I'm going to make Simplicity 3823 halter-top dress in this tropical-print Kaufmann cotton poplin.
I made a muslin in a batik cotton, and decided to line & alter it to be wearable. I added some cotton batting to pad the cups. I cut & nested a few ovals of decreasing size, stitched them to a backing. I sandwiched them between the lining and outer layer, and basted to the lining side. My lining is the same batik, and I did add the boning to the bodice back and side. Finally, I added a small peplum below the waistband so that it is not a crop-top.
I still need to put in a closure, and hem the bottom. The pattern calls for a lapped zipper, sewn in over the lining and outer fabric together. This always seems so messy to me - why not try to nest the zipper inside the lining if you can? I'm considering other closure options (perhaps a button band?)
I did a small bust adjustment by removing fabric from the back panels - sounds strange, but it worked well, and I have excellent coverage in the front. Here is an image of where I marked the new seam-line:
