De-ruffling a Moresca

[bellevivre]

So, I am now the proud owner of a Moresca Pirate bodice- I LOVE the fit on me, but... I HATE the ruffles! Had there been a ruffle-less option I wouldve taken it!

so, I am planning on performing a ruffle-ectomy this weekend. Now, seeing how they are attached, I think the easiest way would be to just unstitch the binding, pull out the ruffles, then resew the binding, but I wanted to check and see if anyone else had performed this operation before and had any insight for me...

[gem]

Just for reference, here's a picture of a Pirate Bodice that shows the ruffles clearly:



I don't blame you; I'm not a big flouncy, ruffly person, either. 

The only suggestion I have is to consider replacing the ruffles with tabs, like on the Max 2 (well, that one has shoulder rolls, but tabs would be easier).  I'm picturing the bodice without the ruffled shoulder and waist treatments, and I'm concerned that 1.) The point at the waist will be *very* severe, and 2.) The shoulders won't have enough presence to balance the width in the bust (see how the cut of the bodice is very wide at the bust, and very, very narrow at the waist, like a heart that's been spread out?  The ruffles--all of them, but on the shoulders particularly--make that less pronounced).  And speaking from experience... I have narrow shoulders and wide hips, and without *some* shoulder treatment, that bodice would only emphasize that fact.  Tabs would give it a more balanced appearance overall.

But but but... most important thing: What colors did you get?!!

I am nowhere near brave enough to take something apart once it's been made, but I wish you luck!!

[bellevivre]

just black on black- I had picked up a gorgeous red diamond with black, but it was too small... so I traded for the black, and I'm glad I did because I feel like this redhead ought to wear more green!

I'm mulling keeping the shoulder ones- on me, the problem is I am short already, and the waist ruffles seem to just 1) emphasize how short my legs are, and 2) only adds more fullness to my already full hips.

Wearing it, I dont THINK I'll need tabs to soften the edge, but I'm going to try it turned inside out to see how different it feels. Otherwise, I'm going to bead the bodice and the shoulder ruffles (if i leave them) with pearls, gold, and possibly some aurora borealis sparkly jet accents.

[Marietta Graziella]

I agree the ruffles seem a bit (ok, quite a bit) too long.  What about shortening them?  Take the trim off the edge, shorten, replace.  That would be far less frightening than snipping into the binding at the bodice edge (at least to me).   

The benefit is you still get a little softening to the pointed front, a little movement with the ruffle to accentuate the beautiful curve of your hips, and balance with the shoulders (if you leave those on). 

[bellevivre]

when i get home this evening I'll post a pic of it on me... my legs are MAYBE 36 at the outseam, and the ruffles are at least 6 inches long... it's just... wierd.

I did think of shortening them, but... lol in for a penny in for a pound! I'll likely try shortening them first, but... UGH! ruffles!

[bellevivre]

see what i mean? I practically have NO legs with that silly ruffle, and i just look even bigger around the waist... without anything at the bottom, I think it would emphasize the hip in a GOOD way, and make my waist look teensy in comparison...

[operafantomet]

What about cutting away most of the "basque", leaving small tabs? Of course, the tabs would merely be decorative, but they would probably look more flattering that the unnecessary "fluff" around your hips, while still accenting the shoulder "fluff" well. You could use some of the cut-off black fabric as a modesty panel, avoiding a gap in front showing the transition from skirt to chemise.

But it seems to fit you well overall! Good shape.

[bellevivre]

it adjusts front and back- I need to adjust the back open a smidge more to get the lower half of the front closed (I like the chemise showing through in a quasi-venetian manner)

[Lady L]

Here's a quick thought-what if you trimmed the ruffles back, but leave an inch or so, then turned that under to the back of the bodice and tacked it down? Then you wouldn't have to cut into the binding or unstitch it at all and no one would see it underneath.

[bellevivre]

Lady L- that's a good idea... and would also avoid any pinching that might happen from the straight edges...

[Lady Kathleen of Olmsted]

I would have advised the same as Lady L rather than take the ruffling completely apart.

[irish]

I also agree with Lady L. I think that this would work best for you.

[Betty Munro]

My bodice is a home draft based on the body of the Moresca pirate bodice - no ruffles, no shoulder straps at all.  I intended to add shoulder straps, but it is perfect just the way it is.  I love the cut, it is very flattering.  Tiny waist, accentuates the girls.  I feel tall and lean in this bodice, in real life I am short and have a big bottom and hips.  I agree that the ruffles do not have a positive effect on us shorter ladies. 
It is always scary for me to make the first cut into fabric ... I'd be shaking in my boots to cut into a finished product, especially one that retails over $200.00 ... eeeeeek.  That said, I say - go for it!  It really isn't that difficult of a modification to make, a little time with a seam ripper and you can probably re-use the same binding.  If you had to you could always re-bind the edges with plain black double fold bias tape from Wright's.
Best of luck!  Post us an after pic when you are done?