I really didn't think about this when I bought the fabric, but there's quite a large pattern repeat on this polka dot fabric and so I find myself spending the evening pattern matching for the side panels. I wouldn't be able to live with it if I don't pattern match it, especially as it would be very noticeable on the high hip pocket line. Do I want everyone's eye drawn to this area of my person? No, I most certainly do not!
Here's one advantage of tracing out patterns. To do the matching, I've just taken the side panel pieces, laid them on the centre fronts and backs where they will sit and traced over sufficient dots to allow me to then position the piece so that everything aligns.
Where the side panels are inset, the long edges of the centre front and back are faced to give a sort of flap. Because of the pattern matching, I've decided to face them with plain black ponte to make life a little easier. I've also eliminated both the centre back zip and seam as I'm going to use a stretch lining so there won't be any need for it. I have, however, checked that I can get my head through it without the zip as it's a reasonably high neckline!