Things I learned from the Victorian Ball Gown

1. If the gown is fitted and your bra size is odd, do a mockup. The size chart said that I should do a twelve and I ended up doing a fourteen.
   
   
2. No matter what the pattern says, take the boning out of the casing, sew on the casing, put the boning in the casing.
   
   
3. Read the back of the pattern envelope 16 times. The lace width really is listed.
   
   
4. Victorian clothes need more thread than 14th c. clothes. Three spools compared to one spool.
   
   
5. Expect to go through at least three needles.
   
   
6. Zippers are easy! If you're a perfectionist, that is.
   
   
7. When basting netting to fabric, you need to use tissue paper or something.
   
   
   • The netting doesn't get stuck in the sewing machine.
     
     
   • The pins don't fall out.
     
     
8. It does not take long to get a 3rd degree burn from an iron.
   
   
9. Perfectionists should not have to do gathers.
   
   
10. It DOES matter which thread you pull to do gathers. (bobbin thread)