My condolences to her family and staff. I did not know her personally, but have been greatly inspired by her work. The sewing/creative community has lost a treasure.

I like most that the designers appear focused on the task at hand and that they are treating this like an incredible professional opportunity. The Skanky backstabbing and other misbehavior is best left in seasons past. This show lets the talent shine and that is refreshing. I'm looking forward to the twists and turns. I do miss Tim Gunn and Heidi was more engaging, but I'm now watching the whole show again. I had gotten into the habit of tuning in to see the challenge then turning back for the show. I even skipped the judging because it appeared to be less about good design and more about other issues. Changing the judges is good.

Sometimes, Threads publishes an article that I will carry around for weeks as I digest the information and absorb the photos. This article is the type of content that sets Threads head and shoulders apart and above the other sewing periodicals available today. Loved it. Examining the inside construction was a treat! The fact that such a high fashion topic also included recycling was pure genius!

I'm looking forward to it.

However, the show would have more credibility for me if the contestants would shut up and sew. It is an opportunity of a lifetime, why are you even concerned about the others in the workroon? Plus, keeping the bad actors (mean spirited, unprofessional) around like they did last year and then rewarding them is short sighted. short term ratings hike but diminishes caliber or show.

Maybe they could do a PR Unplugged. Where they did a "behind the seams" cut of the show for those of us excited about the techniques and the design?

Finally the long draught is over. Something other than decorating, and quilting to watch! I've gotta program the DVR!

Cool idea! I've got a filing cabinet in my sewing studio currently stuffed with batting! I feel a project coming on for this cold Saturday morning!

Really great use of the technique. Placement of the texture is great to add curves. The final result is a really modern twist on an old technique. BRAVO!

Of course we all have opinions! Here are mine!

I love love LOVED Jennifer Hudson's vibrant orange choice. My only misgiving is that the tape could have been used more appropriately across her breasts. The styling was so striking on her lush curves.

Not pictured here, but I thought Halle Berry was flawless, the dress, the luminous skin, the understated jewlery and the chic short cut all worked in perfection.

Hailee Steinfield gets my applause because she was age appropriate (style, color, accessories, hair). The dress she chose was definitely retro, but with the styling and her radiant smile it all looked fresh somehow.

And, Natalie Portman looked wonderful. So glad she didn't choose black. She looked young and fabulous and pregnant.

Sandra Bullock, Gwyneth Paltrow and Reese Witherspoon each looked impeccible. All clearly WORE their dresses, the dresses didn't wear them. They were classy and elegant, but vibrant!

Liked the column of navy sequins that Amy Adams chose. Not so much her hair and jewlery.

Some one said it earlier Marisa Tormei needed foundation garments... and the hair could have been more fitting that type of dramatic gown.

Florence Welch's hair nor dress worked for me. They looked mid seventies Gunny Sacks. And Oprah's dress was ill fitting!

Not sure what Mila Kunis has done (my bad), but the dress she wore was lovely. Would need some filmy lining underneath were I to sport it!

I love old embroidery techniques that been used in modern ways. It keeps the old traditions fresh and makes them relevant for new fans. Like the smocking treatment around the waist of a dress that won one of the challenges for Project Runway. Or tone-on-tone machine embroidery to add interest to the basic white blouse. Or ribbon embroidery adding a surprise detail to a linen lampshade. Or crewel flowers entwined with Grecian key borders along the skirt edge of a suit. Or cross stitch patterns with modern themes or completed in non traditional scale and materials. Wish I had more time. And still drooling over an embroidery machine......

I hope to get some curtains made for my sewing studio and some fun dresses for travel.

Create a Project Runway like series of challenges for Threads editors/contributors... where the garments are for real models. And the text describes the way her fitting challenges were addressed in the challenge.

How to design/construct clothing for young at heart with bigger than D cups that is alluring not trashy or matronly... including work, casual and formal.

Secrets of the designers who specialize in pagent, professional dance, and skating attire. How do they bring out the best for all body types. How do they make daring designs work on moving humans with curves?

Treasure troves of fabric shopping in off the beaten locations (Singapore, Africa for example) and places that are worth a side trip from other US destinations like spas or tourist attractions (other than Washington State and NYC).

