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Perth Sewcial Soiree!

Reef dress layered over navy turtleneck // Megan Nielsen Design Diary

That time of year has arrived again, when a bunch of gals who love sewing have an excuse to make a new outfit and hang out together yabbing about french seams! Perth Sewcial Soiree was this past weekend, and happened to occur on the same night as Brisbane Spoolettes Frocktails and CBR Sewing Crew Spring Fling (Canberra). Somehow that made the whole thing even more fun to me – to think that across Australia we were all getting together and celebrating sartorial sewing! Melbourne Frocktails is on Nov 26th and appears to be sold out already which is amazingly awesome.

Reef dress layered over navy turtleneck // Megan Nielsen Design Diary
Reef dress layered over navy turtleneck // Megan Nielsen Design Diary

We had a lovely meal and drinks at the Old Laundry in North Perth, organised by lovely Nat of Sew For Life. I spend a lot of time sewing on my own, and don’t meet that many people who sew too (and when i do I act like a crazed lunatic and latch on like they are my new best friend) so getting to hang out with other like minded ladies is such a treat. I loved seeing a lot of people I knew, and meeting a tonne that I hadn’t before. So many good chats about sewing projects! This is also a very rare situation in which it is perfectly acceptable to randomly touch other peoples clothing and ooh and ahh over their fabric. I did it. A lot. No regrets hehe.

I hope this kind of idea takes off around the world! Sewing can be a solitary hobby, and i think it’s great to take any opportunity to meet up and share our interests.

So this is what I wore! I lengthened my Reef camisole pattern into a slip dress (i promise i will do a tutorial!), and used a lovely black crepe that i bought at a fabric clearance from a local designer: Morrison. At the last minute i decided the night was too cold and put a turtleneck on underneath. I’m pretty happy with that decision as it was damn cold, plus layering under slip dresses is a thing again, so lets just roll with it. I really love how it turned out, and I think this dress is going to get a lot of use for me, filling a gap in my wardrobe. I’m thinking it will be great as  LBD for date nights, but also work well with sneakers and possibly a tee underneath.

This was most definitely not the most interesting outfit of the night – there were so many amazing makes – i honestly wish i had brought my camera with. That’s my goal for next year, take lots of photos! Everyone really outdid themselves. Check out more Sewcial Soiree goodness here and I would highly recommend finding out if there is something like this near where you live, or start it up yourself!

ps. yes my legs are very very pale… winter is unkind to pale people hehehe

Reef dress layered over navy turtleneck // Megan Nielsen Design Diary
Reef dress layered over navy turtleneck // Megan Nielsen Design Diary
About Author

Meg is the Founder and Creative Director of Megan Nielsen Patterns, and is constantly dreaming up ideas for new sewing patterns and ways to make your sewing journey more enjoyable! She gets really excited about design details and is always trying to add way too many variations to our patterns.

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Colesworth
6 years ago

lovely ensemble and yes, such fun to think of the sewing celebrations in different cities! Thanks for contributing to ours too ;o)

PsychicKathleen
PsychicKathleen
6 years ago

Well just seeing the flexibility of this pattern (and I love your jumper!) I could suddenly see so many possibilities – even tunic length with leggings over a simple tee all in a nice knit. I’m excited now :) Thank you Megan for this post. Inspirational!

Pilar
6 years ago

I love the bit when you say… ‘I don’t meet that many people who sew too, and when i do I act like a crazed lunatic and latch on like they are my new best friend’. I’m glad I’m not the only one!! That totally my case too!
And I also loved your outfit! I loved the reef top lengthen into a dress, it’s the perfect slip dress. You look great in it!
I wish there were those kind of gatherings where I live, or just some kind of gathering, doesn’t need to be that fancy! But sewing is just starting to pick up here in Spain and it’s quite difficult to find people that are into sewing. Let alone young people that are into sewing… sometimes I think I should start it myself, but I think I would be the only one attending…

Fadanista
6 years ago

This dress is stunning and so on trend. It was great to catch up with you again, Megan, and I can’t wait for the next time.

Fadanista
6 years ago
Reply to  Meg

My outfit was so simple, Meg!

Anita Morris
6 years ago

This sounds like sooooo much fun!!! Yeah, I don’t know people in my community who sew either. I went to a sewing conference the last 2 years and your comment about acting like a “crazed lunatic” made me laugh so hard because I so get it. I felt like I was on a cloud at this last conference. I will have to look into local sewing events. Surely there has to be something I’m not aware of here. Your dress is absolutely gorgeous, and so is your hair. Beautiful lady!