progress!

Got down to business tonight and did further work on the English fitted gown pattern (example/prior musings), specifically the bodice, as it's the hardest part.

The armholes are an enduring PITA for me, but then it occurred to me that I could base them on the fencing doublet pattern, which I KNOW fits...

Success! ( impromptu cell phone pix )

It's not super-tight because it's made to be worn over a shift and kirtle. Speaking of the latter, my only kirtle is a back-lacer and instead of climbing in and out of it I fitted over a baggy t-shirt and my industrial-strength sports bra to get a silhouette similar to the "raised and flattened" bust of the time period.

I'm going to let it "sit" overnight, try it on again tomorrow, and if I'm still happy about it I'll take it apart and draft a fresh pattern and muslin from that. Then, onto the sleeve draping/drafting.

crossposted to dressdiaries