Finished the muslin of the coat yesterday: not particularly enlightening, but a necessary first step. Here’s a photo:
To be honest, I’m not sure I like it. I like the styling on the top (though there are multiple fitting issues that need to be addressed), but the flare in the bottom has the same problems as the flare in the previous coat patterns – it makes me look heavier and broader than I am. But it might look better with a crinoline expanding it out a little – maybe I should make one and then look again? It also needs the waist taken in by at least an inch – right now I look like I have no waist at all.
The alternative, which is also perfectly viable, is to remove some of the flare at the bottom. I’ll have to think about that as well. It would force the dress underneath to be non-floofy, but I hadn’t planned a great deal of floof to begin with.
The last thing that needs addressing before I can fairly judge the muslin is the dress underneath. This will affect the look of the coat as well…perhaps I need to drag out my off the shoulder formal dress (with associated crinoline, if I can find it) to get an idea of what it looks like over a dress.
Bother! This is more complicated than I expected. What to do first? Address fitting and styling issues, try a crinoline, make a dress to go underneath? I don’t know, but expect to think about that for most of today.
Meanwhile, the burn is doing a LOT better than I expected. It’s almost fully healed! I suspect that’s because the calluses on my feet were thick enough that the cinder just singed the dead skin, and (mostly) didn’t get to the flesh underneath. So I will try a little weaving today, and hop on the bike for a moderate ride (2 hours or so) on Saturday.
Before you get to the complicated fit issues, decide first if you like the pattern. Dig out that off the shoulder formal dress, and a strapless one if you have something hanging around, and see what you think. I know tan lines are an issue… I suspect the silk you are weaving will drape better than the muslin, and hang in softer folds. And there is nothing that says the hem of the coat can’t drag out in the back and hit the floor. I actually like the coat for a wedding coat, but the dress underneath should be minimal styling.
Heal fast!
I like the princess style on you best, because it takes away the blockiness of your form; the ‘v’ shape de-emphasizes the block and the neckline helps with that, too. The bust needs adjusting (too high), and once you get that right the rest will look better, including the fullness at the bottom. I’m not sure, but perhaps the princess line at the sleeve may be too low – look at that.
Sue in MA