bodice w/ sleeves

Insperation

Front

Side view of sleeve on

Bodice pic!

bodice

the bodice is basically done. I want to tighten up the should strap length a bit and it isn't as blinged out as I would like but it is wearable enough to start on the skirt!

Pics up as soon as I come back from my family reunion thing in Oklahoma

trim

And all the trim has been laid down!

I plan on adding some pearls but I am looking at other ways to bling this up

bodice trim

so I have started attaching the trim to the bodice. I have had this lovely silk satin in an amazing shade of blue for ages. It is an antique and it was a gift. I plan on pearling over the gold thread.

To Do list for Bodice day 2

so I didn't get as much as I wanted to to last night so I am really trying to keep myself on track today. I did a list of step by step to do lists for every piece of this outfit when I first started this project, sadly the web site I have been using to keep track of everything is offline at the moment so I am using this space to keep my notes in order

• Stitch boning channels
• cut bones
• file bones
• cut trim 
• Stitch trim down onto linen
• Satin stitch over edge of trim in gold
• stitch bodices together
• turn
• bias tape bottom
• stitch top of straps
• Have a glass of wine
• Pat self on back for finishing the bodice
• Go see Harry Potter movie! (If you finish before Friday!)

hit a snag I tried on the bodice after placing all the bones and I have discovered I need more in the front

To Do list for Bodice

• cut out canvas bodice pieces 1&2
• Stitch bodice 1 together
• Draw boning channels
• Stitch down eyelet tape
• cut out linen bodice pieces
• fray check linen bodice pieces (as it will be sitting on side a while)
• Stitch canvas bodice 2 together
• Pin canvas bodices together
• Stitch boning channels
• cut bones
• file bones
• cut trim 
• Stitch trim down onto linen
• Satin stitch over edge of trim in gold
• stitch bodices together
• turn
• bias tape bottom
• stitch top of straps
• Have a glass of wine
• Pat self on back for finishing the bodice

lacing strips done!

it looks good and looks like it will work but I guess I really won't know till it's done

I was asked why the bottom of the bodice looks so odd. I have added taps since I am a bit fleshy so it will sit easier over my hips and I have a space over my spine as I have found if I drop to low or had a tab there after a few hours my back would act up. Since I will be adding the skirt on by hand anyway It is safe to do longer bones without fear of having issues with my machine when I sew the skirt on

bodice update w/ pics!

So slow going, schoolwork is kicking my butt!

I have cut out my inner bodice and have drawn where the boning channels will go. Before attaching my second layer of canvas so I can sandwich the bones in between I need to attach the lacing strips. In the past I have sewn down rings- which would snap the threads and pop off when lacing if under to much strain, I have sewn down the duel lines of ribbon like Jen Thompson did for her Venetian gown, that worked pretty well but soon I the ribbon started to fray and stretch from strain. So this time I am going to try something new, two lines, because it really does help with the strain and keeping the laces straight with rings in the form of eyelet tape. I'm not sure how it will work but it is worth a try!

bodice

bodice all cut out! now starting to piece it together, stitch down the lacing strips and mark the boning channels!

bodice

Almost all cut out! Trying to lay out patterns and cut them with a 4 year old wanting to play is really hard work!

bodice

the bodice pattern seems to be worked out. I am cutting the foundation patterns now. I hope to finish the bodice quickly