Just a thought...but if you're sewing yourself a new dress, wouldn't it be better just to sew it while in your bra, panties, girddle, stockings, and lace slip? I mean, if you felt the need, you could do the heels too, guess that wouldn't look TOO silly. That way you're not mussin' up that hairdo and makeup that you took the time to put on before you started so that you could do your best stitching!