One of my main concerns about the dress so far, is the lacing ribbons. I don't want to put too much strain on them, and have them pop, nor do I want to go through the hassle of deconstruction when the ribbons get all nasty. So, here are two options I've come up with so far:



Either tie off two ends of the ribbon to each ring, and tie, or loop through the ring and tie. I'm leaning towards the 'loop' idea, since you don't have to perfectly center the knot/bow....Just tie, and adjust.

Am I smoking crack, or would this work?

Another thing.....the guards around the neckline and opening look.....'fuzzy', and deep. More so than velvet....more like a fluffy chenille. I think we're going to end up using velvet, however, unless I can think of something better to replicate the deep fuzzyness.



On to the next bit.....sleeves! (or undersleeves, rather) I'm wiffling on how to construct these sleeves. Under 'normal' circumstances, I would say that these gold undersleeves were attached to some sort of kirtle or underdress, but there is *obviously* nothing like that going on here. (Open front, no gold, no lacing for open kirtle, and at right sleeve cap, no gold showing.)



So here's the thing...do I sew the entire sleeve as one unit? (blue outer sleeve, green lining, and gold undersleeve) I think that is the direction I'm leaning right now. I'll have to see how the patterns behave.

As for the undersleeves themselves, I think I have a handle on how to actually *construct* them. I'll use one of my pre-drafted sleeves from Holly's silver gown and split it, adding....oh, I don't know.....maybe 3/4 the total width, and re-draft the armscye......


I'll box pleat the cuff, and add a row of stay-stitching about.....an inch down from the ruffle, and then another row about 2-3 inches down from that. Over the stitching, I'll run a ribbon or self fabric band, which will most likely become the button loops as well.



I have not figures out how to deal with the bulk at the top of the sleeve, but maybe I'll turn it into a 'feature' and make it help puff out those enormous outer sleeves.

I *think* I'm going to construct the camacia in much the same way....gather the neckline to death, stay-stitch, and top with ribbon/self fabric.