I do couching on some of my art dolls and I enjoy embellishing with both hand and machine stitching, but I'd certainly like to learn more techniques. I'm a neophyte.

Am I the only person to note the real problem with Marisa Tomei's dress? It was 1950's vintage (not a repro) but clearly she was NOT wearing vintage underwear. They used to be called foundation garments for a reason. If she had a proper long line strapless bra, it would have fit right at the bust line instead of her bosom being just a tad too low at the bust point.

I don't agree about Tilda Swinton's dress. Certainly she is not a glamor queen, but she does have a strong persona and her own individual style. I liked that her garments were very simple. They did look boxy especially at the waist, but that is her - she plays up her own androgenous look and is hardly a bombshell type. What I liked about her blouse and skirt was the evidently expensive high quality of the fabric - sleek and a beautiful sheen on what looked like white and pale yellow silks, especially on camera. I thought there was a beauty in the quality of the tailoring also. But not for every actress, that's for sure!
Someone who looked good when I saw her being interviewed was Selena Gomez - she's young of course, but she looked cute and appropriate in her formal gown.
I didn't care for Natalie Portman's dress, mainly because I thought it looked like a sarong tied and then a rose pinned to the neckline - I mean the fabric looked thin and cheap on camera to me. It seems that it looked much nicer in person from the enthusiastic response from other commentators who were there. She's so pretty anyway, and her shoes were adorable if a huge risk.
I agree that Jane Fonda looked good and age-appropriate - but was that peek of nipple at the bustline under the illusion?
Some people grumped about Jennifer Love Hewitt - I liked her pale blue/white sculptural dress and big updo, which she needed to not be overwhelmed by her decolletage.
I wish Halle Berry had worn a different skirt. I loved the top and she definitely has the figure for it, but from the hips down it was two looks fighting each other.
I feel like Angelina was all covered up to hide her arms and shoulders - I think she may be too skinny for health, for what ever reason. She looked...fragile under there; the shape of the dress makes me think of Nancy Reagan.
Milla Jovovich looked like old Hollywood glamour to me, in her silver. She stood beautifully if that makes sense. Her dress wasn't the best, but not too bad despite the gathered skirt from the knee.
The big trends I noticed - more updos than in prior years, more ponytails, more shoulders (oh Julianna, oh dear), fewer mermaid/fish tails (although those that did appear were huge) and more straight skirts with dangerously high front slits. High front slits appeared in full skirts too. I'm sure that some people at tables close to the stage saw "London and France" a few times, because some of the girls didn't seem to know how to just walk in their gowns.
Oh yeah - Hailee Steinfeld looked just right. I also liked Kaley Cuoco when she presented, very pretty.
A word to Diane Warren - OK I know you're not an actress and I think men's tux wear on women can look great - but, just like the guys, your jacket and pants should be tailored to fit you, and your shirt should be pressed(see comment on Tilda Swinton.)

My mother made beautiful counted cross stitch bibs for my daughter, as well as two counted cross stitch crib quilts that we hung on the wall because they were too beautiful to use. We have kept everything for future generations.
For myself, I enjoy machine couching yarns, and very simple felt embroidery.

Robyn L. Coburn

My favorite tips are:
Always buy two spools of your thread to save time when you refill your bobbin - you don't have to unthread your machine.
Invisible zippers are much easier than regular zippers to install.
Snip your pattern marks in the seam allowances.
I agree with all the folk who mention ironing. My iron is definitely a big part of my sewing toolbox.

I'd love to win.

Robyn L. Coburn

I was very disappointed that Michael was "auffed" in favor of Gretchen. Her items looked like something from Chico's catalog from 1984. Her puffy at the hip/narrow ankle cropped pants are just about the least flattering garment for any woman's figure. She showed the nadir of casual sportswear. Her print mix didn't seem fresh to me either.
I dare say Mondo is the favorite to win. I hope he keeps his quirky headgear - this is supposed to be haute couture, not worn on the street. I'm looking forward to seeing what else he has done with his Dia de los Muertes screen print.
The other eliminated designers showing at the PR fashion week show are decoys so that the press and attendees don't get to preempt the results before the broadcast. They aren't in the running for the prizes, although if there were any buyers in the audience, it's still a great opportunity. The question is really who does make up the audience, other than family and friends. Are they actual fashion industry people and haute couture customers, or a seat fillers from Central Casting?

In "Fiddler on the Roof" the whole town rushes to see the new arrival at Motel the Tailor's house - the sewing machine. Motel marvels at the even stitches and the speed.

I love the sewing at the start of "Coraline" - but then I'm an art doll maker.

Finally, another stop motion sewing moment from "A Nightmare Before Christmas" - when Sally sews herself to back together after jumping out a window. She is also the only person Jack trusts to make his Santy Claws costume.

I agreed with sending Jesse home, and I think the judges looked at his body of work and saw that this dress was heading in the mundane silhouette of much of his work. Perhaps if Emilio's realization of his macrame idea had been better it would have looked less messy and more wow. He did stretch the truth some at judging. His original idea was a dress after all. The person who actually said the words "I didn't want to make a dress like everyone else" was our winner. I think they saw this garment as an aberration from Emilio.
Often I think the judges must be seeing something a little different than shows on film. I also quite liked Anthony's dress - I thought it was pretty. I liked that he made mesh look like organza. Perhaps not top three, but not bottom three either.
I don't think Seth Aaron's bodice and skirt looked good on camera, especially from the front. It looked too like aluminum foil for my taste, but I did like the strapping on the back. I would have been more interested if he done some kind of surface treatment - like an age wash (there's got to be stuff in the hardware store for that!) or heat effect to texturize and enhance the rock and roll feeling.
A simple, barely altered cuff the most "witty"? I was expecting them to express disappointment at the weakness of the accessory. I thought she should have come third rather than second for that reason, but at least she took up the challenge of not using a fabric-like base material.
The only problem with plastic pants is the sweat. They looked like leather, but I doubt they would breath like it.
I have to wonder what Ping would have made of this challenge.

Well this looks like an awesome thing. I like using bias tape as hem finishing on curved skirts for dolls or people.

I'll hope to win.