Done with mock-ups... for now...

I think I finally have a workable pattern for my Regency stays. I changed out the bust cup for gussets on one side of my stays and made the bust cup smaller, then I looked in the mirror a lot to compare. The gussets definitely have a lot more lift. With the cups, you just sort of sit in it, while the gussets push things up. It was visibly different. I wanted to take pictures, but I couldn't get the centre front to stay supported with the boning I had masking taped in there and having that support CF really makes a difference. I totally just guesstimated the size and shape of the bust gussets and they worked fine. (The joys of experience!) Each gusset has one straight side and one more rounded side. All I need to change is to make the top of the gusset slightly narrower (just a hair) and to move them a little more toward the centre. I'm going to try and get the stays cut out today and maybe get the slits for the gussets cut and ironed. Then it will be some days in hand-sewing land for me!