Hello everyone,

I know this group hasn't been very active lately, so I thought I'd
try to wake it back up. Also, I know we mostly talk about costumes
from the 2004 Phantom of the Opera movie here, but there is one from
the 1925/1929 version (staring Lon Chaney and Mary Philbin) that I
absolutely fell in love with years ago. It's Christine's Marguerite
costume from Faust. Still being a bit new to sewing and costuming, I
thought I'd ask a few questions and see if I can get some answers
from the more experienced costumers here.

I've added some pictures of the dress to an album on this group
called "1925 Christine Marguerite." My main questions are about a
pattern I recently bought. I bought the pattern going from memory,
thinking that it was similar to the dress. When I got it home and
compared it with the movie (and actually sketched the gown in the
movie), I saw that they were quite different. The pattern is
McCall's 5444 (also show in my album here). I've posted what
pictures I have of the dress in the movie; unfortunately, I don't
have a good full view of the dress. I will try to post my sketch of
the dress when I get it scanned in though, and possibly some screen
caps if/when I do those.

OK, on with my questions. The basic differences in the dress and
patter are as follows: The dress has a natural waistline, while the
pattern has an empire style waistline. The dress has lacing in the
front and the pattern in the back. The pattern has a split two-layer
skirt, while the dress has a simple skirt with no split and visible
under-layer. So my main question would be, am I in over my head with
this project? Would converting the pattern be too difficult? I also
have the retired pattern Simplicity 9966 (also shown in my folder).
Would it give me a better pattern to go off of for the bodice and/or
the skirt? Should I use a mix of the two patterns taking the sleeves
from M5444 and the rest from S9966? Any suggestions would be
helpful. Thanks in advance.

Sarah