Victorian 1850's style evening dress bodice for Gaskell's. Fabric appears to be a red acetate with gold print flowers.
bodice bodiceback

Bodice

Red acetate with gold print flowers, boned, off-the-shoulder bodice with back lacing through buttonholes, pleated bertha with black velvet trim and ruffled satin and lace and back hook and eye closure, ruffled black chiffon around neckline, same fabric oversleeves, back placket, underarm/bust pads (fills in the space between underarm and bust).
Pattern: Simplicity 5724.

This pattern has very limited arm mobility. Arms end up in a down position which was very fashionable at the time. Changed the undersleeve to a gathered puff which gives a little more movement but arms still cannot be moved above the head.
sleeve front detail


Completed: December 2006 approx 13 hrs