Mostly fitted stays and dress muslin

[robinsnest]

When will the day come when I'm actually 100% happy with something I make and WANT to share it? *sigh* 



Anyway the stays are finished with the exception of some eyelets to tie the straps...and about those straps...they're WAY WAY too short. I lengthened them from the pattern but I confess I didn't really fit them, and they're midget straps. So debating between having ribbon ties covering the gap and connecting them or just cutting them off. The bag in the gap is way bigger than it was supposed to be, correction at the BOTTOM the gap is huge at the top it's non-existent. Not 100% sure what to do about that, besides know to add more to the waist for the next time. Unfortunately when I gain weight I just turn into a sausage with no curves. 

But in more positive news I did fit the lining for the gown and that actually fit like a dream. I confess I cheated and used the lining from the RH Francaise pattern that I happen to have on hand from the unfinished teal sack. I was very pleasantly surprised by how easily I walked into the pattern size, that never happens to me. I need to make the armscyes larger, but I do that to every pattern, I must have big sausages or something. 



I'm lining it in some scrap linen I've had for who knows how long. Somehow I had a pile of 12" wide pieces with a selvage edge. Don't ask me, I've long forgotten. Anyway it was either piece the linen for a lining or find the buried bolt of cotton...hey piecing is period! so ignore the funny side seam.



Now here's a question for you people. The lining sits perfectly along my corset line...but I usually wear corset THEN petticoats which would create a lump wouldn't it? what order do YOU dress in?

Comments

[curiouschilde.livejournal.com]

I think the stays look lovely. I'm sorry the straps don't work. I'd just cut them off for now. Save time. The mock up looks good. I put my petticoat on over my corset too. So maybe just take the edge up a little bit.. but not much. It looks good honey. You can do it!!!

[reine-de-coudre.livejournal.com]

the stays look fantastic, as well as the mock-up! nicely fitted. i think that when you finish the edge of the bodice, it will take it up just enough so that you won't get unsightly crumpling with your petticoats. and you can always tie your petticoats just slightly lower than your waist to decrease bulk there.

[isabelladangelo.livejournal.com]

This.

[fiofiorina.livejournal.com]

You could also just fold the straps under, secure them with some basting stitches. Or - use a long ribbon for them. I know, it's not entirely period, but Lauren (American Duchess) made that too, as she had a gown with a wide neckline and didn't want the straps to show.
The open back - my stays are quite similar. If I like to have the closed more conical front of the 60ies, I wear the stays with the back open - if I'd need the wide front of the 80ies, I close the back and wear the front very open.

And I second Sammy, taking the bodice up when sewing on the skirts should work, you don't need to add any sewing allowance :-)

All in all: Looks good!