Survey of software that is helpful for the sewing studio-- beyond fitting and quilting. Like pattern/fabric organization, computations, etc.

Practical advise for storing fabric. How do the pros do it? What are the lessons learned? Where are the sources? When do you store it on rolls versus folded. Plastic bins? Cardboard boxes? How to make garage storage work. What does a dream storage solution look like? What does a inexpensive solution look like? If there was one thing to invest in for the stash it would be_____?

Using our craft to help someone else: Comprehensive round up of organizations which accept donations of fabrics. How to find them locally. Sewing for charity. It's important that these articles have a diversity of project/locations/resources.

Work harder to have a more diverse set of contributers to the magazine.

Finally, I see folk who agree with me. I lament the fact that Gretchen was rewarded for her churlish, petty behavior. I often found myself wondering what old pattern she was using when looking at her designs-- one in particular I remember as being from Vogue. Throughout the show she was not imaginative. She should not have beat out Michael. I'm disappointed we won't get to see his collection.

Andy really stepped up and offered something fresh from his normal black warrior woman stuff. I think he'll do some great things. I found it ironic he chose the same green that the red headed lady from a couple of shows back used to break up HER black and white pallate.

Mondo was the most consistently creative. And he showed himself to have high integrity when he openly apologized to Michael.

I don't understand why these shows give these folk the opportunity of a lifetime and then reward the ones who squander the opportunity with petty bickering and school yard behavior. Suck it up kids this is your life, and you should treat this opportunity with more professionalism.

If the designs sing, the drama is sooooo unnecessary!

Soooo. Is this an advertisement that this facility is available for rent for outside groups-- if so where is the contact information/prices? Is this the only facility of its type in the US? Is this the only destination sewing location? The article claims it is getting renown... why, by whom? I'm confused about the purpose of this article.

I enjoyed this challenge. Each time they do the design your fabric challenge, it sparks my creative juices. Interestingly, I find the designers do more wearable clothing during this challenge. I thought Mondo's design was the most well designed.

I am realllly ready for Gretchen to leave. Her mean-spirited, negative comments smack of 4th grade "mean girl" behavior. They have no place in a professional competition, where the participants are competiting for the opportunity of a lifetime.

I enjoyed this challenge. I'm okay with Mondo's win. I do agree with a previous post that indicated he's beginning to hit his stride. Clearly I'm missing something with Gretchen's last offering-- maybe you have to see it up close to appreciate the workmanship. IMHO, it was a hot mess, droopy, bland and unfocused. I thought she was on the chopping block for sure. Another yawn is the judge's fascination with dark or bland colors. While I agreed with some of the construction criticism, I thought the color was a refreshing departure from the black, white, taupe, repeat.

Woo hoo! I'll be at work that day, but yea for DVR because I want to see the jacket on! Good luck!

Very chic!

Oh yeah this is fabulous!

Very nicely done.

What Kate W. said! Also, I kinda wish I'd seen it on your with the jeans! I'd have never thought to pair this with jeans. Cool idea.

Thank you for this! I've gleaned several ideas I plan to employ in my own sewing studio. I hope you do some articles on this soon--especially focusing on special storage challenges like thread, notions, scraps,fabric stash.

Anyway here are some of my storage strategies:

* Most of my fabric is in four 34 by 34 cabinets with 9 cubie holes I got at a big box store. Like others, I get inspired by looking at the colors and these allow me to see everything, yet focus on what I'm looking for. Each cubie is loosely categorized. One is full of cotton prints, organized by color. One has fashion fabrics by hand (silky ones in one cubie, dressy fabrics in another, woolens another). Another has a melange of decor, specialty fabrics, etc. And the final one has basics. For delicate fabrics, I got those canvas drawers that slide into the cubies so they won't be damaged by the sun.

* My old college trunk holds a lot of the fabric I inherited from my mom. Shamed to say the rest is in the garage in large plastic bags.

* My cutting table is a solid wood door sitting on top of two of the cabinets above.

* Regular thread spools are organized by type and color into clear lucite cubies that were originally designed to organize office supplies.

