Finally - the Vintage on a Live Model

As previously promised..........

Du Barry 5766 - Muslin #2 and 2.5

I know, the print is so busy, you can't see much in the photo.  I cut out Muslin #2 with the dart lowered about another inch (making it a very short, fat dart).  I also took out .5" at the bust at the seams (I had added 1" in muslin #1 thinking I needed that much).

Sewed it together with this cotton that's been in the stash.  I think someone gave it to me, and I kept it thinking I might use it as a quilt back at some time.  The darts just weren't working.  I was getting a real POOF at the point and was at a loss as to how to handle.  I think it had to do with the fact that I was having to lower it so much that it became too much of a short triangle. 

I began to pinch out the equivalent of a princess seam on the left front of the dress.  It was working and also taking out a few of the wrinkles in the upper chest.  Not realizing it until today, I had a bit too much fabric in that area.  I began to "test" sew a princess seam.  It seamed to work, so I  ripped my basting to take the left side of the dress apart after I had taken a sharpie marker to my new seam lines.

The new pattern pieces:

I cut new pattern pieces with appropriate seam allowances and sewed the new left front to the existing Muslin #2 (thus coming up with a new Muslin 2.5).

Close-up of the new left front with the princess seam.  It may still need a bit of tweaking.  I'll press it well and go from there.  I do want to try the sleeves again to see if I can ease them in better that with Muslin #1.  If they still want to be stubborn, I'll remove some of the ease.

I looked through some of the stash today and found two fabrics that I'm considering at this point.  One is a teal linen type fabric and the other is an aqua green silk twill.  Both are solid color.

Contenders

for the Vintage Sewalong 2011;

McCalls 3027:  Copyright 1971.  I like the two toned dress and its unique bodice set in.  Wondering if I can get those curves even on each side.

Simplicity 7845:  Copyright 1968.  I like the dart treatments in front (angled) and I'm liking the ruffle right now.  Reminds me a bit of the Cynthia Rowley dress that is out now with the ruffled neckline.

Simplicity 8381: Copyright 1969.  I made this dress when I was in high school.  I remember it well.  I made view 2 (the two colors) without a belt.  I used a camel tan soft knit as the main color and a lighter beige for the princess insets and long sleeves.  I remember loving that dress.

Du Barry 5766:  Copyright 1943.  Right now I'm leaning toward this one.  I love the half-diamond inserts on the front waist.  Not sure if I would prefer the long sleeve or short sleeve at this point.

I have plenty more patterns to look over.  So far, these four have filtered to the top as preferences.