I think it is a wonderful idea to learn how to make an apron as your first project. The apron is useful and it will remind you of how well you made your first project. TEACH YOURSELF TO SEW is a great series for beginners and those who wish to brush up on sewing skills. I kept my apron that I made in the eighth grade for years and passed it on to my grandchild when I was teaching her to sew. She still has it.

Oophs! I was telling what I was making for my family. MY WISH is to own a copy of Kenneth King's book, "The Handbook of Couture Sewing Techniques". I own other books by him. They are all so easy to read.

My sewing gifts are: monogramed lined shoe bags and lingere bags for traveling, aprons for my family cooks, monogramed pillow cases with scalloped edges. To shorten the time, I embroidered readymade pillow cases. I have just about finished them for mailing to each family.

I have studied fashion design. As a senior, I still sew and change commercial pattern designs to fit my needs. Sewing is very important to a fashion designer. After drawing the design on paper, you need to know exactly how many pleats will fit the body or where exactly the darts fit the body. A small version of the design made up in muslin using half measurements of the body will enable you to make any adjustments. Seeing your design sewn up in your favorite fabric is quite rewarding.

Glad to hear about Jan Bones. Never heard of her. I'll be looking for her comfort lingerie patterns. I have been using Martha Pullen's comfort lingerie patterns. They work for me. Also I have been using ideas from Karen Morris' book, SEWING LINGERIE THAT FITS.

I would love to have a 2011 DVD to keep and use. My issues start with #8. I have never seen #1. It would be wonderful to have all issues in one place. My storage in the boxes are overstuffed with issues and it certainly would save space and be accessible when I need to find an article.

My daughter is planning Christmas for a friend with two cildren 6 and 10. She will do the decorations, trim the tree and make goodies for them. I will make stockings for all of them, children and adults. I will personalize each stocking and fill it with needy items. The family will spend Christmas Eve and leave on Christmas Day after dinner. I would like to own a copy of Quick to Sew items. I'm always looking for new ideas. Seniors like me are happy to make things to give away.

What I like most about Valentino designs is his consistent color of red and his off the shoulder and one shoulder gowns. I like the idea of him standing in the photo with his models and that lets me know he is proud of the design that he made especially for her. Valentino is a great designer. My customers have chosen his designs from Vogue Patterns for me to make many times. Red is my favorite color for any apparel I'm wearing.

We often share food dishes or sandwiches at sewing get- togethers. Our rule is to eat first, discuss food or sewing ideas before we start sewing. Our second rule is no food allowed in the sewing areas because of stains, food odors and spillage. We have a good time chatting.

I am truly a Claire Shaeffer fan. I have two of her books: "High-Fashion Sewing Secrets" and "Couture Sewing Techniques." I find her step-by-step instructions helpful and my garments always turn out great. I would like to have the updated book of "Couture Sewing Techniques". I am sure I will find a new way to make buttonholes and pockets or learn to apply a new couture technique for making pants and skirts that fit.

I am definitely a Singer sewing machine fan.In the early thirties our sewing machine was a real workhorse because Momma was a seamstress and Daddy was a tailor. Momma used the machine in the day to make clothes for us and her customers. She would cut out her patterns at night; on the other hand Daddy would cut out his tailoring projects in the morning and sew at night. The poor sewing machine was used everyday except Sunday. Even though it was a treadle machine that sewed only straight stitch, it was a money maker for our large family. My daughter still have the fancy Singer sewing machine with the slant needle in a desk she purchased in the seventies. I am glad they modernized the machine because I don't think I would be able to continue use it much since I am a senior past seventy.

My Home Economic teacher taught me the basics of sewing when we had to make an apron before we could learn to cook. I became an expert at taking seams out but it taught me how to make them straight and curved. My mother was a dressmaker and my father was a tailor. Our home Singer was quite busy so my sewing machine at school was my best friend.

I would like to see the rich colors of late summer in pants and skirts coordinated with overdyed prints for blouses this fall. I would also like to see lively, fun colors in rainwear to help ease the dreary days of the rainy season. The Fall issue of Sewstylish magazine would be a geat place to inspire me to sew after taking off for summer.

