Pushing Daisies Sew Along Update: One Step Forward and Two Steps Back

I would like to start off this post with a shout out to MrsC from Sent from my iRon. I won this ring pin cushion in her Sew Grateful giveaway contest, and I thought it was clever at the time, but now that I've been using it, it's not just clever, it's essential. It's so perfect, so easy to use, and I'd rank it second in importance after my scissors. Seriously, get one. (And I rarely use pins at all so you can trust that it must be amazing!)

On to the sewing. I pinned on the sleeves, adding some gathering to make everything fit and they seemed to fit perfect. It was nice and comfortable and looked great.

Except, wait. I don't think the shoulders are supposed to be that low on my arm. Oh, dear.

It turns out, unfortunately, that the dress form I use has wider shoulders than I do.

And when I correct the shoulders, this is what happens to the neckline. Sighhhhh.

I was considering an easy fix and just pinning it off to one side. (Right? It looks rather interesting, I think.)

But when I woke up this morning (because suddenly all my best ideas come when I wake up- so weird) I realized that the armholes are a bit too tight. So rather than being slightly uncomfortable, it's best to undo the entire neckline and add 2 extra darts, fix the shoulders so it's looser and in the right place, and redo the sleeves.

Good news: My first time ever doing sleeves has gone beautifully (minus the shoulder mishap which I don't think was entirely my fault) so fingers crossed that I won't suddenly encounter problems.

Bad news: This is officially the fifth time I've reworked the neckline. 

Good news: At least I won't have that awful boat neck (and so I won't have to wear a strapless bra!) and the arm hole will be more comfortable.

Lesson learned: I am NEVER using a pattern where the drawings look like aliens. It's just not meant to be.

I also began attaching the bodice and the skirt together. I needed to feel somewhat productive after realizing everything needed to come apart AGAIN.

At the moment it looks rather matronly, but I haven't hemmed it yet. 

I'm still hoping it'll be done this weekend, but more likely it'll be finished some time next week. You have no idea how excited I am to move on to something else!