Lack of knowledge, expertise and planning are my nemeses, and cause endless delays, doubt and paralysis in my sewing room.
Case in point: this lace tunic.
I made the sleeves first, and bound the seam allowances in bias silk (the same fabric of the tunic lining, which will hang separately from the lace itself, attached only at the neckline and armscyes). 
But after doing my invisible bust darts yesterday, I’m at a crossroads of decision. Here’s the left bust dart: 
Did you find it?
And the right bust dart:
…slightly more obvious.
They’re only ‘mezzo couture’, but the ‘invisibleness’ of them is making me rethink the rest of the seams on this garment. I have enough scraps left of the lace that it would be feasible to make every seam invisible: shoulders seams, side seams and the sleeve under seams. If I really wanted to go crazy, I suppose I could attempt to make the armscye seams invisible, too.
So instead of the shoulder seams above, I’d have invisible seams. In retrospect, why didn’t I cut it out without shoulder seams? The seams are bugging me now, but do I want to give myself the extra work? Would it make me like the finished garment more? Would I be happy to wear it if I don’t make the seams invisible, knowing that I could have should have maybe wished I had?
Or is this trying to make ‘mezzo couture’ into ‘alta moda’ and should I even bother with the attempt?
Mezzo Couture 
Do what makes you happy. That might be spending time in lots of invisibleness (I know that’s not a real word) , or making a good job of this and moving on. I’m sure whatever you decide it will look great anyway 🙂
You did a superb job on those bust darts! If I were in your shoes I would leave the sleeves as they are with that pretty binding, and focus on the side seams.
My main question would be: why? Is this intended to be a once in a lifetime garment for an earth-shattering event? Will you be wearing this to collect your Nobel prize (or personal equivalent 😉) ? Is it your favorite ever color, does it fit you divinely, will you love it so much you’ll wear it 3 times a week for the next 10 years? Is the intent just to have a long leisurely time with a needle, or would having something to wear eventually be a consideration at some point? Is it worth giving up all other sewing for months?
These are good questions! And they made me laugh, they are so apropos!
Is it the angle of the photo, but I’m not seeing the right bust dart either. ?? I do see the shoulder seams. 🙂 But maybe that’s your answer … what do people really see, especially when they’re not truly looking for a seam? Still, it’s your creation so you need to do what makes YOU feel happiest about it. I think it will be stunning whichever path you choose.
Yay! If you can’t see the darts, then I did my sewing job properly! Woo hoo! I confess to be leaning towards the invisible seam treatment, since I like hand sewing, and slow sewing always makes me happy…..
You said you didn’t have experience with all of these techniques so I would recommend finishing this one and plotting the next with all the bells and whistles. Love the color and the progress you have made so far.
Hi Tia, I think that you should consider who will see the seams… People will focus on the global appearence, the general fit, and that’s it. The complex design of the lace will blur the ‘ugly’ details. Just check the fit with and without darts : if you feel that there is too much fabric rework the side seam only. I have bought such a lace dress and it fits well without darts.
Be cool and make it simple !
Lovely work!!
Hmm… I am not the one to ask given how easily my resolve dissolves and/or perfectionism results in long periods of stalling. That said, I think you really want to go whole hog and make the seams invisible. Maybe sit on it for a day or two and then proceed?