(no subject)

[auntiemeesh]

I still can't slip clothing on over my head, and I really wanted to try on my corset and see how it looked, so I figured out that if I put the thing on backwards, then lace it up loosely, turn it to the back and tighten it, it works, just barely. It's still really hard on my arm, but I got it on. Want to see?

Front:



Back:



I put it on with the shift to see how it works 'in situ' as it were. The shift, sadly, came out about as big as a house and then I've lost a little weight. When I relax my arms and shoulders, it falls into a puddle at my feet. Either I need to find a way to fix it, or find something else to wear with the corset.

And now, working on the gown, I'm back to the same problem that's plagued me all along. I took my measurements and because I was a 14 at both bust and hips, I made the shift a 14. But I have really narrow shoulders and the 14 is ridiculously too big almost everywhere. (This also happened, incidentally, with the dress I made for the Invasion of the Body Snatchers. I used the pattern for my measurements and then had to take it in about three inches in the back in order to make it sort of fit.)

For the corset, I used a size 10 for the front, size 8 for the back and a 14 for the sides. It mostly fits pretty well, but even at an 8, the shoulder straps are almost too long, and as you can see in the picture of the back, it overlaps at the top and doesn't quite meet at the bottom (although it came close enough that I was happy). That's fine for undergarments, but I'd rather not have the outerwear looking funky like that. So I don't know what sizes to cut for my patterns. I foresee myself spending the rest of the day debating with myself, and then still being unhappy with whatever decision I make. I'll figure something out and it will be workable, even if it needs all sorts of odd little cheats to make it so, but for once, I'd really like to make something that didn't need odd little cheats to make it work.

Comments

[shirebound]

Nice! You did a good job on it.

[auntiemeesh.livejournal.com]

Thanks. :)

[ani-no-mouse.livejournal.com]

I think it looks great! And, as always, I am in awe of your seamstressy abilities. I cannot even imagine what would be involved in sewing something that was a size 10 in the front, a size 8 in the back and a size 14 on the sides. (For my thick middle I would probably have to use a size 2 zillion somewhere, despite my overall appearance of being thinish.)

[auntiemeesh.livejournal.com]

Putting a 10, 8 and 14 together was actually pretty easy once I made sure all the pieces were cut to an 8 length. That way they all lined up along the side seams really easily.

All the sizing on sewing patterns is big, which is a bit distressing, but you get used to it. I doubt you'd have to go very large in your sizes, though.

[eve11]

It looks great! lol, though, I detect a wooden spoon used for a busk ;) Clever! And I think yours fits more around your waist than mine does; it still needs to be a little high because of my, erm, love handles, or whatnot.

[auntiemeesh.livejournal.com]

I figure if a wooden spoon was good enough for the ladies of yore, it's good enough for me, at least temporarily. ;)

I can't wait to get the gown on over top and see how it looks. I just spent the entire afternoon debating over which sizes to cut out for the bodice, once again hoping that I'm not screwing myself over in the process. *crosses fingers*

[chris4short.livejournal.com]

LOVE the corset. Man I wish I had a working sewing machine... but that whole dress is beautiful.

[auntiemeesh.livejournal.com]

And that's just the undergarments! I'm eager to get the gown done now to see how it all looks together. :)

[lyda-pearl.livejournal.com]

wow, amazing. I didn't even see the spoon until Eve11 mentioned it, lol.

[auntiemeesh.livejournal.com]

It's like one of those Hidden Picture games, lol.

[dreamflower]

Beautiful work! It looks great in the picture!

Fitting and sizing is the hardest part of sewing! Really-- a duct tape dummy helps a lot! Or getting a friend to help you size it before you cut. But I think you did a great job anyhow!

[auntiemeesh.livejournal.com]

If I had the money to buy extra fabric I could at least mock it up and see how it fits, but money is tight, as it is everywhere, and extra fabric isn't exactly cheap.

I'm wondering how well this would actually work on a duct tape dummy, since it smushes various parts of my anatomy that wouldn't smush on a dummy, which changes the fit a little. I agree, though that having one would be good. Some day I'll have the time and all the materials and a friend to help, gathered in one place at one time, lol.

[suenix.livejournal.com]

I am deeply impressed. Corsets are hard.
And you worked it out beautifully.

[auntiemeesh.livejournal.com]

Thanks! I'm hoping that was the hardest part of the project, although since I'm mixing and matching for the bodice of the gown, and basically creating frankenstein sleeves, I have a feeling there will be a certain amount of challenge there, as well.

[wbkbb.livejournal.com]

I think the corset and the shift both look great. I, too, am in awe of your sewing abilities!

[auntiemeesh.livejournal.com]

Thanks. The shift is so big, you can see bits of it bulging out all over the place, but I'm hopeful that if I just take it in at the back, it will settle down a little.

[whtmtnwmn.livejournal.com]

Wow--impressive sewing abilities! Maybe you could become a seamstress? They're very in demand!
=D

[lily-the-hobbit.livejournal.com]

Wow, this looks really good!

[feaxede-steorra.livejournal.com]

That corset looks really good!