Polonaise Dart and Fit update
It's looking pretty good! The darts were a bit more of a challenge since the interlining is kind of floating around and being generally pissy. But it really does make the jacket have a certain soft yet strong quality that I wouldn't give up.
Fitting was interesting because the side seams aren't sewn until after trim is applied, which makes sense. But there was a tiny bit of hysterics because I just wasn't sure I had pinned the sides properly and I ended up with a lot more room than when I fitted the mockup.
Hysterics mostly happen when I'm laced up. Go figure. Once I had the corset off, reason again became possible and B's suggestion that I run with it and simply put the buttons wherever they'll close best was deemed to be the best way to handle it. With the seam allowance, the off-centeredness isn't terribly obvious, and the pattern does say that adjustments can be made at the center front. I would hate to cut it down and regret that, so this strategy will be good.
You can see in the pictures, it just wants a dart at the shoulder. I think it elongates that nice diagonal line that the waist darts have, so it's a good modification.
One last picture before I go. The pretty back!
It'll look even better when I have the bustle situation worked out.