It seemed like a good idea.....

Somehow I've got to turn this (netting, lace, lining, interfacing, zip, boning, thread, assorted flowers and did I mention the seven metres of shantung taffeta)

into a dress for the gala dinner at the Discworld Convention on Sunday 20th August.

I blame Mum for a) offering to help me make the dress and b) telling me not to worry that the pattern I really liked was labelled as an advanced one. The french instructions on the pattern describe it as plus difficile which sounds even harder than advanced if you ask me. Fortunately Mum is an experienced dressmaker (and very patient with me) and so I'm vaguely confident that it'll end up looking something like this (the one on the right)

Wish me luck! So far it's taken two days to cut out all the pattern pieces and fabric. I've also discovered that compared to the pattern I have a low waist and so I've learnt how to drop the waist and raise the hips. Steep learning curve here I come...