I don't like to think when I'm sewing

The thing that I dislike most with making the 18th century riding coat is that I have to think all the time. Normally when I make a period garment I really only have to think during the patterning and cutting process - after that I know what I'm doing and it's just a (reasonably) smooth home stretch. But with new periods and new construction I have to think a lot more, like the f**ing pleating at the sides of the skirts. It's not that I can't do Janet Arnold exegetics, just that I prefer when I don't have to.

Having said that I now feel that I'm getting close to my home stretch: the skirts are sewn to the bocide and now I'm putting in the lining and then I'll pattern the sleeves. That shouldn't be hard, since I already have a pattern for this type of sleeve; I just need to change the cuffs.