Sew Slow.

It's still driving me crazy that I am unable to sew faster. Monday night, I spent two-and-a-half hours finishing my raw edges. I don't have a serger, so I zig-zag. However, I'm not convinced improved equipment would improve my efficiency. I was perturbed that such a time-gouge left me with, essentially, zero forward momentum. Frustrated, I walked away before things got sloppy.

Tuesday night, I assembled my bodice lining and bodice with ease. I then stared, repositioned, and yelled at my neckline facing for not matching-up with the neckline of my dress.  This continued for a lengthy amount of time before I went back to my pattern pieces and discovered that there are TWO neckline cutting options. And, only one, not the one I cut, corresponds with the facing. While I was relieved to discover that I was not completely inept, the whole process was draining. I, again, put the shears down and walked away before I did anything stupid and irreversible. 

Last night, hoping for a "third time charm" I put my game-face on and went back in for another round. I didn't exactly breeze through, but I did complete and attach my skirt. It wasn't nearly as bad as I feared. The blousing throughout the bodice is achieved by gathering and easing the top to the bottom... which is basically just the opposite of normal gathered skirt construction... There is an "inside belt" but I'm not sure it's really a necessary addition. It basically serves to pull the waist of the dress together at the back before zipping. I'm sure it will reduce zipper strain; otherwise, it's pointless. 

I'm merely a zipper, a belt and a bow away from slaying this beast. But, tonight, I rest.

Am I completely delusional for thinking this process should be quicker? Simple addition shows that the ~7hrs I've spent working on this dress are far fewer   than I spend finishing a knit sweater (~40hrs). Based on that comparison, sewing is quick. Maybe it's all the hiccups I'm encountering, rather than the time I'm spending, that makes it seem more...  more. Is this just a phase I must transition through in order to earn my stripes? 

Any thoughts on the subject would be appreciated.