Aaaargh! Pressed my jacket shoulder seams. Stood back to admire the beauty ...... and realised that I had sewn the outsides to the insides, and it's black tweedy fabric!
Nothing to do, but unpick and try again. Bother, Grump, Mumble.

Thank you for letting me get that off my chest.

Clare

I have just found 8 long zips and 2 shorter ones, all with metal teeth - silvery - and on cotton tapes in various colours, some pale pastels. The zip pulls are nothing special, but you can replace those or disguise them. They might even take some dye colour. One of the shorter ones has a 'Winfield' label. Wasn't that Woolworth's? It cost 29p. I cannot believe that I am ever going to use them.

If you would like to give me you address I shall be very glad to send them to you for experimental dying purposes.

Clare.

Even if you are not 'into' patchwork, do take a glance at this:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/w3cswf9g

I just happened to turn on  the radio as the presenter said, go to the web page and see the detail in person. It's brilliant, you can enlarge the picture to see every stitch and the tiny descriptions of ordinary people at the time.

Such a beautiful and intriguing item and a very entertaining programme.

Not that I should be tempting you, but I succumbed to temptation in JL, today. Kingston branch has quite a few useful discounted fabrics, useful and pretty ones, not just weirdo's.

Sorry, I have beaten you to the last 2.20. metres of Robert Kaufman, Black Super Stretch Denim. It was reduced from £12.p.m. odd to £6. p.m. Curiously enough, I had been looking for a UK source online, last night without success. They had some non-stretch left and some nice jacket and blouse weight stuff.

They also had craft kits, such as the  Prym Espadrilles at half price, knitting books, Bag handles, etc.

Worth a gander if you are in Kingston. Just saying....

Thank you, everyone.  I take you point about the back stretching more, Holly Berry.

I must do some experimenting.

Clare.

Hi Folks,

I am puzzled about why stabilising tape is attached to the back bodice piece.

Here is an excerpt from the Grainline Studio Lark Tee instructions:
" •....You can stabilise the shoulder seams to prevent them from stretching out over time by ironing on a strip of seam tape interfacing. This goes on the wrong side of your fabric, on the back bodice, within the seam allowance but extending over where the seam will be sewn."

If you press the shoulder seam to the back, doesn't this make it more bulky? Often I'll top stitch it too, so more bulk.

I generally attach it to the seam allowance of the front pattern piece, so that it lays to the back.

Many thanks for your thoughts,

Clare