Gaping back neckline

[Mule]

I finally had a little time to work on my dress today, and I got the bodice put together. It fits great everywhere, except there is gaping at the back neckline! This isn't a problem I generally have, so although I basted it together at the shoulder and side seams to check the fit, I've already attached the back facing. And clipped, understitched, etc.

I'm not sure why I'm having this problem because it doesn't look too big anywhere else in the back. I don't think I have a forward thrusting neck which sometimes causes that. And I've never noticed this problem in my RTW clothes.

But in the meantime, I'm trying to figure out the best way to fix this. I thought of partially removing the facing and making two darts to take out some of the fullness there. Hopefully the facing could ease back on without having to alter it. I'm wondering if I could do something with clear elastic, but there's a facing too.

I might have enough fabric to cut out a new back, but I'm not sure how I'd remove the fullness since I need it across the back. Although if I have to do a new back, I could finish it by attaching clear elastic and turning the edge over, and skip the facing altogether.

Back neckline shape is square shaped.....

Any suggestions?

[MartySews2]

Beth, I think if you recut the back, add darts on the paper pattern to pin out the excess but don't cut darts on your fabric. You will have the smooth look that you are trying to obtain without adding in the darts. Hope this helps.
Marty

[SmilieFace]

I had a similar issue with a dress I made with cap sleeves. It turned out the sleeves were too big, if that makes sense. I was able to"shrink" the sleeves without taking anything apart by bringing the sleeves together and the top seam of sleeves (that didn't touch the bodice) and then using bias tape to finish the edge of the sleeves. Does that make sense? I didn't figure this out by myself. Many people had commented on the Pattern Review page of the pattern that they had similar issues and they had taken in the sleeves to fix it. Perhaps you could check Pattern Review and see if other people have had the same problem?

[Mule]

I don't think they did, and part of the problem could be due to my not using the normal back piece. I'm going to play around with it a little today and see what I can figure out. Thanks for the suggestions!

[bridesmom]

Oh, that is annoying Beth! Is the fabric printed? I'm wondering if you took your darts at the corners of the square and made the dart towards the armscye if it would make it look like there was a seam attaching the 'straps' at the back. Does that make any sense? I drew a picture, it's a little off balance, but i think it shows the idea.