To the vest I've added darts in the front, changed the shoulder seam, added the curved back seam and hidden the original shoulder seam under a lace motif. Another motif hides a bust dart. I'll be putting boning in at the darts, center back, side seams, etc.
Each lace motif will have purple silk velvet glued under it. They are then applied to the vest using glue.(Fabri-tac) This is just to position them for stitching. Once they are stiched down they flatten and become an integral part of the garment.
The plastron is draped into position and will be layed over a foundation. There will be a neckpiece similarly draped in folds. This will be basted in part to the plastron and everything will attach to the vest with hooks and eyes. I may stitch it to one side of the vest, or leave it seperate in order to use the vest with other pieces. I will probably put one bone in the center front of the plastron, from the bottom to the underbust, in order to keep the shape. I may add a waist tape (twill tape) to each of these pieces.
The blouse will have an organdy and organza insert inside the shoulder to pouf out the sleeve. I am still considering whether I will add the chantilly lace and the lace motifs to the outside of the blouse.
The skirt is pretty much done, though I may have to add some material if it is too small for me. I may put in a contrasting materiaI matching part of the top, possibly creating a more "trumpet" shape to the skirt. I'll probably remove the zipper and replace it with hooks and eyes, and I will probably replace the button. I am planning on making a velvet or lace appliqued velvet waist belt. I'm still deciding on a design.
The hat is sitting on top of the dressform, so you can't see the whole effect as well, but you get an idea of the colors together and the entire "look."
I've put a wire at the edge of the hat in order to shape it. I'm attempting a psuedo tricorne with some wavy effects in the back. The feathers have been curled, both the fronds and the stems. Then two or three are stitched together to make a full, rich feather. I've added the orange to startle the eye with a bit of unexpected colour. The pansies will have embroidery thread instead of plastic centers when I'm done.
