Lessons Learned thus far...

I just made an executive decision to nix the middle pleats from this dress. I attached a picture of where I'm at with the top. I am just a beginner and tried doing them 3 times and couldn't get them with enlarging the skirt. I went to buy more fabric and they only had about a yard left. Because of this, I'm trying to add to the backside but am a little afraid of the side seam and how it will hang.

Lesson 1: know your measurements before buying the pattern. Yes, this should be known but I hadn't run into an issue until now. Since I'm new, I didn't take this to heart for this project and now I'm worried. I'm expanding the size but its making those pleats very difficult for me. So, I've decided it will look ok with a flat front plus it will be easier to expand. They shouldn't even list sizes on the packages to force people to measure. Haha had I seen this post about making a muslin draft, I would be in much better shape now and not worried about the fit.

Lesson 2: lining isn't that bad. Last night, I did do a boo boo and didn't hide the inside stitch between the pit and top waist, but its unseen by anyone but the wearer. This morning I pictured how I should be sewed it, oh well. I am adding lining to the skirt part and like the way it looks finished. It makes me want to add linings to some cheap skirts I have, but first I should fit into them again!