Graduation Dress!

So today I had my graduation ceremony!! What a brilliant day!

And this is the dress I wore:

I was originally going to wear one I had spotted in Monsoon, but it wasn't really anything special or particularly well fitted. So I thought that since I had the time I'd make one. 



It's based on the Simplicity Project Runway pattern 2588. I really like it because it's smart but a bit different, particularly the sleeveless version which I opted for. I chose the fitted skirt rather than the bigger skirt because I thought it would be smarter for the occasion. 

It has been so comfortable to wear today and I've had a few compliments on it, which was lovely. I wore a thin black belt with it to highlight the waist of the dress. It also has pockets which came in very useful today! 



To anyone who is graduating soon here are two tips: safety pins and hair grips are essential! One to hold your gown in place, the other to keep the hat on your head!

Alterations

So I altered my first shop-bought item today! Two items in fact.

I've never altered anything I've bought before because I've been too scared of ruining it, but today I went for it. I tried on a maxi dress I have from Topshop this morning which has an elasticated back, but it was too big and was falling down a bit - really not ideal what with it being strapless! So I got the sewing machine out and took in the sides. It worked brilliantly and now my pretty maxi dress fits again! Although it does still need taking up (extremely rare for me at 5ft 10 - not sure who this dress actually fitted!) but that needed red thread finding and the sewing machine rethreaded...So that's for another day.

I also bought another top in Topshop the other day in a sort of flowery tapestry print. It was a couple of sizes too big but they had sold out on the internet and I really love it! So I bought it anyway because it looked easy enough to take in...and now I finally have! It's a much better fit now.

Next to do is take up my dress from Monsoon. This one's really nice, in a nice sort of berry colour and a flattering fit but it's a really awkward length, just below the knee. I'm just hoping this goes as well as my other alterations.