Simplicity 1610 - 1950s Fancy gathered bust dress

After much thought I have decided on my next 'Make a month' project, Simplicity 1610. This is such a fancy dress! Since this one is technically my 'April' dress I am going with a buttercup yellow stiff cotton fabric. (Not sure of what it is exactly. It's thicker than broadcloth but not as thick as quilt weight cotton.) I am toying with the idea of doing the center front panel in a contrasting print. I also think it would be neat to add some kind of hand painted design along the hem. Tikis perhaps?





I actually already used this pattern this past October out of a shimmery black and silver semi sheer cotton fabric. This particular fabric was quite thin so the skirt is not as full as it would be had I used a stiffer fabric. Here are pictures of the black version:

Details of the bust gathers. These  were tricky! This was the most challanging pattern I have ever made. I had to add a lot of hidden hand stitching to keep the bust pleats in place. I love me some rhinestones so I went crazy with this one. This pattern was not without the usual fitting problems. I had to add extra darts to the side of the bust as usual. And the wrap around and tuck bust pleat business took forever to get right. But now that I have already worked out the kinks of this pattern I am hoping the yellow version will be smooth sailing. Fingers crossed!