OOPS, Got mixed up about what to do first...post or write! Anyway, this trim is already planned for the next Christening dress, scarf or embellishment I will be doing soon to present to my Fiber Arts Guild next week. Thanks so much for the fun, interesting and pretty trim.

Stephani, How do I contact the Vintage Pattern Lending Library?

I'm in agreement with many of you...I watch this show to see the fashions and not the poor attitudes, back-biting and outright meanness. So far this season, I haven't seen much fashion, imagination or creativity.

For Fall, I would like to see classics with a quirky twist. Something unexpected and innovative applied to a basic provides drama and interest.

I was born in the early 50's. I grew up with my mother well corseted and girdled every day of her life. When she went out, the corseting, girdling and gartering increased. As a teen, girdles and garters were standard with brassieres being very structured and in some cases even stiff. Then the 60's hit. All that structure and stiffness for the female body was sent packing....literally. No girdles, no garters and few or no bras. Then, along came Victoria's Secret. Bras and garters became sexy. There has been a big comeback and recently "Spanx" have appeared...just a softer version of the old girdle. Well, I'm guessing that things will come full circle and in the near future, we will probably see the newest thing for a woman's body/shape being corsets and boning. I guess the old saying is still true..."History repeats itself."

I'm looking forward to PR's ninth season. I watch the program for the creativity and the results. I don't need the gimmicks to be an avid PR supporter. Once I share the program with someone else, they become watchers along with myself.

I'm very interested and excited for up-coming "Project Accessory" as well as "Project Runway's" new season. I've been watching re-runs of "Project Runway" the past several months on the "Style Network" from past seasons which I had missed. I never get tired of it. I love to sit and sketch my designs for the challenges as I watch the show. I've come up with some wonderful designs and I've been surprised at my creativity. I've been sewing accessories for many years for myself and my daughters so I'll be designing and sketching right along with the "Project Accessory" show.

During the re-runs, I finally saw Austin Scarlet and Santino Rice during their competitions on different previous seasons...along with all the other great designers. I've enjoyed their off-shoot show "Austin & Santino" on the "Lifetime Network" as they design for deserving, giving and incredible American women around the country.

So, needless to say, I love anything to do with fashion and whatever accompanies and supports fashion.

Any kind of embroidery is great. Some of my favorites are shadow embroidery, hardanger and crewel. I like the variety of stitches in crewel. Shadow embroidery is subtle and gives understated beauty wherever it's applied. Hardanger has many stitches and the cut threads can make some interesting designs. The modern embroidery machines are very nice, but hand embroidery is so much more special because it's a labor of love. Surface embellishments of any kind are wonderful and get everyone's complete attention. Embroidery makes any wearable unique. It changes the mundane, practical items into eye candy. It gives art dimension and interest like nothing else can. Embroidery is useful, beautiful and shows extra loving and creative care and effort.

Interesting reading other people's comments. I loved Mondo's skirt, top and accessories. I think it really reflected the challenge guidelines. Valerie's red outfit was good, but it was hard for me to see the detail and it looked stiff to me. In my opinion, Gretchen's jumpsuit was blah. I was so surprised when it won because I thought either Mondo's or Valerie's were better choices. Even the billboard at the end didn't change my mind...either of the other two outfits (Mondo's & Val's) would have jumped from the billboard because of color, styling and flair...not just because of the model and/or the photographer. The guy from Hawaii (don't remember his name) has put out two lovely outfits and I'm surprised that he hasn't been in the top. His construction appears to be impeccable. I'd love to be in the workroom and see the construction processes. Hope Peach stays, glad Jason went home and I'm anticapating next week's program. Party favors to construct with...interesting.

Lovely detail and a technique that's so useable.

I'm wondering how to keep the bias strips of organza shaped into the desired formation without sewing them to a foundation piece as you go? Organza is stiff and slippery. Even cut on the bias, it likes to retain a straight line rather than a curve. So, again, what makes it capable of remaining in the curved shape which is shown on the model's bodice? I can imagine so many great applications for this technique.

Awaiting a reply. Ymana

I love old machines...currently I have 3 sergers, 15 sewing machines (newest is a 1993 PFAFF), 1 Omni-stitch (specialty stitching), and 1 industrial US Blindstitch (with horizonal needle and most recently purchased). I've been searching for a hemstitching machine, but they are rare and quite pricey. I used to do a lot of sewing, but because of nerve problems, I had to quit. Now, since surgery on both hands and arms, I'm hoping to get back to it. I love the creative process and the older machines help me to get the creative juices flowing. Thanks for this article. I really enjoyed reading it.

Very interesting and informative. I've been wanting to know more about oil based paint stiks and this was just perfect for basic information. I especially appreciated learning about all of the products used and where to find some of them...like the child's rubbing plates. Thanks

Deana, Hello and welcome. I've read your articles which appeared in Threads and have enjoyed them. I must echo the comments of several previous posters...I enjoy, appreciate and devour the in-depth, advanced sewing techniques and ideas that have been the trade mark of Threads magazine. I get so excited about a fabulous old technique which I can use in a new garment or in some other application...like home dec. I get tons of inspiration from these many and various ideas. I've been sewing for more than 50 years. I've taught classes, done demos, helped with 4-H, and sewn clothing and home dec professionally. I love seeing new ideas...and old, never-out-of-style exquisite techniques. I can still learn and I love to see old & new fashions, clothing, home dec and textiles. I'm always interested in new products on the market and how they can be used. Most of the time, I come up with ideas of my own on how to use the new products. But to get started, sometimes I need a push by seeing how someone else has been able to apply the new products.

I guess I've basically said the same things as others. I'll quit for now. Congratulations on your new calling. Ymana Johnson