Sunday, September 27, 2015

Frocktails 2016

Well hello!

Life has certainly been interesting since the August frocktails and it's taken me a while to focus on the next event. 

So here are the details for the next Frocktails....You have spoken, and I have listened, so a summer Frocktails it will be! Don't stress if you don't like the heat, a winter event will also be held. 


Date: 16th of January, 2016
Time: 6pm 
Venue: Collins quarter 
Cost: TBA 

We're sticking to the cocktail and canapé format, with a slight bit of tweaking due to the feedback we received eg for the last event, more food and less alcohol. 

Tickets will be sold through the Sew Squirrel store in a first come, first served basis. There will be plenty of tickets available, and lots of publicity (blog, Instagram) on when tickets will be released. 

In the coming weeks we will be releasing more information such as FQA, ticketing and maybe I'll finally get around to recapping the August Frocktails!

One woman is not an island, so for the 2016 event, I have thankfully received offers of help! 
My main ladies are Renay and Libby, @windingbobbin and @liblib for all the Instagram lovers out there. We have more helpers, and will be shouting out love and thanks to them as the planning goes on.
I will also be sending out all the information on @melbournefrocktails account so you might like to follow it! 

Thanks for reading,

Kat x


Thursday, August 20, 2015

Once it's gone, it's gone.

I wrote a lovely long post about frocktails, who was there, what people wore etc and unfortunately when I went to post it, instead of pressing publish, I pressed delete as I am an idiot. Oh well, life moves on. 

Look out for one when the tears have subsided (jokes). In all seriousness, it will be a few days...



Wednesday, July 1, 2015

Another sewaway make (kwik sew 3801)


Details:
Pattern: kwik sew 3801
Size: M
Fabric: wool blend knit from Gorman
Price: $4pm (the same fabric in blue is $8pm)

Alternations: 
Shaped the arm holes and side seams
Took off 3cm off the side seam
Narrowed the sleeves by 3.5cm - I hate loose sleeves.
Didn't hem the sleeves or bottom hem
Add the sleeves from view A

Comments:
Would I make this again?  
Of course!! It's a great pattern that would look great in lots of sweater fabrics.
The fabric is wonderful, I'm not sure I would look good in orange, yet I wear it anyway, usually with a scarf to put some colour between my face and the top. 
The fabric doesn't fray so I didn't need to hem it.
I will however lengthen the top by 2.5cm and hem it on my next version. 
Shorten the sleeves by 4cm and hem. I just adjust this while I'm wearing it. 
As Liz pointed out, the is something you would see in witchery or the like, however I like my top better than their stuff! I really try not to be on trend. 😉

Notes for next time: 
Cut a small, it runs large. 


Tuesday, May 19, 2015

The best birthday ever!!

Today is my 30th birthday! 
One to most people which maybe depressing but I'm having such a good time so far that I think it's going to be a great year! 

Day wise
Coffee and cake with my toddler and sister and her toddler. 
Shopping
The afternoon spent at collingwood children's farm. 
Thai dinner with family. 

Present wise
I bought myself a coverstitch machine janome coverpro CPX1000 in January, new in box. I didn't use it until I needed it for my birthday dress. 
I received money so I bought two attachments, with a third on the way!! Thank you friends!!
A spotlight voucher and patterns. 
Nice underwear, I need new bras so I indulged myself on some special stuff. 


Saturday, April 4, 2015

Sorbetto: Wildly Unflattering


I thought that this fit well and looked good.
I think not. I wore it out a lot before these photos. It's such a shame as I love the fabric, which was a remnant from the cloth shop, it's beautiful voile, purchased about 4.5 years ago.












What do I really need?

I need a new wardrobe, specifically tops, I've put on more weight, too much really, since the toddler was born, and my old clothes don't fit and my shape has changed dramatically because of it. Im struggling to get it off, so for now I'll live with it. Also I really struggle with what I find to be flattering theses days. My waist isn't as small as it use to be so now I'm not sure what does flatter me.
Taking stock of what I need in my winter wardrobe since it is getting so much colder I need warm layering clothing, specifically a few long sleeve knit tops and some cardigans, a few dresses would be nice but not neccassary. I don't wear dresses that much anymore.

