Welcome, thecrafter, to the ranks of those of us who love to sew! Your first project is a winner. I love the fabric. It will be perfect with a peasant blouse. Are you making the blouse, too, or is it already in your wardrobe? Keep sewing and challenging yourself. I have been sewing since about age 5 (we won't go in to how long ago that was!) I was so fortunate to have a Mother, Grandmother, and Aunt to learn from. Best wishes...

Hi, I like it! We all need a little spring in our lives about this time of year. Did you sew the elastic to the outside of the sleeve or the inside? The new clear elastic makes both options possible. And yes, easier than a casing. Enjoy wearing springtime as well as carrying it in your heart.

If it were not for the garment, there would be nothing to embellish. Every once in a long while, I find an embellishment that calls out for a garment. Usually I have a number of patterns I am waiting to make and find one perfect for that particular embellishment. On a whole, however, the garment comes first~the garment leads the embellishment concept.

I would choose Victorian fashions. I am speaking of American fashions of the Victorian period. What fun to be able to, as one person said, combine two of my loves, history and sewing. Thank you for the opportunity.

What parents do for their children! A beautiful, absolutely gorgeous wedding dress. I am in awe~you only had two months to make it happen.

As I have downsized, my fabric stash has gone to two groups:
1.) The local Quilts of Valor group of which I am a member.
2.) Quilt Dreamers, a local quilt guild that makes quilts and caps for preemies and quilts for children in crisis.
I have less to store and my fabric stash has found 2 good homes.

My worst bad habit involves valuing just about everything above sewing/quilting. Once I finally get to the machine I thoroughly enjoy myself and wonder why I didn't do it sooner. Good question. Some of it is the "Mom guilt", but my children are grown and gone now. I don't need to pack lunches, take my turn at carpool, run the kids to the library, or help them with homework. As you mentioned, bad habits (and old habits) die hard. Why do I now let relatively unimportant things keep me from sewing? The other habit I have is avoiding sewing because I can no longer sew in marathon fashion to finish projects. My body needs breaks and the way I have sewn most sucessfully in the past involved non-stop working at a project. The transition has been a mental one and I often revert to sewing for too long and living to regret it. I can't seem to enjoy sewing by dividing up the project into doable parts. Strange....but as I said it is a real mental battle.

My plans include the cute Owl hotpads and placemats, a casserole carrier, slippers for the crew, superhero and Nascar PJs for the little boys, and more Chicago Bears stuff, of course. I ordered a number of patterns this weekend and am eagerly anticipating their arrival soon. Then I'll go shopping in my stash and fill in the rest from my local fabric emporium. My plans are ambitious, but doable. This year I'm going to stay organized (I have a plan)!

I am cutting out a patriotic table runner this morning!I will be using a red, white, and blue striped fabric with the Easy Striped Table Runner pattern from The Quilt Company. The top uses a 60 degree ruler and has only 5 seams. They come out looking very involved, but aren't. Binding is not used as a finish. It is simply sewn right sides together and turned right side out. You can use any striped fabric with the pattern. I have my eye on some striped fabric with quilts hanging on the line. It would make a great table runner.

I hate to be the wet sponge, but I don't watch Project Runway and I won't be watching PR Accessory either. I know that some of the growth among the young sewists is attributable to PR and for that I am thankful. "Reality" shows are simply not for me. They defy reality in any sense of the word. But to all of you who love them...enjoy! To each his own....

What am I not sewing this summer? Kitchen curtains with matching table runner and potholders. 4 additional table runners. A sundress. A slipover sheath. A lace jacket to go with the sheath. A wedding quilt. A quilt in my living room colors to hang on the vaulted ceiling wall. Much more than I can ever finish, but I broke my wrist and I'm behind. I couldn't sew for two months. It was sheer torture.

I have never been brave enough to try draping. Something scary and mysterious about it. Perhaps a book could help me get over my fear of the unknown. Read and conquer!

Cate Blanchett's dress was lovely, delicate, and old time Hollywood glamourous. Was it different, unusual, risk-taking? It was all that and more. The first Oscar dress that I've found intriguing in years. Something unique.

I love it all! I have embroidered since about the age of 10. One of my favorite pieces I designed myself. It was a Christmas ornament with the music and words of my favorite carol, O Come All Ye Faithful. My mother got me started embroidering--I realize now what a gift of time and self and love she gave me.

Thank you for the great ideas on finishing. I love the scallops and can think of a few other stitches on my Bernina that might work, too. The button and buttonhole reinforcements should work well on garments. Once again a big thumbs up (as Siskel & Ebert would say) on your finishes and tips. This is a very worthwhile e-newsletter--as opposed to most I receive.