clever bean

*apologies in advance for the crazy amount of photos in this post*

i am feeling ever so slightly pleased with myself, because you see, i made myself a dress, well i made the practice version of a dress, using the Japanese pattern book i brought a few weeks ago from m is for make

i did take my time with this, having traced the pattern a few weeks ago, then spent an evening cutting out the fabric, 

i then spent yesterday afternoon sewing it all together, thanks mostly to the very helpful diagrams in the book, it all came together very easily

the sleeves were the trickiest part,

most unlike me, i thought it best to have a practice run before i went out & brought some fabric with which to make this, so i used the off cuts from a cheapo pair of ikea curtains i had taken up when we moved, so it's just a light natural cotton, 

but thinking i may just be able to wear this around the house i couldn't resist adding a little touch of colour!

i love how it all turned out & even more i love the fact that i made it, i have spent today day dreaming about the possible fabrics i will use to make the 'real' version (i'm thinking a fine baby cord for the winter - worn with tights & boots)

now i just need to wipe this silly grin off my face!