Finally! A dress.

One of my ambitions when starting the year was to learn to sew and to make my own clothes. Rather than struggle through alone I went to Junk Shopin Manchester for a four session dress making class.

The class took us through the whole process from taking measurements, making up a form (like a personal body blueprint), making a pattern, cutting the fabric and sewing into a final finished dress.

I designed a high-waisted dress with slightly wide shoulders in two colours. Black at the top and a green cat fabric for the skirt. (All fabric is from ends of rolls that would be thrown away.)

The sewing part was surprisingly easy, none of the snagging, tearing and breaking of thread I remember from classes.

When I tried my dress on at the end I fully expected it not to fit. After all it was my very first attempt. But it fitted perfectly. I don't think I have ever felt so proud, it's a lovely feeling having made something from scratch.

The finished dress, accessorized with vintage 80s belt and gold cat broach.

Scribbling future ideas......(possibly over ambitiously!)