Coming down the final stretch...

Last night, I sewed the remainder of the skirt onto the bodice.  Of course, I steam cleaned my carpets first, and made dinner (lamb coconut curry with my own curry powder, and steamed green beans) first. So much for a full evening of sewing. : )  But, the skirt went on fairly quickly and without any problems. Until I tried to put it on the dummy. That's when I realized that the 10" of unpleated skirt I had left unattached wasn't quite enough to get the garment on and off. :sigh:  I debated cutting the stitches holding the skirt to the bodice to give more easement, but I didn't think that would give enough room. Instead, I did what I had been adamantly avoiding, and I cut a 5" opening into the top center front of the skirt.  It worked perfectly. I'll add a tiny hem to the opening, and whip stitch it closed; then I'll just be smart about the hook and eye gig to keep it closed.  BUT, the bigger problem I am having is that I am so hating how the front of the skirt lies against the bodice... the pleating stops about 4" on either side of the gown opening, and it gives it a funny look. I am going to pull the stitching out and reattach the skirt on both sides, widening the pleats so that it gives full pleat coverage to the edge of the bodice.

Front of gown

Interestingly, when I put the dress on the dummy last night, there was a larger gap between the sides of the bodice. When I looked at it this morning, I could see the bodice was laying slightly loosely, so I tightened the laces. It now comes together much more closely, which is what I was originally going for. I'm curious to see how it will fit on me over a corset. If it comes together like in the picture, I will be super happy.

Back of gown

I'm super loving the way the point came out in the back of the bodice, I was concerned it would get softened along the way, but it turned out great. I am super hating the tiny wrinkle at the point, but not enough to rip anything apart to fix it. : )

I need to hem the gown Friday evening, and adjust the front attachment of the left strap (I don't like how it lays). I also need to make a girdle, which is a long rope of gold beads and pearls and findings that goes around the waist and hangs down in the front. I need to research that a bit more, I'm not entirely sure what goes on it or how they go on it.  And of course I didn't have enough of a challenge completing the gown in time to wear it on Saturday, so I took on a commission for a corset for a friend that also needs to be worn on Saturday.  My house looks like a sweatshop with my projects everywhere, and I am sewing morning and night, before and after work, but I'm making surprisingly great progress. And it's super fun. : )