28th August 2012: The problematic, but mildly amusing fitting... I tried the fully beaded dress on today - and then fell about laughing because after all of this, it now no longer fits. It's the hysterical kind of laughter, the 'oh-dear-god-WHY?!' moment actually, but it can be resolved. I've got an exact fabric match, which is pretty epic considering it was a vintage dress to begin with from the other side of the world, so I'm going to have to add another couple of gores on either side to make room for Bumpy and then hope it's enough for the bodice to sit a little lower and not ride up like it's currently doing. Also, the bust needs shaping again. Which is a pain in the bum, but a necessary evil I'm afraid.
All this of course, would be for the goal of wearing it in October - but on the other hand I could just hold off until May and avoid having to alter anything at all. I need a couple of days to think it over - me thinks. :]
16th August 2012: Sleeve beads I'm not entirely sure I'll be able to fit into this dress in October, but the sheer volume of the skirt is making me think it's a viable option at the moment. Needless to say, with the goal of Expo in mind, more beading needed to be done! So the sleeves have had a little more added. :]
24th July 2012: Beads! 3000 down, 7000 to go! I'm mostly following the lace overlay pattern already existing on the dress since it looks remarkably Labyrinth-esque. I know it's not going to be an exact copy due to the difference in cut and fabric, but I like to think it'll be suitably recognisable by the time it's finished. I also much prefer these giant sleeves, since there's more to them than the original.
I should probably be focusing on Toph right now, but I like tinkering with this dress so very, very much. Finishing it for the Ame ball is indeed pushing my luck, but it might be done before Christmas if I learn to pace myself properly!