Jane Eyre or Jane Austen?

 Been watching both while doing this - the extended line of the shoulder is Eyre-y  and the skirt is something inbetween ( is based on a 1820s piece) . Still think the back is best - much more Austeny.
 As a quick make this has given a lot, it has been much more like the fast construction experiments I've done at the start of each major piece and not suffered from the laboured, well, labour. Not a piece I would hold up for close inspection especially on the inside but ..... at the moment, it will do.

raised the waist - much happier.

The adjustments worked quite sweetly, the bodice is shorter, raising the waistline, and the new proportions work better. The neckline is lower and wider without the wide band – again it gives a more balanced look to the bodice and just looks more finished.

Did have a bit of a crisis with it - survived being chucked in the washing machine perfectly well but there was PVA glue on the peg – hot water and panic later it all came out quite well. The hem decoration was a bit of a 'get out of jail card' to cover any marks, but I quite like the idea – it is very not me at all. Of course this is a later Regency shape with more volume in the skirt - who likes the easier task anyway?

the gritting of teeth worked

 So I'm having a go at crocheting a trim- I think this is do or die – it will be done, more gritted teeth, it will be done. Which is why I'm sat in the garden listening to Margery Allingham on an audio book doing anything other than crochet.

I would also like to add a chemisette with high frill to complete the neck line but haven't found a fabric I would like to work with yet. Another future task I think.
A temporary compromise would be a crochet thingy - not quite collar, frill or ruff. The neck line does look better with some  contrast and definition.

hem trim - took forever.

Again delaying tactics back fire, as the crochet might look good at the waist, around the neck or especially over the sleeve head. This is beyond gritted teeth – I feel a shopping therapy trip coming on. The point of the dress' existence is to show off the purple spencer so decoration on the bodice is without value! Saved. (does look good on the sleeve head though, back to Vandyke points.?...).
 So the little dress is done - ish. Would like to try a chemisette and this is a fairly good excuse. Another row on the collar thing would be good. And a trim and tidy round then it's properly done. Don't regret the extra work making the trimming - it serves its purpose and lifts the plain dullness of the calico.

Do have a sore patch on my finger from doing the crocheting. Hurrah, something to moan about!

last thought - what length should the skirt really be? Dancing and walking were shorter than full length but by how much? Should there be feet sticking out the bottom or is it merely toes?