A year ago, I gave my daughter two of my elegant work jackets: black and navy. Poor as a church mouse, Claire was starting her career at a medical center in Seattle.

Store jackets have too much frippery. Decided to sew a black jacket.

I didn't know they made "no-wale" corduroy! It's soft with a light shimmer. Cotton with spandex. The stretch makes it comfortable. Usually I don't like corduroy. But this is elegant and unique.

First, washed and dried the fabric. I cut out everything with vertical lines and the nap going down. I am exacting when cutting. Everything flows from there.

Torture- With red thread, marked 10,000 circles on both sides of the fabric to show where pieces fit together. Skipping this step has been problematic in the past. So, I pressed on.

Decided to ditch the patch pockets. I cut them out anyway (in case the jacket looks bare). Making a buttonhole will be interesting.

In kindergarten, Claire made the basket pin-holder as a Mother's Day gift. I love it.

As a kid, she loved patting down the pins. "Claire!" I said, laughing. "That's not helpful."