Vogue 1256 – the Frocktails dress
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!
You look absolutely stunning in this dress and the bodice fits beautifully.
This dress looked even better in person, thanks for sharing the construction details. Lovely to chat you last night 🙂
‘Scrubbed up rather well’ is a bit of an understatement- you’re smokin’!! And what an inspired fabric choice, it just works so well! I can’t believe I missed you again (my fault for leaving after dinner, I know)… third time lucky??
You looked fabulous – great make & it was lovely to meet you!
Your dress turned out lovely. It is nice when perseverance pays off! Perhaps you could modify this pattern to a more casual style as I could see this one becoming a TNT!
Beautiful dress you look amazing.
You know I love it! You looked amazing – and I agree with others, this has true TNT potential. So wonderful seeing you last night. Xx
you do look fantastic – you should show off your shapely legs more often in above the knee frocks! I find these events to be a little weird because you know so much about other people from their blogs but you’re only meeting them for the first time
That dress looks fantastic on you. I love the shorter hemline too. The bodice neckline is really stunning on you.
Oh fabulous!
Gorgeous dress!
There’s no way you filled the mid-forties demographic! You look amazing!
Love the “blind date” analogy. And jealous too. 🙂
This is beautiful! The fabric looks fantastic on you. Thank you also for mentioning the shoe brand.
You looked fabulous!! And I adore those sleeves especially! I really enjoyed meeting you last night – thanks for being so wonderfully warm and lovely! 😉
You look amazing in this dress! You did a great job making this and I’m so glad that you had a good time!
This dress is fabulous! Great job matching the fabric to the pattern, it fits like a glove!
This is so sharp on you! The colors, the shape- just a huge success!
Wow! That dress is a keeper — you look MAH-velous:)
Wow, just fantastic! The dress looks good too…
It turned out beautifully! Well done!
You look great! Nice job.
This really looks great Lara – the whole outfit came together perfectly. Can’t wait to hear about the night, so sorry I wasn’t there to join in the fun.
Woo hoo! You look gorgeous!! Well done on getting your outfit together – it all looks fab!
You look awesome!!
Yowzer! You look really hot in that dress. I’m thinking it’s going to be one of your husband’s favourites. It turned out really well.
You look amazing. The whole outfit screams glamour.
You look SO amazing in this dress! It’s just wonderful. I really like above the knee on you – more above the knee dresses! Go!