Chemise a la Reine Progress
So I got a lot done last night after work but I still have quite a few things to do before it's done!
I tore my panels (3 panels 60" long by about 58" wide, I think it was originally 60" fabric before washing...), seamed them together leaving a 10" opening in the center front, then I gathered the entire thing with basting stitches on the machine and pinned it to the dress form until it looked about right. I then attached the back shoulders and center back keeping the gathers even, then pinned it back onto the dressform and worked out where to sew the front shoulders then made a self casing of the center front for a drawstring. I then cut the scoops for the sleeves but then realized that I didn't leave any fabric for sleeves! Doh! Luckily it's white and I'll just use the same fabric as the shoulder straps, but they won't be as sheer as I wanted. I'm going to do straight elbow length sleeves though, so I don't think it will matter that much but it was kind of a bummer to realize.
What I'm wondering now is whether it looks too bulky or not... maybe that's just the nature of the chemise dress? I'm also debating whether I'll need to wear the bum roll under it after all.
This isn't the real sash, just a scarf I had lying around. Also the underarms/sides aren't gathered properly yet.
But is it too pouffy?
Obviously there's no petticoat over the bum roll...
All that's left to do is:
*cut and attach the sleeves (first gathering the dress under the arms),
*hem it (should I leave a little train? or will that get in the way of dancing?)
*attach the lace around the neckline (how do I attach the lace to the front drawstring portion? I've heard people say they've had to gather their ruffles/lace less than the cotton and I don't know if they attached it in the front or not. hmm....)
*create the sash
*make a white petticoat to wear under it (or possibly use my purple petticoat, but it's meant to go over pockets hoops so may not work)
*trim a hat to wear with it (possibly)
I think I can get that all done by Sat. night! Hopefully!
I tore my panels (3 panels 60" long by about 58" wide, I think it was originally 60" fabric before washing...), seamed them together leaving a 10" opening in the center front, then I gathered the entire thing with basting stitches on the machine and pinned it to the dress form until it looked about right. I then attached the back shoulders and center back keeping the gathers even, then pinned it back onto the dressform and worked out where to sew the front shoulders then made a self casing of the center front for a drawstring. I then cut the scoops for the sleeves but then realized that I didn't leave any fabric for sleeves! Doh! Luckily it's white and I'll just use the same fabric as the shoulder straps, but they won't be as sheer as I wanted. I'm going to do straight elbow length sleeves though, so I don't think it will matter that much but it was kind of a bummer to realize.
What I'm wondering now is whether it looks too bulky or not... maybe that's just the nature of the chemise dress? I'm also debating whether I'll need to wear the bum roll under it after all.
This isn't the real sash, just a scarf I had lying around. Also the underarms/sides aren't gathered properly yet.
But is it too pouffy?
Obviously there's no petticoat over the bum roll...
All that's left to do is:
*cut and attach the sleeves (first gathering the dress under the arms),
*hem it (should I leave a little train? or will that get in the way of dancing?)
*attach the lace around the neckline (how do I attach the lace to the front drawstring portion? I've heard people say they've had to gather their ruffles/lace less than the cotton and I don't know if they attached it in the front or not. hmm....)
*create the sash
*make a white petticoat to wear under it (or possibly use my purple petticoat, but it's meant to go over pockets hoops so may not work)
*trim a hat to wear with it (possibly)
I think I can get that all done by Sat. night! Hopefully!