I don’t have a bustle gown, and I was also a month from my due date, so I was unprepared to sew one! She kindly let me wearing 18th century since it was kinda bustle-y. It’s a stretch, but I appreciated it, since I wanted to see everyone, especially Merja who came all the way out from Finland!
I wasn’t sure what I had that would fit, but I was inspired by Chelsea wearing a Francaise when she was very pregnant, and mine totally worked. I just let out the back laces and worked great! I did wear stays, but I wore them unlaced. Mine are sorta permanently laced and I just have a very very long single spiral lace that I knot so it doesn’t come undone and I can loosen it a lot to get in and out of them. So I just wore them like that, totally untightened. I actually found it they provided nice belly support without squeezing.
![IMG_4643](https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4572/26591274669_cba3be21d8.jpg)
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I was so happy to see Merja, and to get to see this lovely costume in person!
![IMG_4656](https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4532/38366680351_78e3121a36.jpg)
![IMG_4659](https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4556/26591266079_974b57710c.jpg)
There was a gorgeous picnic spread of delicious things:
![IMG_4666](https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4563/38366667871_0c5bca0d7f.jpg)
![IMG_4670](https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4553/38366673591_e64a849808.jpg)
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![IMG_4699](https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4567/26591299809_574f255d77.jpg)