While my ratafia recipe isn’t quite the same as the one used at the famous Pot and Pineapple confectionary shop on Berkeley Square, there must be some of the magic of that noted shop in it, as the reviews from the many friends I have tested these on say they are so good that a nightingale will indeed sing as you eat them!

It’s the absolute best part of a pattern launch: time to show off the tester makes! Pattern testers are super fabulous from our end, because they help us ensure we deliver you the best possible pattern.  They ask about instructions that are confusing.  They provide feedback on the fit on a whole range of bodies.  Based on their input we’re able to smooth off any final rough corners, and adjust the fit to make sure it will work for as many people as possible straight out of the packet – and that we have good fit and alteration guidance for when it doesn’t. Pattern testers are super fabulous for you because their photos show what the pattern looks like styled in a whole range of different ways, on a whole range of bodies, in different fabrics.  There are always testers who do gorgeous things with the pattern that never even occurred to me!  So inspirational! So we are so very, very grateful to the people who are willing to pattern test, because their input …

UPDATE:  Thank you to all who applied!  Applications to test the pattern are now closed. Amber of Virgil’s Fine Goods and I are adding to the Scroop + Virgil’s Fine Goods Pattern offerings, and have another exciting 18th century pattern almost finished!   We’re looking for testers to help us check the final fit and instruction details. If you’d like to be one of them, keep reading to learn more, and how to apply! This testing round will run Sat 11 Nov-Wed 3 Jan, with a check in midway.  We know that’s a very busy time of year for some people, but a very slow time for others (Leimomi waves hi!).  Please consider how busy this time of year is for you before you apply: there will be other patterns to test, and we’d hate for this to be another stressor at what is already a stressful time for some! The Pattern: Our Augusta Stays pattern has been wildly popular, and we get requests for another stays pattern all the time.  The things most …