Renaissance Faire 2016: Princess Dress

This dress took forever.  At least two weeks.  One of the most complicated things I've probably done.  I should go back and fix a couple things.
Good thing she loves it.

 This was actually the first project I started for this year's Renaissance Faire.  It was a good thing I didn't save it for last, or it would never have gotten done.  It took me 2-3 hours to get all the pieces cut and marked.  Another night to sew darts, oh the darts.  16 darts in total.

 It is straight up view B with no alterations.  Because, guess what?  You can't alter it.  There are no "lengthen or shorten here" places due to the way the skirt and bodice are formed and go together.

 And given the construction of the tulip skirt, it definitely required leggings to go with it.  (and MY boots)

 I should say, that despite all the pieces and all the steps it did go together like it was supposed to.  I've never sewn anything quite like it before, though.  The cross straps are sewn into the neckline, but then hand stitched on the outside.  (another evening of sewing)  That is actually the one thing I should probably go back and fix.  I should probably sew those straps down while its on the dress form so the curves sit correctly.  To me the bust area isn't as smooth as it should be.

The skirt does sit smoothly, but it was a bit windy and E had already been sitting in the car for 20 minutes before we took pictures.  Oh, and she had worn it for most of a day once I finished it.

Just a couple more things, in case you are curious about this pattern and visiting from the interwebs.
The instructions have you do lots of under stitching (I don't get under stitching, I mean, I know why I'm supposed to do it, but it never seems to work well for me.  Give me top stitching any day).  And I did it, because top stitching clearly was not going to work on this dress, but because the neckline was so thick with all the layers of fabric, lace and interfacing, the lining still kept coming forward, so this was my hack: I did a large running stitch, from the lining side, through all but the top layer, all the way around the neck opening, and now the lining doesn't roll to the front.  I don't care if its not pretty, or doesn't match.  It worked.

 And also, the back detail.  The bands do not actually go all the way around.  They meet up at the side seam.  The pattern has to do this because of the side invisible zipper.

 E and Mini.