* Notions, cone threads, etc. are organized in six sets of plastic drawers I picked up on sale at a box store. They work very well.

* Craft items, assorted tools and other odds and ends are in plastic boxes from the dollar store that were originally designed to house shoes.

* Buttons are organized by color in clear jars from Ikea. These jars were originally designed for spices.

* All of my books and magazines are in two bookcases from the local box store.

* Fabric still on the rolls is standing on it's end inside an old clothes hamper.

* Scraps are gathered by color into old hat boxes or in clear vacuum "space" bags-- which are kind of cool cause they don't take a lot of space and you can see whats there before you open up the bag.

* Articles I've clipped from other magazines (my Threads are all in tact); are neatly organized by category into those magnetic photo albums that are horrible for photos, but perfect for clippings!

* My cutting board is a 30 X 80 solid wood door covered with cutting mats and resting on top of the cabinets described above.

* Three bulletin boards hold odd notions (like embroidery hoops), inspriation clippings, a floor plan of the room, and swatches from current projects.

Now, why isn't the room neat and tidy?

Like others I thought the color blocked dress was the most interesting twist on the original dress. In my judgement, the winner was a close second to that one. I thought Chris C.'s dress was much more interesting than his peers indicated and I applaud him for addressing Ivy's accusation in front of everyone. Showed real character.

However, I didn't think the pink and black dress was as bad as they said-- I think they penalized him for the original dress and the size of his model (though I didn't think it should win either).

I think Casanova's outfit was also interesting... and a much classier place than he could have gone (given his first couple of presentations). However he certainly requires a lot of energy.

I'm hoping Gretchen DOESN'T make it to the top 3. I'm so sick of these reality shows rewarding bad behavior. She was a mean-spirited tyrant in the group challenge and she continues with her nasty critiques of her fellow designers. This bitchy 9th grade pettiness is old and gets in the way of the real star of the show: the miracles they perform in such a short timeframe. Personally, I'm enjoying the fact that they are beginning to show more of the fits and starts in the design process.

I wish they'd nip the school room hostilities in the bud and I applaude Tim for calling Gretchen out about it. I long for the day that civility reigns again-- this is afterall for THEM a professional opportunity of a lifetime. Nothing she's put down the runway, IMHO trumps her negativity in the workroom.

IMHO they got it wrong. I'm so over the edgy black look targeted at twenty-somethings. Yawn. I will be glad when the fashion industry looks towards more sophisticated, chic clothes that are flattering on the female form and dare to embrace color.

So Emilio was my choice. Seth Aaron was second. Mila was a distant third... not because I didn't like her clothing but that black/white/gray was a snoozer.

I am enjoying all of the fun you are having with that jacket. This is tres chic

Precious! I like th slip underneath and the excellent workmanship.

I'm a PRE-STARTER! I get inspired, I get the items to complete the project and can never seem to get the time to start the projects.

Now if there is a deadline? I can whip it out quickly, I'm always pulling a rabbit out of a hat. Easter morning I did 8 new cushions before a 1 PM deadline just so we'd have somewhere to sit on the deck for Easter Dinner.

Though I've never had the opportunity to take a live class, I absolutely loved the sewing show on cable. In fact I'd recorded several of the shows and was quite upset when I lost them. He is personable and gracious. And, he has impeccable skills!

I'm not sure how Mila survived this round. The dress was poorly executed and the model could not walk in it. And the print was unimaginative. I did like Maya's fabric... wasn't crazy about the dress but it wasn't offensive either. I was sorry to see Anthony leave so soon.

I am enjoying the season.

your judicious use of chocolate gives this dress an extra pop. Very subtle but very effective!

so very pretty!

Simply elegant!

The Mode in Costume, by R. Turner Wilcox (1958). It was a textbook for my mother's class many years ago. It's all line drawings, but I find it is great for ferreting out forgotten details and proportions.

The September and October issues of the fashion magazines (Vogue, InStyle, Harper's Bazaar, and Town and Country). Excellent resources for learning the little details that update the basics to this season's whims. And the Oscar, AMA, and Emmy versions of InStyle for party clothes.

Fashion Runway on Wealth TV.

