Frocktails – if you are a sewist, you may know what this is, or at least heard of it. But for those who don’t, it is an event where a bunch of sewists get together and chat about all things sewing. Most people make an outfit for the event, but it is not a requirement.
There is a lot of patting of dresses (fabrics), sometimes lifting of hems but mainly a lot of chatting. These events have been happening all over the world for a number of years and I have been to a few in Sydney and the Blue Mountains.
I haven’t been to one in Sydney for a number of years, instead I make an effort to toddle up to Katoomba for the Blue Mountains one. I find it nice and intimate as the Sydney one is getting way too big for my liking; I have found that as I have gotten older, don’t like the crowds.
This year it is being held at The Carrington Hotel on the 30 August. This is where it has been since its conception and it isn’t a bad venue. I just like the fact that my room is just upstairs so not far to travel in the high heels!
So I pack up the car and take a few days off and head up there by myself. I book a hotel room where the event is being held and have a nice quiet time by myself. This year, one of my sisters was going to come with me, but she bailed out in the end as she is interstate working/travelling, so me it is.
I like to make an outfit each year, with 2025 not being any different and have already been planning and have chosen a dress pattern. I already had the pattern and I am hoping to use some fabric from my stash.
I have decided to sew up the Harry Dress from Style Arc. This pattern has both a dress as well as a top, which I really like and would like to make at some later stage.
The dress has a slight A line shape to it and comes to just below the knees. It has encased elastic in both the front and the back, along with dolman sleeves which has both the encased elastic and tucks. There are two options for the neckline – a soft V or round, with a back neck split opening with a loop and a button. Apparently you can do up the V neck without this by sewing up the back, of which I like the idea of as I hate sewing loops. Oh, it also has pockets!
I have a nice olive green linen that would really look nice and I have enough of it for this dress – yay! I have decided to make the V neck version without the back split.
I will make up a toile first as I pretty much always do, but first I need to do some work on what size to make. As I am a soft hour glass, I can be between 2-3 sizes so need to make a few adjustments along with printing out a few sizes.
I basically have 3 weeks to get this outfit made so I had better get a wriggle on. I will be printing out the pattern and putting it together tonight – the whole 45 pages.. I would normally go and get it printed on A0 and then trace the pattern, but I am heading off to Sydney for a few days for work, and that will put me behind, so printing and taping it is.
I will be putting my progress on Instagram so check over there to see how I am going. I will write up a post once the dress is made and after the event.
cheers
Steff xx
