More Tea with Madame X – Progress on The Satan Bodice from Hell

…did I say satan?  I meant satin, really.  Or is it the same thing…

I’m starting with the most recent photo, because I’m too embarrassed to start by showing you the horrible ones!

Anyway, here I was thinking the bodice was coming along swimmingly on my Madame X, Sargent-inspired gothygown…until I put it on.

If only things looked as good on my actual body as they do on my dress forms.

This was the hellish demon spawn bodice I had a few nights back, with only one stay over the bust seam on the right side.

I realize I’ve gone about this all wrong.  I *should* have fused the satin to a backing like drill or even muslin, to stabilize it and keep it from buckling under stress, but I didn’t.  Completely distraught about the whole mess, I went ahead and sewed the boning channels and stays onto each seam on one side only, to see if it was going to make any sort of difference at all (this was at about 3 a.m. a couple nights back), and to my glee, it did make a difference.  I also removed the bust pads, which were causing more funkiness than good.

Things were/are still a little buckle-y, sure, although I’m comforted ever-so-slightly by seeing the same sort of buckling in extant gowns (like this one)(and this one).  I know, I’m making excuses.  It’s just really hard to go up against satan and win.

The bodice after quite a lot of work on the right side.  This is still before adding more stays and stability to the center front, and also, nothing on the left side except my total lack of modesty and a hot-pink bra. (just kidding, I really am a modest person, promise).

I’ve top-sewn some 1/4″ channels around the sides, and down the front point, and may add more yet.  At this point it’s so off the path of historical interpretation that I don’t even care anymore.  It’s “inspired by,” and I’ll be happy if I get it done and wearable for the event in mid-April.  More later!