Finished black and white spotty dress

Finally.  The pictures you've all been waiting for.  Drum roll please.  Although I finished the dress a couple of weeks ago, it was only earlier this week that we managed to get out of the house in some decent (i.e. not foggy) weather.  We went to York for the day, and found a quiet spot in the Museum Gardens.  I wanted as few witnesses as possible for this.  I'm going to apologise in advance for the pictures.  I'm not, as you will see, a natural in front of the camera.  In fact I try to avoid it whenever possible.  The sacrifices I make for you all!

So, for those not up to speed, I wanted to make a dress to replace one that I loved but that fell to pieces.  Well split down a seam once too often to be repairable anyway.  I drafted the pattern myself.  And here's the result.

 This is my 'I don't know where to put myself or how to pose' pose.  This is the best full length shot we got.  No, really.  In all the others I looked just as dopey and a lot more, how shall we put this?  Erm, Buxom.  I think we'll move swiftly along to some close ups of the dress features now.

Collar and sleeve.  Note the lack of wrinkles and puckers in the sleeve.

Slightly (!) baggy front of dress.  This was because I forgot to interface and stay stitch neckline before adding the collar.  I did genuinely forget, but I never really understood why books and patterns told you to interface and stay stitch.  I do now.  The collar was supposed to meet front and back, but because of afore mentioned oversight they don't.  It's a design feature if anyone asks.  It also lead to the whole of the bodice being too big.  View exhibit A below.

I'm not even sucking in my stomach or anything, it really did stretch that much.  Always remember the interfacing people!  See what I mean about the buxomness though?

 And this is quite clearly the back of the dress.  Judging by the stance, it's a bloke in that dress!  I really must practice posing.  I did feel a complete eejit.

Twirling.  There was no one around, which was why I wasn't carted away at this point.  I did want a fuller, more twirly skirt, but didn't have enough fabric.  I also forgot to put pockets in.  D'oh.

And one final shot.

 I feel really stupid now.  Once you've all picked yourselves up from the floor I have other updates.  The dress for the wedding (next week) is finished.  Yay.  Three times I pinned that hem yesterday.  I'm still feeling quite bitter about it.  I've made the World's most over the top wedding card as well.  I'll post pictures of that when I show off the dress.  I will try to get more sensible photos of that.  Today I made a set of baby blocks, again pictures will follow.  I haven't forgotten my nieces by the way (if only!).  Charlotte's Elsa dress needs the bodice lining attaching, the cloak trimming, a hem and lots of sparkles.  I've also just realised it's her birthday in less than two weeks.  I think I should stop typing now!