Now, don’t faint – but I made a muslin!  After reading Suzy’s account of how her Lekala #4329 jacket is progressing, and seeing her muslin(s), I decided that it might be worth my while to give one a go as well.  Would you like to see the photos?

Unsurprisingly, my husband’s first comment upon seeing my muslin was “um, you haven’t finished it – you need another sleeve”.  For muslin purposes, I thought that one sleeve would be enough!  I love the two-piece sleeve, and am very happy with the way that it fits.  Sleeve length is also quite good.  The waist is pretty much where it should be, but I have what I now realise is my usual Lekala issue with my waist measurement being evenly distributed around the front and the back of the garment.  I will remove some of the waist ease from the back and add it to the front – a full abdomen adjustment (FAA instead of FBA).  I think its pretty good across the shoulders too.  Other comments and/or suggestions?  This pattern was ordered with increased upper arm width, narrow shoulders, and raised waist, in addition to my other measurements.

Oh, what unflattering photos. Keeping it real.

Now there are eight of us Lekala-alonging to make Jacket #4329.  The task for week one was to measure ourselves, order the pattern, print it, tape it, and cut out the paper pattern pieces.  We also had to decide on what fabric we were going to use.

I have chosen a fairly loosely woven cotton from Darn Cheap Fabrics that has been in my stash for a little while.  It is cross woven with white and red threads, with some metallic silver threads thrown in as well.  It has lots of texture and will ravel terribly but I think that it will have the right sort of drape for my jacket.  The lining fabric is printed cotton voile, also from stash.

So this week it’s all about cutting out.  Both the main fabric, the lining, and the interfacing.

There are eight of us taking part in this sewalong.  Other than myself, there are:

Karen – And So I Sew http://and-so-i-sew.blogspot.com.au/ another Melbournian
Rachel – Four Wise Monkeys http://fourwisemonkeys.blogspot.com.au/ from beautiful Ballarat
Kathryn – Our Shabby Cottage http://ourshabbycottage.blogspot.com.au/ another Ballaratian
Andrea – Fabric Ephiphanies http://fabricepiphanies.blogspot.com.au/ all the way from beautiful New Zealand
Suzy – Suzy Bee Sews http://suzybeesews.blogspot.com.au/ from my husband’s home town of Mt Gambier
Jenny – Jenny Recorder http://jennquick.wordpress.com/ from warm Perth
Ali – Thimberlina http://thimberlina.wordpress.com/ all the way from the UK!

I’m looking forward to seeing where they are up to with their fabric choices!