Tulle helps pick skirts up though, and I see LLL's skirt does go inwards in a few areas

Well.. it's not that tricky and you've done so well on those dolls! And one doesn't need to fiddle that much with patterns if one has a dress form and if one uses existing own clothes as sketch/pattern help and so. As I got a dress form and it was a huge help, but well, my Duchess Ravenwaves costume project hopefully will be done this year, as there has been so much other I've had to deal with first. I made it a two piece too, much easier getting in and out of it, considering the volumous skirts and the tight top bit. So it'd really be petticoat(s) + skirt + overskirt attached to top (covers the two pieceness up). I recommend you start with getting a petticoat or two (or more!) and then take it from there starting with the skirt bit and then the top or vice versa, as you need to make sure they fit together well. I have two petticoats underneath the DR outfit right now (one smaller and one larger), but I'm thinking I might have to get another one still. I'll try and see if I can find some pics to post later.

At least start sketching losely on an own dress, as you never know.. maybe you have a relative that wouldn't mind helping you with the sewing?
Halloween is soon upon us too.. and in October there's the LLL 20th anniversary..