Make it Fit!

I love the fabric in this dress, a shiny-satin teal paisley (Persian Pickle!)and a matte wispy version of the same pattern. After I saw this picture of me wearing it at an Alumni Association dinner, I could see how unflattering it was on me. It has sat in my closet for too long. Terrible fit in my non-waist and too long in the shoulders (it is not cool when the shoulder seam that is supposed to sit at the top of your shoulder is creeping down onto your bicep...I have narrow shoulders, thank you Grandma Laura, and a high waist. This dress was not cut out for me. Why did I buy it? Great price, fit around my chest, and that first sentence--loveLOVElove the fabric.)

So I cut it up for Emma! Minus 10 sizes, it fit her better, flattering colors...
First I carefully cut off the skirt from the bodice, sleeves off and used a Simplicity 5591 pattern to re cut the bodice. I put the pattern up against the finished edges of my dress so wouldn't have to do any edges...I took 4 inches out of the underarm.

And took the scraps from cutting down the other parts to make a quilted stomach area-- (what is this part of the dress called? Not a yoke, not a bodice, a front panel part?) You wouldn't know this is pieced from 7 scraps???