Hello Mary, how's it going? Basting just means using a tacking stitch to hold it in place before you machine the seam. Skipping doing that is very tempting , and I used to do it lots, but is very worthwhile, especially when new to this game and saves time overall as you don't have to unpick bits that have gone wrong! Also you can try it on DD to see if you need to adjust anything as pins are just not friendly!!
Have you put in a zip before and does the pattern explain how to do it? I think MissP posted a good link to putting in zips....... I'll go see if I can find it x

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Grocery challenge:
Sept: £!02.39/£100
Oct: so far £55.08

I loved Clothkits Ellie. I made youngest DD some gorgeous things with their kits and still have most of them as she didn't want to part with them. They used to have little extras like little stuffed animals which would go in the pockets etc.I also made a padded jacket for myself in about 1986 which is now my trusty gardening coat

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Grocery challenge:
Sept: £!02.39/£100
Oct: so far £55.08

Would love to see some of your clothes makes Ladies, that padded Jacket sounds lovely DiyDeb

Ooh almost forgot to go and find this, was so busy trying to catch up with all the other threads!! This is the zip tute if you should need backup Mary.

http://www.twelve22.org/2006/07/zipper_tutorial.html


Ha ha, there's no way I'm showing my frayed, dirty gardening coat Mary, but I will try to find some of my DD's bits and post pics later.

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Grocery challenge:
Sept: £!02.39/£100
Oct: so far £55.08

Love the material....It's gorrrrrrrrrrrgeous

I've had a bit of a rummage and found a few bits, the rest are probably still packed in boxes!

This coat has about six different little stuffed jungle animals to match the coat which fit in the various pockets. I know I have them somewhere, but can't find at present. As you can see this was VERY well worn and very loved.


She also had a similar coat with a farmyard theme in pink/turquoise colours, which I've not found

Here a summer dress, she had a similar one in pale pink too



I

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Grocery challenge:
Sept: £!02.39/£100
Oct: so far £55.08

OOooh I made that jacket Deb in pink with all the animals in the pockets. That brings back memories.

Then I took my own pattern from it and made a navy corduroy jacket that had applique either kites or balloons on the back and across the front panels. They even joined IYSWIM The kites on one side and the tails on the other. I was very clever in them days!!!!!! Did you have the knitted dresses too Deb with matching tights??? Very fetching they were xx

I've got a photo somewhere but wouldn't know how to put it on here xx

Oh yes indeedy she did. Also several pinafore dresses in baby cord printed fabric.

I've just googled and found this......... it seems they're back!
http://www.clothkits.co.uk/

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Grocery challenge:
Sept: £!02.39/£100
Oct: so far £55.08

Oh they don't seem as pretty as they used to be. I think they were taken over at one point so may have lost their designer x