This was actually my first (successful) version of the boat-neck bodice from Gertie’s Ultimate Dress Book – a pattern I’ve now used multiple times in different variations. I made this one with fitting advice from Gertie herself at one of her dressmaking retreats in Beacon, NY, back in June last year. This is the dress I wore for my Masters graduation ceremony in July.

The fabric I chose is actually a decor fabric, so it is a heavier weight than most fashion fabrics, but I like the structure it gives the dress. I was drawn to the print, which is almost a novelty print in that it looks like an abstract, but at second glance it's white lilies on a pink background.

In terms of fit, I didn’t actually make that many adjustments on this one – just my standard full bust adjustment (FBA) and lengthening the midriff piece slightly. In subsequent versions I’ve further refined the fit, adding a swayback adjustment and extending the shoulders to allow more arm mobility for versions with sleeves.