I reviewed the designers before Season 9 and can't wait for it to start. I am a big fan of young and upcoming designers. After looking at the closet tours and reading about the designers, I chose Laura Kathleen. She designs the style of clothing I like. The Marilyn Monroe style is a good choice for her clothes. I think she will be a standout from the start.

Kenneth King is awesome! I have watched him for years on TV. His new book, "Cool Couture" is a wonderful hands on book that teaches you how to make ordinary clothes extraordinary. I have an expensive jacket I have refused to throw away although it is outdated. I plan to try Keneth's method to make a vest and I am sure I will enjoy wearing it.

I do plan to watch Project Runway just as I have years before. I like to see the way the designers are chosen. They showed it on one program but I haven't seen it again. It helps me stay with the designer and watch him/her grow on the show.

I wrap my UFOs in tissue paper with the pattern and place them in an unused luggage. Sometimes they do sit around for a long time but I do revisit the luggage from time to time when I have a need for a specific garment. I recently finshed a culotte skirt, a pair of shorts and top and a jacket. I didn't finish the culotte skirt as I had original planned, I added appliques to it and a sleeveless sweater to make a set. I did finish the shorts and top as planned. I lengthened the jacket so I could wear an overblouse underneath it. I may spend a week cutting out garments. I never sew the day I cut. This gives me a chance to really decide if I want to continue; give up for good, make something altogether different or give the fabric away. At some point, I have done all four.

I'll be looking forward to seeing "It's Sew Easy" show. My Channel Guide book does not show a listing for the show on June 30 but our local PBS station may still show it. Listings in the book doesn't always carry our programs in Nashville, TN so I rely on the TV guide channel to let me know what's playing at the time.

I tend to wear colors that are more flattering to my skin type. Honeysuckle, emberglow. and nougat are colors that would fade in my skin color. I like yellow but it needs to be darker. Colors do affect my moods. I feel more vibrant in a red dress. I am a true primary color person, don't like colors mixed with black like burgundy. I do like pastels though.

I'll be watching Project Runway this season as always. That is one show I look forward to seeing because the creativity is new and the inspiration is what keeps me sewing and designing new garments for myself. I am glad the show will have a spinoff of accessories. Some times I think will that belt or purse go with that style of dress? I'll be watching for the new show.

My favorite designer is Marcy Tilton. She designs high-fashion garments that are eloquent and perfect for my lifestyle. She inspires me to make one of a kind garments and handbags. Her Parisian looks are transferred into wearable art designs. I would like to travel to Paris someday and visit all of the places she writes about in her blog. She continues to pass her creative techniques on to others in her workshops.

I would like to learn more about Claire Shaeffer. I own two of her books. Aside from learning how to draft a pattern for a tie collar, I have learned to make simple embellishments to upgrade garments I already have in my closet. I have used her double binding method many times just to change the neckline look of a garment. I hope to see an interview with her in Threads in the future.

I will be learning how to do SASHIKO quilting this Spring. I want to make some different shaped small handbags to either match or contrast with my outfits.

I have copies of original fashion pages from 1913 to 1937 from Delineator, McCall and Butterick magazines. They are great for fashion design students, vintage pattern makers, or just to browse through. I use them to draft patterns for my 22" fashion doll. You can email me at jbdean3@yahoo.com if you are interested but be sure to put 416 in the subject line.

Thank you for the reviewa on HARROCKSES FASHIONS OF THE '40S AND '50S. I am currently designing vintage clothes for my daughter's fashion dolls in her private collection. I am also writing a Memoir. Winning HARROCKSES FASHION book would give me great inspiration to use for both projects since I am a senior(80) and remember those beautiful, flirty fashions of that era.

I am most thankful to continue sewing in my late seventies even after cataract surgery on both eyes. I have a large collection of THREAD magazines that I keep handy as my references for learning new and creative ways to make my sewing projects look professional.