Frocktails is a rather interesting event. It’s a little like a huge blind date really, except we’re not trying to find a partner! Instead, we’re all there to talk fabric, sewing, and ooh and ah over one another’s gorgeous outfits. Almost 30 women ranging in age from early twenties to mid-forties (you can guess who that was, can’t you) descended on Longrain in Melbourne last night for a wonderful evening of food and frocks, organised by the clever, talented and beautiful Kat. It was marvellous to see three large tables full of colour, pattern and movement in a restaurant otherwise full of patrons in the usual monochrome Melbourne black. It felt like a bit of a political statement in a way!

So yes, I wore Vogue 1256! And I have to say that I did a GREAT job of adjusting that bodice. The neckline stayed put all night, and I felt that I scrubbed up rather well!

The pattern envelope describes this dress as lined, mock wrap dress has fitted bodice. Wrong side of fabric shows. Purchased jewelled applique. What a scanty description! It also has cowl sleeves, a front overlay on the skirt with an attached flounce (the only place where the wrong side of the fabric might show), and a pleated bodice and skirt.

Many of the instructions appeared to be written more for a woven than for a stretch fabric, even though this pattern specified stretch. That’s not unusual with Vogue patterns though! I did most of the construction on the overlocker, but used the machine a fair bit for basting pleats and similar. I also did a french seam to attach the flounce to the front skirt overlay, but finished the edges of the flounce with an overlocked rolled hem.

The fabric is a poly/spandex from Spotlight. I can’t work out what this print reminds me of. Is it a little astronomical – like galaxies glowing in the darkness? I used the same fabric as the bodice lining, but used a beige solid from stash to line the skirt. Rather than hand-hemming the dress as per the pattern instructions, I used a twin needle on the skirt and sleeve hems after stabilising them with Vliesofix. I cut this dress out at size 14 after checking the measurements on the pattern pieces. And as we know, I should have made an FBA in the first place.

I really liked the waist bling – an applique from Darn Cheap Fabrics. It worked beautifully with the dress! I found the necklace there too, and picked up a pair of heels that I would never otherwise wear from the Diana Ferrari outlet. They were surprisingly comfortable (which is a bit of an oxymoron when talking about heeled shoes).

I will have another opportunity to wear this outfit when I’m on work conference in October, which I am happy about!

I’m looking forward to seeing some of the photos that were taken popping up around blogland – because I failed to take my camera and only had a few dodgy phone snaps!  Rachel has already blogged her stunning dress over here.  Thanks to all who made it such a great evening, and apologies to those I didn’t get the chance to speak to but whose outfits I admired from afar!