I thought this season of PR was good in the sense that some sort of decorum has returned to the workroom. In previous seasons, I thought some of the antics of the "personalities" glorified bad behavior and mean spiritedness. And that hystrionics in some cases triumphed interesting design. I'm glad that at least one of the reality shows seems to be taking a stand for professional behavior. Some times I've wanted to shout: STOP WHINING. YOU'VE BEEN GIVEN AN INCREDIBLE OPPORTUNITY. SHUT UP AND DESIGN!

That being said, I think it's time to mix up the judges again. THEY are very antiseptic in their approach and so they lean towards the very mundane. The designers in the end reflect that asthetic. Maybe if they were more animated-- or more diverse in their perspective, the designers would reflect a more interesting design sensibility. Even some of the guest celebrities that have been selected have not been "style icons" more the have good stylists.

I made a friend's wedding dress and saved the left over silk and lace. when her daughter was born I made a dress and then a yoked Christening "vest-gown" out of the left over silk. After the ceremony, her daughter spent the rest of the day going lap to lap, and her gown was preserved.

This seams like a great skill to learn, and a perfect addition to a linen dress for a summer wedding! See? I've already got a project in mind. Hurry!

Ms. Neukam, I share the other's applause for your efforts to revive the tradition of the back cover.

wonderful!and a unique treatment!

Simple, subtle, super!

WOW! very eyecatching!

oh my gracious! I like the new version! You were so tiny back then.... not that it didn't look good then. But, it is really flattering now and it looks fresh.

Sewsister is right: EXQUISITE!

Well worth every hand stitched inch.

A lovely tribute! A loving tribute

VERY nice. I like this one a lot. I wear suits every day at work and I'm liking this a lot. The bound button holes and the trim make it extra special.

Very nice! It's like an early breath of spring air! Very pretty! I like the way it's got vintage lines but is interpreted in an entirely modern way.

I agree with our other sisters in sewing! great project. great results. great wardrobe!

Your coat is very pretty. Just a comment on the practicality of length. I have a beautiful wool duster that is full length. I'm taller than you, and the coat is about 2 inches off the floor. Though I love the coat, I now only wear it to formal events once or twice a year (for many years the brides at my church used it to get into the church during inclement weather). But it wasn't good for normal wear because even with heels it really was too long. The hem stayed filthy and it would get caught in everything: car doors, metro escalators, etc. And, when I am walking in the snow it dragged along the surface. So maybe your inclination to shorten wasn't far off.

Nicely done. The lessons learned were well worth it! The seersucker actually enhances the vintage look in my mind, but with a fresh eye. thank you for sharing.

The smiles tell the story!

fun way to go green!

That dress is HOTTTTT! Oh wow! Provocative but classy. You could really wreck some nerves in this... slowly. and this could make for a very memorable evening. Just getting dressed in it... the whole process. Taking the bath, perfuming the skin, the right undergarments, beautiful jewels, STOCKINGS, this dress calls for stockings, and a perfectly improbable heel. OH what a joy to be a woman, fully growed!

Wonderful! I am working at the General Assembly, where all we lobbysts share a common closet. Seems like all the women have black wool coats... wish I had thought to embellish mine before session. You can bet I'll take time to do it before next year's session! Thanks for the great example... your embellishments combine to look at once cheerful and sophisticated.

beautiful!

Very well done! I like the fact that you took time to find both a color and a style that was flattering to all, and not too risque for a sacred ceremony!

At last a young designer who knows how to do PRETTY dresses. So many of our young talents try so hard to be "edgy," it's as if the art of making pretty,flattering, make-you-feel-special-and-glad-you're-a-woman clothes is getting lost. I echo the compliments of the others and applaud you for daring to buck the trend! I assume the textile treatments are yours, and I also applaud your delicate restraint! The fabrics look so delicate and ethereal I want to reach through the monitor and touch them. I bet they float when your models move! The result: beautiful! I also echo the others in encouraging you to post more!

Work it out girlfriend! The dolls are great! They made me smile!

What fun!!!!

What fun!!!!

Though all three dresses are nicely done, I like your dress best of all. It was flattering and the workmanship was scrumptious.

EXQUISITE!

beautiful!