241 Days To Go - The 1st Bodice Attempt

The Construction of the Bodice

Out of sheer coincidence and fate, the trip I planned on taking this summer got cancelled, and then the rescheduled trip got cancelled. So after requesting vacation days twice, then cancelling once, I decided to go ahead and use a few days to work on my dress. 

I ended up getting so much done in two and a half days, and I'm so excited to share the process: 

First I drafted the bodice pattern based on another pattern I already had. 

The Monique Dress Pattern is one that I have used over and over, because the bodice is able to conform to my  overly proportioned body measurements...

Because I want princess seams, I altered the pattern with muslin and changed it until it fit my top perfectly!

After a ridiculous amount of pinning, sewing, fitting, undoing, and resewing, I started to see the shape I wanted. Ended up not using the boning, because it will have sleeves, and the boning wasn't necessary.

 I added a seam to the back in order to be able to take out and let in material where needed. It turns out this is much easier than altering the princess seams. 

 Below is the muslin version of the dress, pre-ironed.  

 After adding the Eggshell material to the top, I can see my bodice being formed!

 I sewed the lining in, and doubled up the sides so that it would look more professional, and keep the lining close to the bodice. 

I drafted a cap sleeve pattern based on research and what I was looking for. 

I cut out two for each sleeve then sewed on the curve, folded over, and ironed, then pinned to the bodice!

Here they are pinned to the bodice. 

 As of right now, the back is only pinned, and there is no closure yet. I am going to wait until I do my final fitting, because I don't want to sew and undo anything until I know how it will fit to the skirt...

I'm thinking about using little bustle ties for the back, and maybe a few blue buttons instead of a zipper...

Still debating this.

Here is the bodice front with the sleeves attached! 

 Here is the back, all but sewn together. 

I'm so excited. I actually like how it bunches near the back. It gives it a nice texture.