How have you got on Fran with the drafted knickers? It kind of makes sense using the ironing board so I might give that a go with some scraps and see how I get on. Thanks
I haven't actually done it with knickers (yet), but I have done it with a dress (princess seam bodice, sleeveless, full skirt) and it came out great.
The advice I was given in the class is to constantly measure everything as you do it. So once you've got your draft on paper you can keep testing it out by comparing the measurements to the original garment. E.g when I did the princess side panel I found that the curve was about 2cm too short for the corresponding central bodice piece so I drew the curve a lot wider and managed to get the extra 2cm so the pieces went together.
I do have another pair of knickers that I'll be doing a draft from, but they're a bit more simple as they have lace bands round the bottom and just a rectangle of jersey on the top.