In this week’s session, I started by sharing about my recent family trip to Yosemite National Park and my experience with COVID-19. I then moved on to answering various questions from members about their ongoing projects, including jacket closures, sleeve drafting, and dress form padding. The session was more of a casual catch-up and Q&A rather than a structured teaching demonstration.

Questions & Answers:

• Q: What closure would you suggest for ‘Amanda’ jacket project?
• A: For a fitted version with a narrow shawl collar, you could use hidden buttons or hook-and-eye closures. Avoid zippers as they wouldn’t look appropriate for this style.

• Q: What are the dimensions of silk pins?
• A: The silk pins I use are 0.5 millimeters in diameter. Make sure they’re stainless steel for durability.

• Q: How can I pad my dress form to match my straight shoulders?
• A: When padding the shoulders, make sure to check measurements from shoulder point to waist, armhole depth, and apex to ensure the overall proportions still match your body.

• Q: I’m having issues with my sleeve draft. What should I do?
• A: Double-check your measurements, especially around the wrist and elbow. Make sure the sleeve hangs straight and isn’t too tight in any area.

• Q: Should I add Hong Kong seam binding to my jacket sleeves?
• A: If your fabric is thick or doesn’t fray, you can skip the binding for the armhole seam. Consider using an overlock stitch if fraying is an issue.

I also previewed our upcoming projects, including a new dress pattern starting next Friday and an upcoming masterclass announcement. I encouraged everyone to keep practicing and modifying their patterns to suit their individual needs and body shapes.