Over the Under-Victorian dress part 2

Welcome back friends, it’s been a whole MINUTE since I’ve been over here and we have a lot to write up on, so let’s start at where we left off shall we?

Next up on the black and gold dress is the over skirt.  I started by using the same pattern for the underskirt and cutting the hem to match the inspiration image.  On the side seams, I pressed the seams towards the CENTER BACK, and made two rows of stitching down the side back seams.

Afterwards, I pulled on the bottom threads to draw it up to the desired length I needed (I believe this was 24 inches).  Then I took a piece of black twill tape and on the underside, I machined it on to stabilize the gathers and make them even.  

Repeated on the other side and we have the beginnings of an overskirt.  But it seems a bit too loose and baggy…… OH YEAH, I FORGOT THE FRONT ONES…… (And I also trimmed it at this stage)

The center ones were done in the same way, but I did more rows of gathers to make the section tighter and wider and more like my inspiration image.  Finally, remember when I said it looked too baggy??  Well, I remembered that overskirt of this time usually had interior ties that the wearer would tie behind them to bring the overskirt closer to their knees and back, creating a smoother look.  NOW we are getting somewhere!  All that was left then was to gather the back and slap on a waistband!!!  

And there you have it!!!  One more step in the finished direction!!!  Now to move onto the next step, the dreaded bodice!!!!  It’s not really that bad, I’m just building tension….