just appeared. Completely unplanned… she’s a party girl… she doesn’t wait for an invite…
This is my third pattern hacked dress, and the pattern gets more hacked each time. The back is shortened, the length is shorter, it’s much tighter…
I love how this dress fits and am always amazed that just two pieces of fabric can manage to look so damn fine.
I took a couple of daytime shots – while the dress was still in progress… as I wasn’t 100% convinced the vision I woke up with was going to deliver…
Back view of the Clairy – there is a seam from the lower back to the hem, a seam across my lower back and side seams from the armholes to the hip, extending slightly below the back waist seam.
Daytime view of the Clairy – less sparkles, more detail. I hadn’t finished the armholes at this point – I just wanted to see if it looked OK. I think the answer from ELH was ‘YES…’
Just a one more shot – because Clairy needs to shake her hips, pout her lips…
One minute she’s chilling
the next she’s sweet talk dealin’
when you gonna wake up and see…*
No dress detail in this shot but I love the mood as the sun sets…
Confessions…
Clairy is not immaculately finished… she’s a rough & ready gal. I am ridiculously busy at the moment with little or no spare time… it’s frustrating but this is the busiest time of the year for me. Work, kids, family, drama, dance, gym, trips away. It all happens from September until December.
Shhh.. I didn’t line it – no, I’m just wearing a slip. I know, Clairy won’t last forever – she’s here for a good time not a long time – I don’t feel bad. I scored this fabric – which is usually around the $40 a metre for $4 a metre. So this cost me about $6 to make… and I have enough fabric to make another…
I’d never sewn sequins and had been a little scared of the fabric. In the end I just chucked in a heavy duty needle, denim and used a stretch stitch… seems to have worked…
* Wondering where the inspiration for the dress came from & those lyrics? It’s Clairy Browne & the Bangin’ Rackettes and their song She Plays Up To You… you must listen to this…
And then listen to Love Letter. Awesome song.
’tis all… mwah…
Sew Busy Lizzy 
Whoa Lizzy! This is unreal. You’re such a sexpot and I love the name of this dress. Who doesn’t love a Clairy/Clarey 🙂 This look so stunning. I have always wanted to do something with sequins but have been too scared.
Actually better update the post – not so hard to sew. Just use a heavy duty needle, a denim one. These are clearly stretch sequins. I feel like a devil woman!
WOW… no more words needed!
That’s OK, you can save them for Saturday night 🙂
Wow, what a stunning dress….you look AMAZING!!!!
and I feel pretty amazing. Apart from the slightly scratchy armholes, it’s very comfortable to wear! Thank you x
OMG Love the music!!!!
And the dress is luscious… and I are the inspiration here : http://youtu.be/F3TOCO2xcwU
I loved that version – especially her intro – her attitude is amazing!
It’s SUCH a fun dress! I’m so impressed that it all just came together. You look gorgeous, and you look like the dress makes you feel sassy – I only wish I could join you for Frocktails!
I so wish that too – perhaps you can pop over to NY in October next year! Still time to save!
Wowzer, this is spectacular! Methinks I’ll be feeling very plain indeed on Saturday :s
Not at all – she’s not a fancy make, it’s just fancy fabric. Look forward to meeting you.
Now that’s what I call a dress!
Thanks Sarah! I do feel rather sassy in it – amazing how clothes can morph your mood!
Well hello there sexy mumma! Now that is a dress. I love it! You look smokin.
Thanks Mama!
Just goes to show you don’t need a complicated design to deliver maximum impact. This creation is absolutely stunning and I so enjoyed reading your very clever and entertaining blog post. Keep them coming.
Hi there! I’ve been meaning to hop onto your blog & comment (I just whacked my kneecap on a cupboard & am collapsed on the lounge!). I’m in live with your wrap dress – the McCalls one. Is that still in print?
Hi Lizzy. I just checked the McCall’s website and unfortunately it says it’s out of print. I feel for you whacking your knee. I did the same thing on the corner of my sewing desk the other day, and I nearly collapsed on the floor with the pain.
I thought it must be. I’ll pick it up at Patternsplus, eBay or etsy – I seem to have many shirtdress patterns but no wrap dresses.
Stunning and striking too. Amazing how a simple pattern can be transformed by the right special fabric.
You might meet her in Melbourne Lizzie!
Thank you.
” she’s here for a good time not a long time”
LOVE THAT. i usually think “she’s not long for this world” when i skimp on a step. this phrase is MUCH better.
your dress is the business.
