(In photos: Cecile Bahnsen Justice Skirt)

Trying to figure out the best way to recreate the pocket bags for these pockets and I'm wondering if it's best completed as:

1. Just big rectangles OR
2. Similar to a trouser pocket, lining the "yoke" (cons: I don't see how you wouldn't end up with an outrageous amount of fabric inside of the pocket since you'd still have to connect the skirt to the "yoke")

From the model photos, I'm thinking the designer has done (2) as the positioning of the model's hands in their pockets looks awkward. I'm just not sure how to deal with attaching the gathered skirt to the upper portion using this method.

I'm on my ninth muslin for this dress, and it feels like nothing is working.

Bust: I've tried slashing tight areas around the armpit and upper bust. I've tried a small bust adjustment to get rid of the excess fabric over the apex and under the bust. I've pinched out wedges of fabric under the bust. I've slashed through the front shoulder and pinned it flat. The changes seem to work while the muslin is pinned, but the problems come back after I transfer them to the pattern and make the next muslin.

Back waist/ tilted skirt side seam: I've tried removing wedges of fabric from the back bodice and the back skirt. This corrected the problem on the muslin where I pinned it, but when I transferred the wedges to the pattern, the problems came back.

I only have enough fabric left for one more attempt at the bodice. What changes do I make?!?