What is World Frocktails?

World Frocktails is a week of online events filled with sewing community inspiration ranging from panel talks to sewalongs to cocktail and mocktail sessions with community leaders February 8-13, 2021. It will be a combination of live sessions, recordings and blog posts with special guests.

Every live event will be recorded for ticket holders to re-watch at their convenience.

Who is hosting World Frocktails?

Topstitch Studio and Lounge, the Hosts of the sewing community Topstitch Makers.

But anyone, anywhere can host an in-person or online Frocktails party. We do not claim to own or be in charge of Frocktails. Frocktails originated in 2013 Melbourne by Kat Guerts who wanted to have special party celebrating the sewing community and their handmade clothes. Kat says now, “I always say Frocktails is bigger than any one person, and the event brings people together which was the reason behind it. Up until social media, sewing was a solitary hobby. Especially this year, we need events to bring us together!”

Why is it called World Frocktails and not Atlanta Frocktails if Topstitch is in Atlanta?

Because it is not limited to Atlanta and anyone can attend or participate online.

When?

The main events will take place Feb 8-13th online in the “Frocktails Ballroom” (a page online) at Topstitch Makers.

The ballroom doors will open January 25th. This is so you can meet, mingle, share your sewing inspiration and have time to gather any supplies for the sewalongs and cocktails sessions before the main event.

How?

On January 25th anyone who has purchased a ticket will receive an email with instructions for entering the Frocktails Ballroom (the online link to enter) and the program for the week. Once there, you can view the live events and RSVP for the ones you would like to attend and sync those events to your calendar. Anyone who purchases a ticket after January 25th will receive a “Welcome to World Frocktails” email with info on acessing the space. First you will receive a regular order confirmation then a separate welcome email. Please check all your inboxes and spam if you do not see it. The welcome email is sent to the email address you enter with your order.

Each day we will also post the guest recordings and blog posts in the communal space online.

You can also enjoy the online communal space to sewcialize leading up to the main events.

Why Jan 25th? To give you two weeks to get to know each other and mingle before the main events! We also want to give attendees ample time to gather any supplies for sewalongs and cocktail + mocktial sessions.

Each live event will be over Zoom or Crowdcast. You do not need to pay for either service. For each event, it will be clear how to attend the live events. We will have more info on attending once you are inside the ballroom. You can learn about Zoom here and Crowdcast here.

Topstitch has hired an online events production company to ensure high quality experience and tech support during the live sessions.

Where?

All events will be online at Topstitch Makers, our sewcial community, in the Frocktails Ballroom (a page online.) You will receive your link to enter on January 25th if you purchase your ticket by January 25th. Anyone who purchases a ticket after Jan 25th will be sent the link to enter 48 hrs after the purchase of their ticket.

You can also attend the live events and participate via the free app (which you will have access to once you enter.)

What is Topstitch Makers?

Topstitch Makers is a membership sewcial community created by Topstitch Studio and Lounge. It is a collaborative platform for unique engagement, recorded and live sewalong events.

Do I need to be a Topstitch Makers Member to attend Frocktails?

No you do not, but all ticket holders will have access to the community for 2 months (Jan 25 - March 25, during which time you can access the recordings) and if you want to join afterwards, you can.

Why is the event held there and not on this web site?

Because the Topstitch Makers web site has an events platform built in that is unique and designed for online community events. We explored many online events platforms (there are so many now!) and decided the one we are already using for online events such as live sewalongs and Q&A sessions suits the needs perfectly.

Do I have to make a Frocktails garment to attend?

No you do not! You don’t even have to know how to sew. Anyone can attend this event, even if you are new to sewing or just curious about the sewing community. If you would like to sew a garment for fun and post about it in the communal blog feed or attend one of the finale live sessions to show off what you have made, you can, but you don’t have to!

May I attend the live sewalongs but not actually sew?

Yes, you can just come and hang out during the sessions if you would like. You are not required to sew.

Do I need to take off from work to attend this event?

If there are multiple live sessions you especially want to attend while they are live, then you might want to consider taking off from work on certain days or part days. Think of this event a bit like a conference or expo where there are various things you can choose to attend and if you wanted to attend those things, you might need to be off from work.

Since this event is online, though, this also depends on your type of work wether or not you would need to be off. For example, a live session or two might be running during what would be considered a lunch break that you could attend without necessarily taking off. The full schedule will be posted January 8th.

Do I need to buy supplies for the sewing sessions?

Yes, if you would like to join the sewalongs or complete the projects in the sewing recordings, you will need supplies for them. A supply list will be posted here on the web site on Jan 25, which give two weeks to gather supplies. There will be a discount offered to ticket holders for the two patterns used in the live sewalongs with Elisalex and Allie.

How long will I have access to the recordings?

Until March 25.

What is the raffle about?

We’ve chosen three charities to support. Those Charities are Build a Nest, Textile Exchange and Global Fund For Women. We’ve chosen charities that aim to support sustainable practices, ethical working conditions, women’s rights, social and racial justice. Anyone who purchases a $2 or $5 raffle ticket is entered to win a bundle of sewing prizes. All sales of raffle tickets will be split evenly between the three charities. See the Charity Raffle page for full details!

Regarding the charity drawing, anyone who purchases a raffle ticket is added to a spreadsheet automatically with their name, quantity of raffle ticket purchases, raffle ticket type and order number. Then their name and raffle type, quantity will be put in a randomizer for the drawing. So if someone enters the $2 drawing 10 times, their name and info will be added to the randomizer 10 times for that raffle ticket drawing.

What is the Virtual Goodie Bag?

A number of our lovely sponsors have generously offered attendees discounts to their products or services. The virtual goodie bag is filled with these offers! You will receive your virtual goodie bag on Feb 8. It will be prominently placed in the Frocktails Ballroom (the page online) for you to access. It will also be in the program for the week.

What are the ticket options?

We have 3 ticket options as well as 2 raffle ticket add on options.

Topstitch Makers Members get the best deal in the house! If you are a member of Topstitch Makers, or become one, the ticket is $25 for the week and is purchased inside Topstitch Makers once you are a member (it is clear inside where to get your Frocktails ticket.)

The 2 regular ticket options are below and can be purchased HERE:

All Access Ticket Option 1 - for $35

• ALL week pass

• The virtual goodie bag

• 2 months access to Topstitch Makers (Jan 25 - March 25)

All Access Ticket option 2 - for $75

• ALL week pass

• The virtual goodie bag

• One Year Membership to Topstitch Makers

Raffle tickets

The raffle ticket option is an add on option to support 3 charities and possibly win a mega bundle of lovely prizes. Raffle tickets are $2 or $5 for two different tiers of raffle prizes. See the charity raffle page for more info.

What if I can’t attend everything? Can I just purchase certain sessions individually?

We do not have the option to purchase events individually during the week. The ticket price is set for the whole week. If you are not able to attend every live session, they will be recorded for you to watch at your convenience. The entire week is $35. We tried to make it reasonable even if you can only attend a few things.