Astonishing

Yesterday I redrafted the bodice pattern for my 1880's dress with the 33" rule instead of the 35" rule and cut out a muslin. Today I tried it on, and I was astonished. It was almost perfect; even the darts were good. The only thing I had to adjust was the shoulder area and let out some of the hem at the center front. So I suddenly have a good pattern for a mid-1880's bodice. Even the sleeve was good. I have to add something for a hem, but that's fine. The pattern didn't say it had any hem allowance.

I sketched on alteration lines for modifying the bodice to be more like the inspiration garment so I still need to make a copy of the pattern to modify, but it really astonished me how well the fitting went. Then I cut the lining for the sleeves and bodice back and foundation skirt so it feels like I'm making good progress on this dress. Either I'm being rewarded for something, or it will come back to bite me later.