This outfit is Julie's birthday presents for like ten years

I had to slowly take in the side back seams, pinning out a half inch or so at a time, because it was so puffy. I think some of the problem is that the neckline needs to be cut down just a smidge in the back, and it'll sit properly with a petersham. But this stupid peplum makes everything very hard. As do all of the pins, but if I baste it I know I'll pop the stitches every time I take it off or put it on. I'm going to have to add a couple of strips down either side of the fronts, which is annoying because I can tell it'd fit decently if I just had a better, more supportive corset but OH WELL.

The bustle needs a pad underneath. I thought it would hang right but when I put it on it tilted up in front. (It only needs one tie; the wires have bent into shape or something.) The bottommost hoop also keeps coming out of the fastener, which is a problem. It's the second fastener I've used on that hoop and I'm not using a third - I'll either use some tape to hold it in place or just let it form a slight point.

I should make all the skirts first, shouldn't I? So that if there's bulk at the waist I can make the bodice bigger again? It seems counterintuitive because a) I generally do hardest bit first to get it out of the way and b) you're guaranteed no piecing on the bodice, but there seems to be a lot of merit to doing the skirts before it.