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SWA(SP)P 2016-Pack 2-#6 The evening ensemble progresses

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We finally found time and energy to get me harnessed into my corset so that the next steps could be made.  Earlier today, I replaced the waistband that I’d put onto the skirt yesterday.  It just wasn’t working as a twill tape facing, so I made a plain narrow waistband in the silver satin.  Unpicking was evil, and I managed to melt the first waistband with the iron, so this took longer than it should.

Note to self- FFS be careful when ironing this damn skirt!

We also took some shots of the petticoat, and wifey pinned the butterfly train in place so that I can see the effect.

Rather nice I think- remember it will be worn with a lilac bodice, and some additional apron-like drapes on the skirt.

So the first step was getting my wife to mark off an even hemline while I stood very still, getting numb toes. She decided after much faffing about to level it up with the front, which nicely clears my shoes so I don’t trip up.  When we overlay the pleated section, it will be barely off the floor all the way round.

Then I pinned myself into the evening bodice- no darts are yet pinned out here, and it looks like a maternity smock!  Just look at all the fabric that needs to come out…DSCF7835

The arm bands now feel tight..fat arms from Christmas eating?  Hmmm

I pinned out the mostly vertical dart below the bust on each side.  HUGE dart.  Then I pinned out another towards the side seam, and at a slight angle.  I evened them out,  machined them, cut away some excess fabric and got back into it.

Better- that neckline needs to be lower, and I still need a teeny tweak at the shoulders, as well as some more inches removed from the front…

So we pinned out some more.  Getting there.  The shoulders are falling off a little, probably because those tight sleeve bands are dragging slightly.  I’m done for today though.

Next jobs-

  • levelling and facing the hem on the silver skirt.  I may pipe the edge too, as this gave a wonderful effect when I did it on the wife’s wedding dress
  • Re stitching these tweaks on the bodice
  • Getting the pleated section onto the skirt, which will finish it off
  • do one more bodice fitting before cutting out I think
  • order fabric for riding breeches

8 thoughts on “SWA(SP)P 2016-Pack 2-#6 The evening ensemble progresses”

  1. Not surprised your fond for today, sounds like you’ve been ridiculously busy! Looking good tho! How about a tiny bit of elastic on top of the shoulders to pull them in and stop them falling off?

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  2. Keeping that as a last resort- I think that I’ve come up with a cunning plan for keeping the sleeves positioned properly so they don’t slip and pull the neckline out of whack…watch this space!

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  3. I’m not sure what I’m impressed with more – your tenacious efforts at sewing a full on Victorian wardrobe, or the fact that this is really what we wore! And I have sneaking suspicion that you somehow feel “comfortable” in that corset!!!!

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    1. FAIRLY comfortable. I’m toying with the notion of a bit of unpicking so that I can take out one or two of the steels over the ribcage, and replace them with cable ties. The only place it niggles me is directly below the boobs, over my ribs. I’ll seek advice elsewhere before I go for it.

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