help!!!!

[Lady Catherine]

i have lost about 40 lbs since i played lady Catherine knollys, YAY!!!  not so yay, i spent quite a bit on her gown, before i learned how to sew my own. i do not want to give her dress up, since it is so beautiful!

my question for you wonderful ladies is how in the world should i take in 4-6 inches from the bodice without having to dissect the whole thing? my best friend/partner in crime suggested just taking in both sides of the lacing rings, but will that narrow my shoulders too much, eeeekkk!


pics:




thanks sooooo much!

[gem]

I've been where you are, and while it's a wonderful problem to have, it's still a problem!

Unfortunately, with a weight loss that significant (for example, I went from a size 14-16 to a 6-8), there really is no way to gracefully "take in" clothing--garb or otherwise. To do a proper job, you really will need to take the thing completely apart... or (which may be easier) start over.

The problem I see with your friend's suggestion is that taking in alongside the lacing rings will only narrow the back panels--the front/stomacher panel will still be too wide. I also think you'll get lots of gapping/wrinkles along the trimmed neckline.  I think you will also need to trim down all the side panels, as well, plus the other features (tabs, sleeves, shoulder rolls) might be out of proportion. I know on a pattern I made last fall, the tabs/picadills were sized individually (so the size 6 tab was smaller than the 12, etc).

Whatever you do, the very first step should be to try this on over your new undergarments, and see exactly where the most egregious problems are.

Hoping Kate and Lady K will chime in with more suggestions!

[Kate XXXXXX]

Gem is right.  \it really is going to be a remake rather than a mere alteration.

\congratulations on your loss.  It does feel great, doesn't it. 

[CapnFayeCutler]

Egads! Lady C, I think the ladies are right. That'd be a major take in, but I do know where you can get that fabric.

[Aunty Lou]

As a theater person, I was ever interested in the look of the thing...  There are tucks and such that can be taken, but won't bear close inspection.  Alas, the ladies are right.  This one must be taken apart and recut... *SIGH*  One size can be tucked and tightened, but for things to fit, and the girls to sit up proud where they ought to be, find a tailor to reassemble.  You will be happier in the long run.  And cost less than a new gown for Lady knollys.

[Lady Kathleen of Olmsted]

Having done a minor alterations to Kathyrn Fae Weldon's ensemble that I made for her last fall after a weight loss, one as significant as 40 pounds may indeed require a complete start over.

After such a weight loss, Bust. Midriff, Waist measurements are all different. Also affected can be the Across the back, Bust Height, and Bust Length measurements. The less body fat in those areas, the different how things will fit. That may also require a new corset.

[gem]

I would be extremely surprised if she *didn't* require a new corset!!  (But, then, I can change a full dress size with a gain or loss of as little as 2-3 lbs, because it all goes *right there.*  Sigh.)

Also affected can be the Across the back, Bust Height, and Bust Length measurements.

(Tiny thread hijack) Lady K, what is "bust length?" That is not a measurement I think I've heard before (or I've lost brain cells dealing with all the mud in my yard.).

[Lady Catherine]

thanks so much ladies!!!

just as i was posting, syrilla was e-mailing me! heh!

i agree with all of you, and i believe that i can thake this on! it may not be as pretty on the inside when im done, but.....

i just do not want to give her up, because i spent soooo much time trimming and hand-beading the whole thing!! and, she is just soooo pretty!!!
i believe i will start to disassemble the lining and see what it looks like on the inside! my only fear is messing up the neck trim, but we shall see!

thanks ladies, i will post when i have results!

[Lady Kathleen of Olmsted]

gem!!!

The BUST LENGTH is the measurement from the shoulder at the neck, down the front to the natural waistline. I use this measurement a lot when making Doublets for my Male Clients.

BUST HEIGHT, from the shoulder at the neck to the center of the Breast for women to make sure that Bodices and corsets hit where they are supposed to.

[amy]

adding my 2 cents kinda late here.... but can the lovely neck trim be picked off and reset without losing the beads?  Or maybe it was beaded after it was attached and the stitching goes through all layers.   Let us know what you find inside!  I hope to have that problem someday!

[LadyShadow]

Congrats on the weight loss and best of luck with taking it apart.