So I finally finished whipping the top gown fabric to the heavy linen interlining. I planned to attach the hooks & eyes to the interlining and put the lining on top, in order to avoid them pulling and showing the lining.

So I pull out the gown tops to start measuring, and I find this:

#$*&$

So I ripped out the stitches, flipped the fabric around, and whipped it down again. Then I was finally ready for hooks and eyes:

Note the alternating sides of the hooks and eyes. I’m not sure where I picked up this idea, but I think it makes things pull more evenly.