Just couldn't do it, just couldn't leave it. Kept it at bay by gardening etc, but then it rained. Trapped indoors with a nearly right costume and all the doings ready to hand......Version II - muslin frill gone, lace attached. Did take over an hour to do but fortunately it was a good long shower. This time did remember to add a sash - a silk scarf.
The lace is a straight strip so needed to be gathered slightly over the shoulders and back to give a frill rather than a collar.
I'm afraid it isn't antique - old nylon, but at least it isn't bright white and has a slightly yellowed pattern worked through it.
The scale of the new frill has changed the look of the dress. It may still be quite Edwardian but id less top heavy. The distance from neck to waist looks longer and the front pleating is visible without the monster overhang. Okay the sash is a bit of over kill but the dress does look happier overall.
Every solution does involve creating new problems- The shoulders are more exposed now - does the gap at the top of the sleeve look too big? More smocking? Yes, it does but not tonight now the light is fading. With the upper section narrower it should give that bell like shape over the elbow. The ribbons need to be on the lower gather aswell. I am reluctant to do too much to the sleeves - they will never work properly until Gwen gets arms, but still....
Does it look more like the original portrait of Marie Josephine? I think so.
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