I remember Lois from taking many classes from her during sewing events and seeing her on the mainstage during the fashion shows at these events. Her imagination will truly be missed and I hope that one day I can be half as creative as she has been. Condolences to her family and many friends.

To be up front about this topic I must let you know that I do sell sewing machines at a company owned store for a well known sewing machine company but I really wanted to add to the list above: you should also look for someone that is knowledgeable about the machines and sewing in general. Also convenience of hours of operation and location to your home. There are alot of great deals out there on the internet but most manufacturers prohibit their dealers or their own company owned stores from selling on-line. If you purchase from someone on-line you may not have a recourse when it comes to getting service in or out of warranty. I have seen many customers that purchased on-line a machine that was "new-in-box" and when it arrived not all of the parts were there and some items were broken. By the time they purchased the missing items and paid for repairs it ended up costing them more than what I would have charged them for the same machine. And if this was somehow a machine that they bought from me it would have been as simple as replacing the parts and or the machine.

Hi all just wanted to let you know that on Christmas eve I sewed up one of the jackets for my dsd. It took me less than 15 minutes as I have done this before and I used my serger. She has worn the jacket to work now at least 3 times and everytime someone ask her where she bought it.

For all that are having trouble visualising the process take it one step at a time and while having someone read you the instructions you physically do the work and pin it. It will make more sense then. The most inportant part of the process is the length of the jacket from neck line to lower back is less than the length from wrist to wrist.

Hope this helps.

Hi all just wanted to let you know that on Christmas eve I sewed up one of the jackets for my dsd. It took me less than 15 minutes as I have done this before and I used my serger. She has worn the jacket to work now at least 3 times and everytime someone ask her where she bought it.

For all that are having trouble visualising the process take it one step at a time and while having someone read you the instructions you physically do the work and pin it. It will make more sense then. The most inportant part of the process is the length of the jacket from neck line to lower back is less than the length from wrist to wrist.

Hope this helps.

Hi all just wanted to let you know that on Christmas eve I sewed up one of the jackets for my dsd. It took me less than 15 minutes as I have done this before and I used my serger. She has worn the jacket to work now at least 3 times and everytime someone ask her where she bought it.

For all that are having trouble visualising the process take it one step at a time and while having someone read you the instructions you physically do the work and pin it. It will make more sense then. The most inportant part of the process is the length of the jacket from neck line to lower back is less than the length from wrist to wrist.

Hope this helps.

all of the comments here are correct especially pressing as you go. i also have made special "hams" for my sewing room for special projects that have made all of the difference. but something that has been over looked here is also pre-treating the fabric before sewing or cutting it out. by this i mean washing and or having the fabric dry-cleaned or steam pressed by the dry-cleaners before construction begins. nothing is worse that having a garment constructed and then sending to the dry-cleaners and haveing it returned shrunken or worse have the "hand" of the material change. also after construction depending on the garment it is sometimes better to use fabric sizing instead of starch when pressing. it is also essential to have a great iron or pressing system. i have a gravity feed iron as well as a steam press similiar to what the dry-cleaners use when pressing pants and other flat pieces. it really makes all of the difference in the world.

this really takes me back. i attended a sewing and quilt expo the same year that issue 100 came out and i signed up for the 30 minute jacket class and then volunteered to do the sewing during the class. wow was i suprised how easy it was and have made lots of them since and have taught it to a lot of students and friends since then. it really is quick and is even faster once you understand the concept. i have made them in as little as 10 minutes. keep up the good work and once you understand it you will be making lots of them. also it never occured to me to sew it up in fleece. i will have to sew one soon. especially because you should be able to sew one with most fabric store remnants.

Kenneth
It would be nice if you would share, not only ideas but fabric as well... LOL! just kidding a little.