This bit was done months ago, but I want to show the whole process so into the blog it goes!
The first thing I did was to look through my pattern box to see what I could find with approximately the right shapes. I settled on Butterick 6583 for the top, which I made many moons ago and and which had a really nice fit, and has shoulders (although unfortunatly not sleeves). In fact, thats probably the first serious bit of dressmaking I did. The other pattern I used was Butterick 6533, which has the kind of shape to the skirt I nee to start with - straight at the front and slightly trained at the back. The fishtail shape will come from godets inserted into the side front and center back seams.
I traced out the pieces from each pattern and overlayed them, matching the waistlines marked on the patterns. There are 3 parts - front, side front and back. I combined the two back pieces of 6583 into one, and raised the necklines at both front and back - since I don't know yet where the neckline will be I'm starting as high as possible - you can always take off excess fabric but never add on fabric you haven't got!
The first thing I did was to look through my pattern box to see what I could find with approximately the right shapes. I settled on Butterick 6583 for the top, which I made many moons ago and and which had a really nice fit, and has shoulders (although unfortunatly not sleeves). In fact, thats probably the first serious bit of dressmaking I did. The other pattern I used was Butterick 6533, which has the kind of shape to the skirt I nee to start with - straight at the front and slightly trained at the back. The fishtail shape will come from godets inserted into the side front and center back seams.
I traced out the pieces from each pattern and overlayed them, matching the waistlines marked on the patterns. There are 3 parts - front, side front and back. I combined the two back pieces of 6583 into one, and raised the necklines at both front and back - since I don't know yet where the neckline will be I'm starting as high as possible - you can always take off excess fabric but never add on fabric you haven't got!