Garment info:
Fabric: 100% cotton, Lecien Spicy Scrap Palette fabric collection. I bought 4m ages ago from Miss Matatabi on Etsy for something like $16/m. For this dress I used 1.6m (exactly as the instruction suggested).
Time spent: 3 hours without muslin + 1.5 for the wearable muslin.
Notions: 1 button covered with black silk, recycled from an old skirt.
Sizing: XS for the bodice and S for the top. But now  when I look at my bum in the pictures, maybe I should've made in M?

The instructions that go together with the pattern are super easy to follow. But if you feel lost, Pattern Runway posted a detailed tutorial with photos on their blog.

I wanted to have this dress ASAP! Moving apartment took us ages and I was not able to sew for several weeks! Therefore, I overlocked all of the edges and used handwork only to catchstitch the armhole and neck facing to the dress.

I would recommend this pattern to everybody: from beginners to experienced sewers. You can do so much with it - from using different fabrics to
tweaking the pattern itself. I can see this dress with a lower neckline in sheer fabric. Another one could be drafted as one piece in a knit fabric. I also plan to make several tops playing with the sleeves length. Unlimited choice!!!!

Lizz from A Good Wardrobe created two variations of the same pattern in the past. Have a look here and here. I particularly like her Art Nouveau dress with a navy bow. It suits her beautifully, don't you think?

This fabric is so pretty and colorful! It's so me! (When I show you my new sewing room you'll understand why ;)) Besides, I'm glad I got 4m of it, just not sure what I'll use it for next. Any ideas? Last, but not least, I have a garment that matches my cute flowery shoes :) I know, it's stupid to admit, but I bought these shoes because I loved them and not because they matched anything in my wardrobe. Finally!!! The dress + the shoes = Spring & Summer palette + happy me!!!

The photos were taken late in the evening, sorry for the bad lighting.

Bodice back detail

In couple of days I'll show you the finished dress which is a part of my Spring/Summer palette challenge.

I loved the section about tailoring. Many interesting insights into jacket construction

My absolutely favorite is this part!!!! Claire Shaeffer shares 3 different methods bound buttonholes

Pattern review with some cute spring/supper ideas

This year I wanted to try create my own prints. The article came in timely

Three ways to home-made pleats! Can't wait to try.

Do you also read Threads Magazine? Online or off-line version, or both? Do you like it?

While there are still 4 days before we move to the new apartment and our current apartment is full of boxes, I cannot sew but I can dream and start developping my Spring & Summer palette. If you don't know what is it, visit coletterie.com or click the little pin on the right for more details.

Finally! We are moving to a big(ger) apartment! I can't tell you how happy and relieved I am. For the last 2 years my tiny 40m2 apartment was a prison for me. Some of you might laugh, but in fact 40m2 is a pretty small place for 2 adults, 2 sewing machines and 1 overlock. 

To give you an idea what the sewing has been to me in the past, here is our living room which was also a sewing room, laundry room (you can't actually see the laundry, it's behind the sewing machine on the left), study and dining room. 

Trying to cut silk organza for my skirt.

Sewing in such conditions has been quite a challenge. I was lucky enough to use the ESMOD classroom before or after the class and cut the fabric for my personal projects. But during holidays, which are ending this weekend, it's been a nightmare. 4-5 hours of laying out the fabric on and cutting it on the floor would give me a 5-6 days back and neck pain. "Bloody hell!"  I said few days ago, waking up with the most horrible pain. I have stopped sewing until I move to a better place. SOOOOOOOOOOOONNNNNNNN..

Crazy house!

It's all happening next weekend (in 8 days) and guess what? I am entitled to a sewing room! Just for myself and nobody else!

All excited for the new room and dreaming how to equip it, I've ordered this adjustable body form from Amazon. I think it's the best of all the adjustable forms that I could find on the internet. Many people complain that the body is pretty light (almost 5kg) and wobbly. But at the moment being mentally prepared for this, I am quite OK. When I start feeling like I am Coco Chanel, I might order the custom-made mannequin, but for the time being this perfectly matches my needs.

Do you own a similar body form? What's your experience of it?

Sunny Sunday in Shimokitazawa

Funky comics pattern. I could not resist it.

Me being silly

Pretending to be cold

Being silly again

Yellow is a perfect color for spring

Lining from the inside

I zigzagged the lining and then catstitched it to the shell

What would I change in the future Minoru? I plan to make 2 more Minoru: one in the waterproof fabric with the hood and another one in more solid fabric for the colder weather. I would add pockets just bellow the bust-line which I find more cozy. Zipper pannel and collar would be made in contrasting fabric.

"Dressmaking" is the name this Japanese magazine. Our story was a destiny. On my birthday we went to one of the coolest book shops in the world (No kidding!) After spending hours browsing in the shop we went to Anjin cafe to treat ourselves with the outstanding hot chocolate (¥900 a cup aie!!). The shelves in this "living room" are filled with magazines arranged by topic. And as I lifted my eyes from the cup of hot chocolate the first word I saw was ドレスマーキング. I took few issues and my eyes lit up with excitement: the magazine features detailed explanations to patternmaking, reports on the "latest fashion from Paris" and, of course, stylish Japanese ladies. Unfortunately, the magazine was not for sale and I started looking for a place online to buy it. And here they are, cute CUTE 2 issues of ドレスマーキング which costed me ¥7000 but I consider it as my be-later birthday present.

I shut up for now and flick through some pages

Fancy underwear! It says" Brassiere", Slip petticoat", "Camisole"

Paris street fashion. That's how ladies in Paris looked like in early 50's

October elegance! I can so imagine myself wer this chic ensemble

Lots of very detailed instruction to patternmaking

Japanese beautiful ladies

More Japanese ladies of the early 50's

Latest Dior collection and some funky ad on the left ;)

More haute couture. Makes dreamy even girls from the 2010', no?

Dior's wedding dress

Jokes are timeless!!!

BROTHER antique ad.

Isn't it cool!?