I've got an update on my Bristol Gown dress diary.

Should I lower the top edge of my corset? I think it may be 1/2-1 inch too high in the front. Good for a bodice, but just a little high for a corset. The muslin is only going above the corset by about 1/4 inch...and for the Bristol gown, I want to do the French arched front like in the portrait... Also, it closes in the front completely, should I remove one of the lacings (front and back lacing) so that there is a gap for weight/water loss/gain?

Please, give me your opinion.

Ok, so I've added my blog post to my dress diary here: http://www.trishstuff.com/costuming/renaissance/imade6.html and I've also added more photos to help explain the issues. Here's the high contrast image of the pattern I made and made up in the muslin.

I'm having trouble, I think it starts with the new corset. Here is a picture of the Inspiration dress and my edits, to show basically what I want to do for the bristol gown. I think I'm going to have to remove the straps on my corset and put new ones on. I just can't get the neckline out far enough for my tastes... See images below. If I just add lacing holes further over for the straps, then the back gaps at the arm...which is why I think I need to re-cut the pieces. But I think there won't be too much of a problem with the bodice because in the muslin, the straps were on the bias and stretched a lot. And the bodice won't be stitched all to heck with duck like the corset...Maybe the corset straps should be only one layer of duck that's just bound... Hmmmm... Ideas, suggestions?