before and after

i've been watching my budget recently, which means i've not updated my wardrobe since i came back from japan a year ago. (plus the shopping in canada just doesn't compare!) so when i was in new york, i picked up this book from kinokuniya in the hopes that it will inspire me to finally, finally get up the courage to venture into sewing my own clothes.

the weather didn't cooperate yesterday for the outdoor Big on Bloor festival, and i was forced to pack up my table after sitting for two hours waiting for the rain to stop. i won't elaborate on how disappointed i was.

i woke up today feeling like i needed to accomplish something, anything, so not to have spent this weekend in vain. so i dug out the one dress in my closet that has been sitting since grade eight graduation... (miraculously i still fit. how have i not grown any taller since then?!)


(sorry for the crappy quality - i'm not used to taking self portraits!)

it's a very long dress in a pattern that i'm not too crazy about. plus the length was not very flattering! i decided to modify it based on this pattern:


and...three hours later...voila! my first sewn outfit ever! i'm quite happy with the result - i think i'll be wearing this out lots for casual outings this summer.


it's not entirely from scratch, but hey, baby steps, right?