Hmmm I think I'm going to like this one ....

BurdaStyle Special Autumn/Winter 2012 #14 muslin

I haven’t found another make of this online, interestingly.  Not sure why at this stage though time will tell I suppose.

I cut a straight 38 and there are a few things that need fixing.  It’s too big particularly across the boobage and a couple of inches too short to the waist.  Really, there’s so much volume that on a windy day I’d be a gonner.  The shoulders seem to fit nicely, however.

So, when I do the next one I’ll :

* cut a size 36 graduating to 38 at the shoulders

* take out some of the ease from the sleeve heads

* drop the waist by 2″ – the red line on my tummy is the waistline mark.

I expect that when I do all that there will still be extra volume in the bust so I’ll have to dick around with the darts a bit.  All good.

I didn’t bother interfacing the collar and very roughly hand stitched it and the top of the front facing down.  They should sit much better when done ‘properly’.

Now on sleeve cap ease, this pattern seems to have rather a lot.  I do recall the Fashion Incubator waxing lyrical about this so I will re-read that and work through removing the need to gather the extra acreage.  Do you find you need to fudge or remove excessive ease often?

Edited to add some useful links re removing (excessive) sleeve cap ease.

Oh and I found some interesting things op (aka thrift) shopping during the week.

Brushed cotton fairies for kid winter PJs, wool blend (I think) and a very interesting book.