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I recently had the pleasure of attending Frocktails 2019 in Clackheaton where designer Laura Casey of Sew Different Patterns has her studio. It was the second this sewcial event has been held. The event also includes day workshops if you wanted to add that to your ticket. You could choose between sewing a Pontoon dress with STitchlessTV, sew your own leather bag with Tara Loves Handles and Bags or a Long line Coat with Laura.

I recorded a vlog of the day which you can watch here as well –

Sewing Talks

Debbie Shore Talk at Frocktails 2019

I had a wonderful night of joyful sewing entertainment with inspiring talks from some of the sewing world’s most accomplished women. Debbie Shore of the Half Yard Club spoke first sharing her story of how she got to be where she is now. She is so engaging and the time went by as she dropped pearl after pearl of wisdom. By the time her talk was over I was filled with motivation to go for my dreams despite what anyone may say. It was an inspiring talk.

Janet Poole from GBSB Talk

We also got some behind the scenes insight from Janet Poole – who was in the most recent season of the Great British Sewing Bee (and yes apparently Mr Patrick Grant is just as gorgeous in person as he is on TV).. She is such a lovely and charming woman full of captivating sewing stories. She also did the catwalk with her amazing collection of dresses – I was taking notes so I could add to my collection. She wore the most amazing dress in a vintage green Liberty wool fabric. The pattern was the Mary Quant free pattern from the V&A. I fell for the pattern and yes- I downloaded it the next day. I thoroughly enjoyed her talk which she supported with slides of her notes from her time on GBSB. 

StitchlessTV Draping Demo

We also got to see a live bodice draping demo from Tree of STitchlessTV. She is the genius designer behind The Sculptural Bucket Coat and has a long running sewing YouTube channel where she shares her incredible sewing knowhow. I highly recommend her channel – it is a font of expertise. She showed us how to use a tailors dummy to drape your very own custom made bodice sloper. It was all quite fascinating and it made me want to give it try very soon.

Frocktails2019 Catwalk

Laura also planned a catwalk where we got to show a combination of Sew Different patterns, clothes from my closet, some from Eleonore (nelnanandnora), Janet Poole’s own garments, Adaku (dovetailed.co.uk). We had so much fun in the changing room. My younger sister Melba (Melbas Finest) agreed to help out as we needed more models so the transitions would be smoother. I can’t remember the last time I went out with my sister and this was like that. She wore my clothes better than me! I was so proud of her. There was Prosecco in the changing room so by the time we walked some of us were nicely lubricated (not me though as I am a teetotaller but I held a glass anyway as that looks good in pictures!).

This being my second time doing a catwalk – I was much more relaxed than last year when my heart was thumping. I felt like an old pro and was even able to walk slowly enough and not dance about to the beat of the music. The music was banging!

Laura is launching a new range of fabrics she has designed herself and they were used to make some samples of the garments that went out on the catwalk first. 

Separately – a total of 12 of my garments were used in the catwalk and it was surreal seeing other people wear my garments. It was also interesting to see how a dress can look totally different on a different body build. We both fit into the dress but it looks completely different! How wonderful to have had the privilege to see that.

Frocktails2019 Best Dress Competition Winners

Attendees had the option of entering the best dress competition if they wanted to. They did this by pinning a badge with a number on it. The judges would mingle with the attendees taking notes on the dresses that were in the competition. I was one of the four judges along with Tree, Debbie, and Janet. It was a hard job to do – there were so many stunning garments. I got to announce the winners and thus ticked off one of my bucket list items – announce best dress winners at a Frocktails event. The winning garments were really something else – the pictures are a bit fuzzy due to the evening lighting but check out the Frocktails2019 video to see them. The licorice Closet Case Patterns Kalle Shirtdress was amazing. The best overall dress was vintage themed fit and flare Gertie dress of which she had also sewn a bra in matching fabric! Wow wow wow!

The prizes

I lamented to Laura how I’d resign my judging job so that I too, could enter the best dress competition because the prizes were just wow! The best overall dress got a £100 voucher from Willian Gee! All the winning Best use of Fabric, Best fitted Dress, Most creative got gifts from Fabworks, Dovetailed online shop, 1-year free subscription to the Pattern Pages, The Denim Company gifts. All incredible. 

The shops

There were stalls to buy fabric from Dovetailed.co.uk who sell fabulous African wax print fabrics. I really like Adaku and we bonded over the fact that she also has very young children. Her shop includes simple sewing patterns that work well for wax prints. There was also Cassie from Emporio patterns wearing the most gorgeous swoon-worthy dress – the Cassie dress. Emporio patterns are a small family-owned company based in Canterbury with both women and kids sewing patterns being sold at discounted prices there. Linton Tweed was in attendance with some show-stoppingly beautiful fabrics which were being sold at a shocking discount. Did you know that Linton tweed supply Chanel? The fabrics are truly a sight to behold. All the Sew Different patterns were on offer as well. There was a pattern swap that I didn’t really get a chance to see as I was talking and chatting so much.

The Food

There was a buffet meal which I totally missed out on as I was trying to find out where someone had bought a beautiful fabric they were wearing #notastalker:-). 

What I wore 

I had planned to wear my recently finished sequins dress however given that we were upon Remembrance Sunday I wore my red poppies Marfy dress (still needs to be blogged). And I wore it with fancy River island trainers – I pulled a Serena Williams – wearing a nice gown but have comfortable shoes underneath!

It was such a brilliant night – highlights include but not limited to _

Meeting and chatting with a fellow vintage sewing machine lover

Discovering Japanese Kokka corduroy fabric

Fondling heavenly Linton tweeds

Nearly tripping on the catwalk

Winging it while handing out the presents

Being inspired to sew an animal print shirtdress by Kimberley sews

Doing a catwalk with my lil sister Melba (Bella and Gigi Hadid better watch out!)

Whew – I think that’s about it but oh wow I can not wait for the next Frocktails event – they just keep getting better.

Thanks for stopping by!

Peace and love,

Hila