Kirtle_

The photos at right were taken by my hubby with my phone. He helped me into the corset and gown. (and out of it...oo la la).
EARLIER IN THE DAY:
It Fits.! tried it on over camecia/corset, all by me onsies. Here's how: I loosely spiral laced the back a 1/3. Dropped it over my head BACKWARDS. laced a few more rows and spun it around gingerly. I felt behind me and pulled it a little tighter still. Then I pulled the straps which were attached to the back, over my shoulder and pinned them to the front. Then adjusted the whole thing and checked it for fit. Seems fine. I looked it over to see what needs to be changed if I use this pattern somehow for the fashion fabric Bodice.
1. Move the straps over, closer to my shoulders in front and back to get that really wide Venetian look.
2. armpits could be a TINY bit higher.
I'm going to line it. It's very thin and I don't like how I can see the bones of the corset under it.
So now goes a lining/facing and underarm finishing. Straps and hem. Grommets and back finishing.
I added a 2" panel along each open side of the back center edge. It will strenthen the area where gromments will go. NEXT TIME: sew the facing first then add these panels.

Lining is done. I sewed in on while the dress was laying 'flat' on the floor. Sewed it right sides together and flipped it over. The details were excruciating and won't be spoken of here. Its midrif length and i tucked the sides in under the grommet panels.

Straps- two 12" straps are attached with safety pins to the 'nubs' I left after lining the top of dress. There are 1 1/2" wide finished, gold on both sides. The classic tube.

I'm wearing the kirtle right now. I hemmed it just about the ankle, so it doesn't show under the main gowns.
24 Grommets are in the back. There are a few little tweaks I want to make but not worth mentioning here.
ITS DONE AND READY TO WEAR.