I was going for simple and understated. Thoughts? I also have a black petticoat to go underneath it that gives the skirt a little more body, but I wasn't wearing it in this picture. Also, I promise the skirt is even but I was crunching it with my hand, and my brother didn't know any better to point that out before taking the picture, haha.

I only have a bun wig and I'm decently sure I won't be wearing it, but I don't know what I'm going to do with my hair. I did cover a (non-puffy) headband with the blue fabric.

More bling! Girl, you're in prelims, go crazy with the sparkle! I really like the colour combo though, and I think its pretty. You should take some pictures with the fluffy skirt underneath =)

Also, you should wear the bun wig! You look like you're petite enough to pull of the bun wig, plus it gives a more polished look (in my opinion)

Congrats on the dress!

I don't think I'm so much into the bling as I used to be. I had a blinged-out solo dress for my first year or so in prelims, and the reason for making this one is so I could compete again with more of my own style. The demand for sparkle is one of the reasons I stopped competing in the first place, because it just wasn't my thing. Each to their own however, as anyone else can have as much sparkle as they like.

I am considering wearing the bun wig, if for no other reason than I have no idea how else I would do my hair and have it look nice as well as stay out of my face. I've always worn a bun wig while competing, and I do like the look.

While I'm on my winter break, if I can afford the fabric, I might try making another bodice since this was mostly a trial run to see if I could even do it. I think I could do a better job on a second try, and possibly try some knot work or something as well.

I like it a lot! It reminds me of a Pennie Drew Dress- simple, but still has the right "look". It's a great color combo and the skirt looks like it would move really softly and nicely.

I think a bun wig would go well with the whole clean and elegant look too, but the dress is simple enough that a full wig wouldn't be too much either. Congrats on making it

I love it! It's sleek and mature, yet modern at the same time. The bodice turned out pretty well I think, especially for a 'trial run'.

I'm not a bling/sparkle addict either myself, but I do think if you want to put a little something 'extra' to the dress, I'd recommend along the black collar of the bodice and/or maybe a small design on the base of the cape. Just to make it look more finished. Not encrusted with crystals mind you, just a spot here or there, and only if you were looking to accent the ensemble a bit.

I like the fabric choice and the way the skirt lays. I also would like to see what it looks like with the petticoat under it.

The bodice is totally usable as it is, but if you are going to make another, I would see if you could get a slightly closer fit for your lower chest/ribcage area. It looks a tiny bit large there. Actually you could just take the original in a little at the side seams. I think that would help your simple dress look even better and more polished.

I also think you should add just a little bling. Not much, but without any, it looks just a little bit plain. You could use black, to be less obvious. The velvet at the collar would be a great place, and maybe echo the design on the cape. And maybe just a little on the black ribbon at the front waist? Unfortunately, stones cost money, but your idea for knot work could jazz things up nicely and stay with your own style!

Overall, it is very nice and I'm sure you will love dancing in the soft skirt!

^That fit there is what makes me want to try again. I know I could easily take it in a bit more but...I made a completely ridiculous but crucial mistake when I purchased my supplies. I'm embarrassed to admit it. I didn't take the zipper out of the package to realize it was the kind that does not completely come apart at the bottom end. Also (you can laugh), I didn't realize that until after I had sewn the zipper in and went to try the bodice on for the first time. Needless to say, I have to do quite a bit of sliding and wiggling in the hip region to even get into the darn thing. Haha. So I don't want to take it in any more, but I will be getting the right zipper next time. But this will do for the next few months.

As for jazzing up the design, I did have an idea while I was completing the dress. I thought of cutting some raindrop shapes in the velvet and putting them around the bottom of the bodice, and some blue ones around the neckline and possibly on the skirt. I didn't end up doing it because I was afraid of ruining what I had done, but the option is still there.

In a few days I'm going to give the hair a trial run, and I'll take a new picture then with the petticoat too.

I appreciate all constructive comments, as I've never made a dress before.

Edit: I'm making a solo, and the bodice I based off of your bodice. So yeah, credit to you for the bodice idea =)

(although i'm going to go crazy with the stones, but that's just me.)