© Cathy Hay
Give a mathematician a decision, and what does she do? Draw a diagram, of course! You can see above (click to enlarge) that we were all right about the neckline: the braid is right for the lower neckline, but the centre front is right with the higher neckline - and the rosette was too high.
After all that, the difference I cut out was all of ⅝".
I have re-made the bodice, silk satin backed with cotton, and it feels much sturdier. With the hooks and eyes in place in the centre back, I have confirmed that it fits without stretching or tearing.
And now I'm working on the boning and seam allowances.
© Cathy Hay with the permission of Birmingham Museums & Art Gallery
© Cathy Hay