Strawberry Pockets

Progress is coming along slowly on Ava's coat. The pieces are all cut and the stay stitching is done. I would have been further along except for the fact that I spent three hours deciding how I would do the pockets!

The original pattern called for an unlined pocket, turned inwards, with a strip of ribbon across the front. I played around with pocket piece and ribbon. Finally I decided to line the pocket and flip the lining forward so it shows on the outside of the coat. I really don't think I have constructed this in the most effective way, but I am happy.

First I sewed the pocket to the lining, right sides together, then used pinking shears around the edge.

Next I turned the pocket round the right way and *tried* to smooth out the rounded corners

Then I folded the facing allowance forward and edge stitched it down. It does look straighter than this...

I was going to put the pockets on the coat (they will be edge stitched down) before I posted, but when I went to double check that I had the pocket placement right with the pattern, I realised that I had done something really strange when cutting out the front piece. It seems to be a size 3 in some places and a size 8 in others. No idea how it happened, must remember to mix more water with my gin (joking!)

Fun New Things

Okay, so I haven't been doing a whole lot of sewing/posting lately. But that hasn't stopped me from buying sewing related things.

I finally found some strawberry buttons for Ava's Coat

And some strawberry fabric for the lining

I got a new pattern to make a top for Mixie

I got a new overlocker/serger!! So excited, it was $200 off, how could I resist? I used this to sew the majority of the seams on the top I made yesterday.

And I got this book for a price I was willing to pay. I have read it through and can't wait to start actually drafting. But I managed to lose my French Curve when I was cleaning up, so I need to find that first!

Some other things I got were:

• A second copy of the Reader's Digest Complete Guide to Sewing (awesome book)
• A Yo-yo maker
• Lots of fabric
• Threads magazines
• Stitches magazines (second hand)
• Top Kids Magazines (second hand)