Wrap on the knuckles

I can’t cut out a pattern straight up. I just can’t.

I’ve got stripes, so why not play with stripes to come up with a tweak or too?  Taking peek on extant sheer dresses, stripes tended to be handled differently than solids or patterns during the 1860’s. Every example of a wrapped bodice during the 1860’s that I came across was in striped fabric, or had center front hooks and eyes. Buttons were reserved for solids or other patterns. Stripes are anti-button.

Am sure there are exceptions to my striped sheer anti-button thesis, but you could argue today that women dress like Lady Gaga. Just because there is an example doesn’t mean it was typical, or what the mode was trying to achieve. I think the point was to have a continuous stripe from the shoulder to waist, which you don’t get with buttons.

I decided to go with a wrap. Little bit more skin being shown, bit of flair from asymmetry. 1860's seems to have gotten skirt size confused with flair. 

I twisted the pattern peice a bit, aligning the fabric edge against my shoulder instead of center front, . Figure there's already 1.5 inches added for the placket, plus the extra for the gathers so I should be good. Worked out well, used my edge turner to get a nice low bulk line along the neck. Put in a few tiny tucks to give the wrap of bit of movement and looseness.

Only problem? The pattern calls for a skirt that sits over the bodice. That doesn't work with a wrap front, as you've no place to hang the skirt on in the front it the waist band is outside.

To be continued....