Ah, Melbourne Frocktails!  It’s been ages since I last attended Frocktails, as it has often clashed with my Sewjourn weekends, and it didn’t happen at all over the past couple of years.  So it was lovely to meet up with sewing people again!  Shelley and Lisa did a superb job of organising it; the food was delicious and plentiful, and the lighting stayed turned up so that we could clearly admire and appreciate one another’s outfits! Here’s some of the #sewover50 crowd:

So, what did I wear? I needed something that would be straightforward to sew, and comfortable to wear (gee I really do use the word comfortable a lot when talking about sewing clothing – you can really tell that it’s important to me). For a while I’d be thinking of sewing Vogue 8825 again, and when picking up the denim for my Square Pants from Super Cheap Fabrics my eyes alighted on some navy knit that had lurex running through it.

Metallic fibres in fabrics have a tendency to be scratchy, but this one was a medium weight fabric and knitted in such a way that the metallic didn’t scratch at all. There was also plenty of spandex content, which helped with recovery.

I first sewed this in 2013, and judging from the 63 Pattern Reviews of Vogue 8825 it was released in 2012! It’s still available today, so has clearly been a popular pattern. From the Vogue website: Pullover tunic or dress has front extending into back collar, fitted, pleated, surplice bodice front, raised empire waist, tie ends, two-piece blouson sleeves with barrel cuffs, and stitched hem. Fitted, straight-leg pants (below waist) have elastic waist.

I had originally made this pattern in size 14, with petite adjustments. I was considerably slimmer then but was pretty certain that the same size would work for the bodice as long as I altered the skirt portion. In the end I cut the skirt with an additional inch along either side seam, even more along the waistline.

I needed to pin the centre front to avoid major bra exposure when I moved. It was absolutely fine when I just stood straight, but unsurprisingly it gaped when I tried to do anything other than stand still and straight! If I sewed this again I would possibly cut a larger size along the front to allow for more overlap. Or I could just wear a camisole underneath.

I eased the skirt onto the bodice and added a couple of judiciously placed pleats to transition between the size 14 bodice and much larger skirt. Because I was working with a knit, and there is a long wide waist sash, this worked just fine! I was very happy with the fit through the body.

There was a houseful of adulteens when I was finishing the dress, so I consulted them on the best length. The decision was made for above the knee because it ‘slayed’. I also popped in some small raglan shoulder pads that had been in the cupboard since the 1980s. They really gave this dress a lift and balanced out the proportions of my body nicely. I narrowed the sleeve cuffs considerably to make them tighter around my wrist and have noted that pretty much everyone who has sewn this dress has needed to do the same.

Those are end-of-night photos above, which is why they are inside and I’m looking a bit bleary – Clare kindly picked me up from the bus stop at midnight! One of the upsides of having an adulteen who stays up late and has her license. You can find details of the coat made for 2015 Frocktails in this blog post. I still love it and find every opportunity to wear it.

Of course the highlight of Frocktails was meeting up with sewing friends both old and new, some I hadn’t met ‘in real life’ before! There was a great deal of chat; it was delightful.  I am constantly astounded by the talent that is found within the sewing community and love that it spans the age spectrum.

Although I generally prefer smallish gatherings that allow for more in-depth conversation, the venue really did allow for comfy spots to sit and really get in to conversation. It was an excellent evening.