I dressed myself!

Look how pleased with myself I am!

It's been two weeks since I finished this dress, and this is the first time I've put it on - I didn't even try it on for fit after I finished it!  But tonight we're going out for dinner with some friends and I wanted to wear it.  I tied the bow myself, and it really wasn't that hard!  I used the "rabbit ears" method ;-)  Look:

And I'm sitting back on my chair as I type this, and the bow is not digging into my back, so that's a great thing!  I have a feeling that has a lot to do with not interlining the straps.

Here's a full pic of the front and back so you guys can see the fit.  I probably could have taken a little more in on my swayback adjustment, but the fit of this dress depends a lot on how tightly you tie the bow, I found.

I like the length, but I think I'd be better off with a shoe that doesn't sit so high up on the ankle - it really shortens my legs visually.  But I'm sticking with these for tonight because I can drive in them, and while I like them, they're not my favorites, so if it storms later like it's supposed to and they get a little dirty, I won't be too upset.  Do you guys go to that level with your wardrobe planning?

In case it's cold in the restaurant, I'm wearing a shrug I knit years ago.  I like this pattern so much I made it three times!  It's loose enough that the bow doesn't look like a weird lump in the middle of my back:

One thing I forgot to mention in my construction notes is that I fit this bodice to the strapless bra I'm wearing.  I know several people added bust cups to the inside of their dresses, but I really didn't want to fuss with that, and strapless bras don't bother me.

I'm very happy with the fit!

Here's one last photo, because you can see the texture of the shrug better in this one.  It's really just a big feather and fan rectangle, folded and sewn a little at two edges, with stitches picked up and worked in rib for the sleeves.  Sadly, the yarn has been discontinued - it's a lovely, drapey linen/cotton/rayon blend.

And that, my friends, is the delighted look of a lady who has a pretty new dress, and is a mere two hours from a fantastic Ethiopian meal!