Taking Shape

The Victorian gown is coming along nicely. I always like to work from the inside out, starting with the underwear. So I made some pantaloons, a bustle, and a waistband, for the old petticoat....

She needed to be wearing high heels, but I don't have any Victorian high heel boots - just one pair of black high heeled shoes, so they just have to do. I had to add a yoke to the top of the skirt to make it a little longer, but it doesn't show under the overskirt. Both the overskirt and underskirt are sewn to the same waistband.....

Well, that was the fast, easy part. Now I have to make her bodice, and that means designing a pattern - one of my least favourite things to do.  I found an existing pattern for a Large bust JID, and traced it onto iron-on interfacing, and pressed it onto white cotton.  I cut it out adding only the underarm seams, so I'd get a better idea of the exact fit after sewing it up.

The pattern I had is for a bodice that opens at the back, whereas I need a pattern for a jacket that opens at the front.  So I drew on all the adjustments with pen.  

Funny thing - I noticed that when writing measurements to add, I'm using mixed measurement systems.  When I was a kid, growing up, Canada was still using the Imperial system, so that's what I grew up knowing.  But then in early adulthood, Canada switched to the metric system, and I'm still not 'fluent' with it. I notice that I use both inches and centimetres. If you look closely at the photo above, it says to add 1/4 inch at the dart, and to add 1 cm at centre front. LOL   Oh well, it's just for me, and I know what I'm talking about.

Anyways, now I have to draw up a new pattern using all the notes and adjustments made to this first test bodice.  Then I have to trace it onto iron-on interfacing, press it onto cotton, and try again. (PS - I use the iron-on interfacing so the pattern has no give or stretch in any direction)