The case of the never ending handstitching.

I have completed the pad stitching, but not the hand stitching and I think I have tendinitis.  I've been loading up on the turmeric tea to help with any extra inflammation and claw hand all this hand stitching is causing.  

This past weekend, I took in the seams about 1/4" each, added the facing, stitched the seams to the underlining, added the back stay and finished the hem.  

I drafted the back stay from the pattern.  Measure 8" down from the center back, 3" down from the armhole and connect the dots.  

The directions said to blind stitch the hem, but I didn't see the point since I am adding a lining, so I attached the top and bottom with caste stitching.  

I'm determined to finish this bad boy while it's still cold! Let's say in the next two weeks...ok, well maybe 3, but shooting for 2. :) 

The pad stitching saga has come to an end...

 The pad-stiching has finally come to an end on Vogue 8333.  I would call it bittersweet, but my fingers have been pricked so much I think I have calluses now.  I seriously need to use a thimble next time.  I never understood what thimbles were for until I started pad-stitching.    

Today, I finished the under-collar and collar band. I think my pad-stitching has gotten a bit better - a bit.  Still miles to go in looking neat!  I drew guidelines this go round, and they really helped keeping my stitches somewhat straight and even.  

I decided to use a contrast lining for the under-collar.  I'm not a pop the collar kind of gal, so it doesn't bother me much that you can see the stitches on the bottom.   I pinned the under-collar on my tailor's ham and steamed it like crazy, then let it dry for a few hours.  

The under-collar has a nice roll on it.  I've just pinned it in this photo, I wanted to get the fit right on the body before attaching the collar.  

When I made the muslin, I worried that when I cut the fabric it would be too tight, quite the opposite has happened; it is now about 3 sizes too big.  

When I sewed the pleats and pockets in this fabric they did not give me the blues like the muslin.  Maybe I didn't have enough caffeine when I did the muslin because today, they took no time at all and I did it according to the pattern instead of winging it.   I don't think you can see them in the photo below, I'll get a better pic next time.