It's done, but...

So this was the model.

This was the result.

My button hole skills stink right now, so I went with a side opening. 

 And I lined the front pleats and tacked them down so they would not droop.

And now I feel all the life is sucked right out of it.

I wore it, I got compliments, I handed out cards to a few people looking for sewing.

I do have to be prised out of it, over my head. It is FITTED. Sleeves have a dartlike fold at the elbow.

I will come back to this, just not this month. What's killing me is that the Fitted Shirt contest on Pattern Review requires a COLLAR (and the Wikipedia entry about collars is linked).

Do I add a collar? I mean, this shirt is FITTED within an inch of it's life (actually a centimeter).

I have to ponder further.

How do I want to wear this?

That's the universal question in sewing.

I like a look.

Is it the color, the shape, the fabric?

I don't want the hair, the buttons, but I do like the fabric (taffeta with some body?). I would make the bodice top a little more pleated than gathered, and I think I want the transition line to run just above the ....how do you say it? Bust point.

I've always like this bodice:

from timetailor.co.uk

As a flatchested woman, I am always interested in styles that take advantage of that.

I'm not interested in a heavily constructed  object (not a corsetier by any stretch) but I do like an architectural piece of clothing

This is one of my favorite shirts, I've made about five of them from the old Miyake Vogue pattern. It's so cozy and it looks so cool.

Somewhere between the two, that's where my brain is going.

I just don't think I can pull off buttons on the front (that damn machine is giving me fits again). Side zip?

Meanwhile, I bought fabric. And snaps. And an invisible zipper. Oh, and more thread.

I have a date I'd like to wear it by.