Alteration Journal - Bodyline Bunny Patch JSK - Planning
A lot of things changed in the few years that I wasn't actively keeping up with egl, one being that Bodyline - both new and second hand, is expensive now?
Anyhow, I managed to find somebody selling an older Bodyline jsk for a pre-fallout price ($30AUD after postage). It's a medium. I've squeezed myself into a Bodyline medium before, but it's not the intended fit on the bust by a longshot and I wouldn't dare try it with a blouse.
This, I thought, was fine! I just recently sewed panels into the bodice of my other Bodyline dress using the fabric from its waist bow! This new dress doesn't have a waist bow but it's gingham, so I'm confident I can find a passable fabric match.
This is Bodyline's bunny patch jsk from 2011. A cute dress that I failed to realise is A-line!
This complicates my plan to add bodice panels, since there is very little gathering around the waist. This leaves no space for the bottom of a rectangular panel without gathering the panel itself, which would look strange.
As an amateur sewist I felt like my best option was to replace the back shirring panel with one with more stretch, though the lack of flexibility from the waist might create an awkwardly conical bodice shape?
I sat on this for a while before I landed on completely bisecting the dress into a two-piece set, a bustier and skirt.
The waist of the dress already fits me just fine, it wouldn't be much work to add a waistband. Once separated from the skirt, I would also be free to sew full rectangle panels into the bodice (and probably an extra ruffle at the hemline for balance).
I'm finally in a position where I'm able to have my sewing machine set up, so once I find a sufficient fabric match I can get to work on those alterations. Until then, there are a few cosmetic changes I can make by hand.
Those patch pockets are sad. They make me sad. If an impractically small opening is what makes this pocket cute, that's what it will get.
I'm also not the biggest fan of the faux-laced ribbons on the front. I'm not quite sure yet what my fix is but it may be as simple as adding an eyelet lace and creating an actually laced front.
The strap buttons are also mismatched. I'm always endeared to an imperfect home repair but I got the idea to replace them with bunny shaped buttons and I haven't been able to shake it.
That's all I've got to show at this stage, though I intend to start sewing soon.
