Dress the First

Phew. I've finally done it. I've started on the big dress. No toile; time is precious enough as it is.

The dress I've chosen as my basis for the top is the one shown above. There are so many advantages to it, including being able to lace it up two ways (three when I have had my way with my dress), so that any misjudgements in size could be forgiven, provided that I see myself as too fat rather than too thin. So good chance it'll go well :-)

There are a fair few things that will have to be altered. There are the sleeves. I love the dress, always have done, but always had to cover up the sleeves as they just didn't fit. There is elastic band at both ends; I will remove the one on the inside and make the sleeves larger to cover my shoulders completely.

The top will be shorter. It will finish at the hip and then the dress will flare out from there. If there is one thing the trial dress from the previous post had shown me it is that a frontal shot of a longer-than-waist top will make me look huge.

The skirt may include some layering. I haven't decided that yet. I have an underskirt if I decide against that, but if not, the layering will add volume.

After a curious measuring session, I have drawn the first two patterns onto squared paper. That, in itself, didn't prove too challenging, although exactly what the shape of the ruffled bit is, is a bit of a mystery. Again, I rather err on the side of caution and go too big rather than too little.


I then pinned the patterns to the silk and started to cut. Satin is bloody hard to cut! Or my scissors need some sanding. There will be some fraying, but hopefully the large seam allowance of 1.5cm will more than make up for that, given that it will only be worn once.

 Am I a fool? Maybe. But it will be fun while it lasts.