Well, I did try to add links to the previous post, but WordPress is obviously having some “issues” and won’t let me edit it at all!  My apologies – when the bug is fixed, I’ll have another try.

I finished the jacket to go with Miss Clare’s skirt. 

The pink button that Jodie sent me was the perfect closure!  Thanks again!

This is the whole outfit:

and when I get a photo of Miss Clare wearing it, I’ll update this post.  It was quick to sew, but certainly isn’t quite perfect – don’t look too closely!  I’m still getting the hang of using the overlocker, and I don’t really like the slipperiness (is that a word?) of lining fabrics, but with corduroy, the jacket needed to be lined.  The pattern didn’t include a lining, so I had to come up with that part myself. 

On another topic, I’ve had a good read through the bag patterns that I recently received.  I have decided that there are a few things that I wish all pattern makers would do that would simplify my life a little and save me some time:

* include all pattern pieces with the pattern and not only provide measurements for square or rectangular pieces – then I don’t have to trace them or measure them out, it will save me time and tracing materials, and I can get into the fun part (cutting out) much sooner

* include diagrams along the way, not just written instructions – I like to visualise what I am doing when I sew

* include some photos if diagrams are difficult to do (I don’t know if they are, I’m a sewer and not a designer or pattern-maker)

I am really looking forward to making a start on the patterns I’ve bought and at this stage I’m quite pleased with them, but it’s going to take me longer to get started than I thought by the time I measure out and trace pattern pieces and re-read the instructions.  And baby bump is due in three and a half weeks time!

So kudos goes to Nicole Mallalieu Design  – yes, she is a friend, but her bag patterns include all the above features, along with lots of options for variation.  Thanks Nikki!