Agreed. Not everything is built to last! Sometimes it’s about living hard & fast. And it gives us an excuse to sew more dresses!
You’ve made the perfect, sparkly LBD! Absolutely love it. 🙂
Thanks!
whoah! this looks amazing on you! simple is best–makes the fabric and you the center of attention. lovely!
It’s a great simple pattern – and flattering!
A designer dress for sure. And even better made by you so you can be pretty certain there isn’t another one out there. Very gorgeous… looks fab on you. Or rather you look fab in it! I can definitely see you with cocktails in hand shmoozing with the frocktail crowd! Have fun. 🙂 ~Laurie
Yes! There shall be much schmoozing!
If your husband’s response would have been anything but YES, I would suspect that he needed to see an eye care specialist immediately! 😉 This dress is HAWT! 🙂
LMAO. Thank you.
Hubba hubba! Looking gorgeous!!!! I agree with the commenter above who said that a design doesn’t have to be complex to have the wow-factor. Amazing pictures as well!
My husband is becoming quite the amateur snap happy fiend. I’m very lucky.
It’s beautiful!
Thanks x
Wow! Foxy! love it, perfect for frocktails!!
I’ve never had a sparkly dress – but it’s so fun to wear I think I need another!
To all above comments I can only add my WOW! Perfect! You look so glamour! And the surrounding… breathless!
Thank you – my home town is beautiful, I’m very lucky.
Oooh la la lady…this is so very sleek and sexy!
I feel pretty cool in it!
Oooh! Slinky!!! Your dress is fabulous!
I actually feel transformed when I wear it, I love clothes that do that.
OMG! You look gorgeous in that dress!
Thank you!
Amazing. That is all. And ELH is an awesome photographer!
I’m a lucky gal. He’s a fabulous husband.
Whoa – sewing sequins! I’ve never done that before. The dress fits beautifully and looks fabulous on you.
I’d never sewn them either. I figured the worst that could happen was a ‘whadder’ but it worked out ok. I think less seams is the best approach with this sort of fabric.
Oh my, you are looking hot in this dress! Love it, sequins have always been intimidating and kind of off the table for uber fancy events for me. This simple style in all black isnt too overboard though, very wearable. Enjoy Melbourne and maybe even ring in the new year in this number!
I agree, it’s sparkly but it does feel very wearable and look rad with a super fitted denim jacket.
I think I’d like another…
Very, very nice! And I dare say it’s going to be awesome to have another sequinned sparkler to clinck cocktail glasses with. We are going to TAKE OVER LONGRAIN.
We are the cocktail disco ball gals!!!
totes.
WOWZER! This is a smoking hot dress! It looks wonderful, I doubt anyone will notice the imperfections you noted; they’re be too busy picking their jaws up from off the floor.
LOL let’s hope so
Sparkle!!!!? Figure hugging day to night drape top inspired ?!? Total winner, you vixen you. How amazing you look….enjoy the party!! You’ve got the dress!
Now I’m having visions of this dress but in a long clingy number… with a generous split up the back. I do have a fancy event in October…
Heaven I love that Day to Night pattern. Tis a thing of perfection!
Yay! You posted it early! What an awesome dress! And $4 a metre? Total and complete win! Great photos too – you totally rock!
My husband takes amazing photos – even left hour for 30 minutes to take the pictures as the sun went down.
AHHH Im so jealous I’m not going to frocktails 😦 WAHHH
Sexpot indeed:)
It would be lovely to meet you! I had planned on a pretty feminine dress but Clairy wasn’t having it,
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Ummmmm…. WHOA. Dude. This is HOT! Love this dress– it’s sooooo cool!
I am still sudden urge to sew more rock n roll wench clothes!
DO IT.
I’ve been buying lots of sexy looking patterns and then thinking “what was I thinking???”
Now I’m just thinking “let’s rock dude and sew some saucy stuff”
Go for it! Every once in a while a good girl’s gotta go bad! 😉
You look amazing in this! Sometimes the simplest ideas are the best!
Holy crap! LOL. How stunning are you in this dress! I love sparkly dresses and this fits you like a glove. Amazing work! 🙂
Wow, this is a stunner!! Looks great on you LIzzy, love the sparkle. I hope you had a terrific time at Frocktails, really upset that I could not attend. Looking forward to hearing about it!
What a fab glamourously sexy dress! Hope you enjoyed frock tails.
Such a sexy dress!!!
Thanks – she was a happy bit of sewing inspiration!
Gorgeous! Glamorous! And is there anything more romantic than a cowl neck?
I think cowl necks are my favourite garment feature!
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