Some patterns I'd love to use:

McCall's 6996

Kwik Sew 3801


Vogue 8952
Vogue 9056
I don't have much more than that planned but I think thats enough for now.
Ps all the drawings/ models are brunettes. Is it a sign? (joking)

What cost?

It's that dreaded time of year...insurance renewal! I hate it, as most  insurance companies won't be giving you a better deal unless you change providers. When I was shopping around for home and contents insurance, I did a very rough tally on our contents and came up with a value. I showed Ben and his first question was "does that include all your sewing stuff?"

I love that man! No it didn't, I didn't leave it out on purpose I just struggled to find a number that would reflect how much I think it's worth and the actual value.
I know what my machines would be worth if they need replacing, but what would the modern and vintage patterns, books, tools and fabric be worth? I think I would be in the low range of five digit! Writing it sounds overwhelming but as long as my stash is kept in storage containers its very managable. I hope to sell my vintage patterns soon.

I hope never to have my house and possesion destroyed as I'm not sure I could bring myself to buy my stash again!


Tuesday, January 13, 2015

Frocktails: an update

Well who would of thought that little old Frocktails would garner so much attention! Not I that's for sure. 

Unfortunately Longrain can't accommodate the ladies on the waiting list and because I'm a nice person who obviously loves hard work, I'm now searching for a venue in the CBD for a venue for the same price and up to 40 people. 

So to all those who have a ticket, I'll send you an email once the details are changed (1-2 months max). It will still be on the same night just at a different venue. 

Waiting list ladies, I will aim to find a venue in the next few weeks. Once I have a venue we will release more tickets, to ensure we are fair to everyone I will advertise a date by Instagram, and my blog and this time when they are gone, they are gone. 

The cuisine is most likely to change and now I'm thinking of a cocktail style party to accommodate the extra numbers. I will try very hard to keep the price the same. 

If you want to be apart of Frocktails, and haven't already emailed me, please email me at allegravintage@gmail.com with "frocktail tickets" in the title. If you don't email but comment on Instagram or my blog etc, I'm afraid it won't count so please email me. It's really hard to keep track of everyone and I want the organising to run smoothly. 

Remember you only have 29 weeks and 4 days until the party starts. :)

Friday, January 9, 2015

Frocktails the third. Updated!!


Get your sewing machines to the ready, as Frocktails is back!


Details: Focktails 
When: 8th of August 2015 at 6pm sharp. 
Where: Longrain Melbourne
Dress code: this can be as fancy or as casual as you like. There is no pressure to wear your own creation, it's up to you!
Cost: one "ticket" is $72 per head, this includes all the food but be sure to bring cash for drinks. 
Food: Banquet style, see Longrain's website for the current banquet menu, however it will be a little different in August due to seasonability. 

We are doing things a little differently this time...back at Longrain but now you have to buy a "ticket" to secure your spot. Unfortunately this had to be the case as the Sydney Frocktails there were 4 ladies who didn't show on the night, it's not fair that others have to wear the cost on the evening. 

The ever lovely Sarah of Sew Squirrel will be selling the tickets through her website Sew Squirrel, there are 24 available at this stage with a few more to come pending table space. 

Want to buy a ticket? Well head to http://www.sewsquirrel.com.au/frocktails and purchase away. Please be sure to add any dietary requirements in the comments section. Longrain are excellent at catering for any requirements you may have. 

Just one further note, Sarah and I are not making any money out of the ticket, the price reflects the food, the group surcharge and the payment fees (eg PayPal) for Sarah to set up the ticket. :)

If you're going to talking about Frocktails on social media, can you please make it #frocktails so that everyone can get it to the spirit of the evening! 

Let me know if you're coming! It's going to be fabulous!

K x

Updated as of the 11th of January:

Due to the overwhelming amount of interest, the tickets have now sold out. I will be enquiring to see if we can have 10 more tickets (seats) available to us for the evening. If I am successful I will advertise the first date of purchase ( on my blog, social media etc) to ensure everyone gets a fair chance to purchase a ticket. Remember it's first in best dress and once they are gone they are gone. 
Email me your interest at allegravintage@gmail.com so I can keep you in the loop.