Gown Update

Okay, after multiple times of pleating the skirt and attaching it, then removing it, I think I finally got it right.  The front sections are pleated normally, and the back is cartridge pleated with 18 pleats. (The Tudor Tailor recommended only 8 pleats, but I noticed that that creates odd angles about a foot below the pleats from the excess fabric, and I didn't like how that looked.)  I will also likely wear a jeweled belt or ribbon at the waistline, although the pleats are well done and it would like fine without.

I tore out the sleeve linings after someone commented, a little cattily, that they were shiny. The shine was from the fabric being a polyester blend, and itsn't terribly authentic. So, I pulled them out, and will replace with cranberry velvet if I can find it, chocolate velvet otherwise.

The front pleating of the skirt:

Back pleating:

To reduce the excess fabric around the waist, I pulled the back seam in another 1/2".  This cleared up a lot of fitting issues, so I am very happy about that.  I also pulled one of the shoulder seams out and sewed it slightly shorter, which alleviated the shoulders slipping down while wearing it.  Unfortunately, both of the alterations required removing the lining in places, so that will have to be retacked down.

The side view is more flattering than before, although it remains a very bulky gown.

Between the weight of both gowns together, plus the heat factor in SoCal, I am guessing this won't be my favorite garb.

This is what is left remaining:
Find and sew in new sleeve linings
Repair lining in altered places
Alter lines of placard to better fit gown
Sew on placard
Sew on 4 million little hooky things for placard
Hem the gown.
Hand sew eyelets.

To finish the overall garments, I also need to sew additional sleeves in cranberry.  Those should not take long. I also need to finish the eyelets in the kirtle, and add a bit of stitching where the shoulder straps connect to make it look more continuous.

Almost done!

Pictures of both gowns together: