So, I’ve begun taking BJD commissions in earnest, and my first real commissions are in progress. An update for my clients (and anyone who loves to see the process from the beginning to the end):
Dress for TheBeautifulDoll:
My sketch: 
Modifications by TheBeautifulDoll: 
The palette I’ve arranged:
Cream/gold silk tafetta, ivory silk tafetta, ivory and white silk chiffon, ivory silk ribbon. There will also be lace–but I’ll be making it so that it’s just right. Stay tuned.
Embellishments:
Topaz swarovski crystals, brown pearls, ivory pearls, opaque ivory glass beads & clear champagne glass beads.
Here’s the mock-up:
Currently, the trouble is that it will not stay up. With the bust area, for all intents and purposes, freestanding, and the sash a decoration, there’s nothing to hold it to the form. I’m going to experiment with clear bra strap plastic and see if it will provide the toothyness I need under the bust and across the back–it’ll get covered with the sash, so it won’t show.
The drape in chiffon will be much nicer, nevertheless, I think I may want to add some fullness at the hem and take in the waist area a bit.
Also an annoyance–the drape of the very-low back. Silk ribbon (instead of twill tape) should make the difference in the band’s puffyness, nevertheless, I think I will want to gather rather than pleat in the final product.
The bust is going to reqire a teeny bit of tweaking along the sides and center, then, once it’s the right shape, I’ll cover it in lace, so the darts and such won’t show.
Also in progress: pattern drafting for a Spencer Jacket for Ann14747, details TBD.
