Baroque-Orama: Lace Reform, Etc.

I’ve done so much hand-sewing today that my wrist hurts and I have to stop! I don’t wanna stop!!

This morning, being clear, bright, and only minorly breezy, I undertook The Spray Painting of The Lace.  In a discreet corner of my apartment complex, on a half-green slice of grass, I let ‘er rip, spraying down the 10 yards of lace, both sides, as best I could before running out of paint.  I will admit that the coverage isn’t 100% in all places – there is a reddish tinge that comes through here and there, but it really doesn’t bother me.  It’ll never be noticed on a galloping (or waltzing) horse.

Before I could start sewing on the trim, I had to finish the satin cover, hand stitching into place each seam.  Here’s it is complete, still with the tabs uncut, so there is some buckling in the sides.

Then on to the trim, or at least the start of it.  I’ve done the back first, since now I’ve come upon the necessity of an order of operations

Delicate Order of Operations:
– stitch on the back trim
– cut the length of the skirt, and use the excess to make self-bias
– bind the bottom edge of the bodice
– stitch on the front trims
– set the sleeves

I’m happy with my decision to go with the painted lace trim instead of the heavy silver GOBS I tested earlier in this project.  I’m planning some tiny pearls and silver spangles all up the front (not on the back though), so there will be even more glitz and ge-gaws.  The only thing bothering me is the rumplets at the sharp curve of the bust seams.  I’m going to try stuffing those areas (lol) to round them out, and I may do some kind of fichu-like scarfy thing around the neckline, as I’ve seen in a number of portraits.  More on all this later!