1912 Shawl Collar Dress.....minus the collar....

I took the advice offered to me by Val from Time Traveling in Costume and purchased the pattern from Hint of History. It is as she noted a fairly simple design. However I for some ungodly reason left my brain somewhere the day I started sewing my practice dress. I must have read the directions a dozen times and spent a good bit staring either off into space or at the page uncomprehendingly. My first try just didn't go very well. Now that I've figured it out here is the mock up.

  I am having a small issue with the skirt being wide enough to accommodate my rather ample *blush* bottom. So unsure how to proceed I'm just toying with the idea of adding maybe 1 - 3 inches to all the skirt parts for a better flow.....for lack of a better word.

 My mom and I took a trip to Michael Le Vine in the LA gatmet district a few weeks back and I found this stripped cotton and I picked up the sheer at JoAnn fabrics. I'm actually pretty nervous about working with a stripe. It's new territory and I don't have immediate access to more fabric if I make a mistake. 

I did notice today while ironing my main fabric that there is a large section with what appears to be rust spots. They are small and I think that if I use it for the back of the skirt it might not be too noticeable. Especially if I don't point it out to anyone.

I was sewing the other day with Downton Abby on in the background and saw this dress. Super similar to the one that I'm working on. If I end up adding more to the back skirt piece I'd be able to give it a pleat or two I think. As for the neckline of my dress I still need to figure out a finish for it since I'll be omitting the collar. The deadline is approaching and I'm feeling lazy. A bad combination.