I got the fit with the muslin and was so excited!

I went down to the local chain fabric store to see what they had which was not much!  I keep thinking of my stash at home.  I decided to get some deep red taffeta, narrow cotton lace to sew together for the insertion, and beading lace and pre-ruffled eyelet.  I want to make it again when I get home with more authentic fabric and trims that I know I already have, but I just couldn’t wait until then to start.

Yesterday, I cut it out, sewed the front darts.  I decided to top stitch them with contrasting thread.  If I do that when I remake it, I will probably do it by hand.  Next, I sewed front and back together at shoulder and side seams,using French seams.

I had intentionally left the extra fabric in the canter front when I cut it out,as I wanted to be extra sure of the fit there.  I had enough it could almost have been double-breasted, but the back was fine.  Go figure?  So, I pinned it together at the center front and left enough for an overlap for buttons and a seam (I want to add a facing also).

Next, I considered the trim.  The narrow lace I had chosen for the insertion had to be first sewn side by side and then applied,next I sewed the eyelet around the neckline, and then top stitched the neckline. Finally, I sewed the strips of beading across the front neck edge.

I have taken pictures and will add them when I figure out how.  I am working with an iPad while away and it is an ap for this and an ap for that….