Starting the chorus costumes

I am taking a giant leap of faith into the unknown by assuming the chorus in our panto will be able to wear the costumes I have decided on.  As I still don't know what the pantomime will be next year this could be a very stupid move but being a bit on the ill side, and not wanting to do anything too brain strenuous, bodices for a coordinated chorus seem like a good idea.

I have made this pattern so many times before it is ridiculous.  It is one of the most adaptable patterns I have made and is based on a basic 16^th Century design.  Since its appearance in the fashion world it has continued to be used to this day so it must be a good one!  I have used it from Tudor to 1950’s and it has never let me down.  It is also the pattern we are using for our Victorian dresses but without all the ‘proper’ sewing they will need  it’s relatively quick and easy to do.

What I am trying to achieve is a bodice that can be reduced by at least two sizes by pulling in the lacing.  Have I told you about my zip trick?  A normal dress zip costs less than an open ended zip so I put them in upside down!  In the case of a bodice it works really well and they are so much cheaper and easier to get hold of.

So the fist thing I did was cut the bodice out and overlock around the edges so I didn't have to do any hemming etc Then I put two pin tucks 2” from the centre on both the back and the front pieces.  

 In those pin tucks I inserted a loop of ribbon 1½ “ long and then sewed along the length, these form the loops for the lacing.

Because I have used an overlocker (serger) on the edges I can do smaller seams which may add a bit more to the bodices adjustment ability!  All the seams are pinned and sewn together except the left side where I insert an upside down dress zip.  A good pressing and put ribbon through the loops.

It seems I have now got about 5” worth of adjustment from largest to smallest size on this so that’s a success.  The blue version is left to its full size which measures 41”, the pink shows the bodice pulled tight and measures 36”

Both bodices are identical sizes shown on the same dummy (you can see the pink peeking out from under the blue) so I think I can assume this project was a success :D