Cocktail Attire

Humorously, this is one of the first patterns and pieces of fabric I bought when I learned to sew! However, because the silk was so expensive and pretty, for a long time I was too nervous about my skill level to attempt it. Then, when I got to the point where I would have felt confident making it, I kind of forgot about it! So now I'm finally pulling it out of the pile to work on. I was hoping to get it finished this weekend so it would be done in plenty of time. I'm trying to break my usual habit of sewing something the night before I want to wear it! However, a last minute road trip to Louisiana has come up and I won't be back until Sunday morning. Maybe I can get it done Sunday afternoon and evening? We shall see...

I started to cut out the pattern last night and I have a huge complaint already. According to the sizing chart, I should be cutting an 8 in the bust, a 12 in the waist and a 14 in the hips! I've never had the measurements off that much! I'm usually right in the range of 6-8! Is this dress only made for girls with big boobs and tiny waists and hips? I've made Cynthia Rowley patterns before I don't remember having this issue, but maybe I ignored the chart and just cut my regular size? I don't get it... I'm not super concerned about the bodice and skirt since they're both meant to have a lot ease, so I'll probably cut an 8 or 10 but I guess I'll have to measure the waist pattern pieces and figure out what weird size to cut since it's so fitted. Has anyone else made this dress and had this problem?

Also, I'm thinking about getting this feather thing to put on the waistband, maybe with a brooch or rhinestone glued to the tip? It's made for headbands but I think I could tack it on to waist, a little off center to glam it up a bit. Or I could always use it for it's original purpose and just make a headband to wear with the dress... Any thoughts?

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