Mock up made

[totchipanda]

I finished adding seam allowances to the pattern and traced off a new copy, cut it out and made a mock-up. I need to read the book again, because I don't know that I should have added seam allowances O_O The measurements I used were a bit smaller than the ones I should have (I was in between sizes, and since the reduction was only 2-5cm, I went down to next-smallest size) but otherwise followed the directions faithfully. I left a 2" gap at the back (left closed with the fold of the fabric, so I could try it on with a separating zipper) and stitched it up, and it closed around my body easily, with not even a hint of compression. I calculated up my seams (3", not including the gap) and was able to pinch the fabric at least that much. So I stitched the back up 2" and folded in my front 1". It's got a good amount of compression now, not too much, and the waist hits me right on my waist. Aside from being too large, it seems really good! Back to reading the book :)

Edit: read the book, and seam allowances were NOT included*. So my first mock-up ended up with backs "touching", and only half an inch of reduction, which just felt like... wearing a snug t-shirt. My brain isn't really firing on all synapses right now, so I will ponder this conundrum and decide what to do tomorrow.

*The "usual" allowances were given as 5cm (2") on CF and CB, and 2.5cm (1") on other seams. That is a RIDICULOUS amount of allowance.