I just purchased/received the Quilt Your Stash book, which has been a delight to read on this very subject. Very useful info on how to store bits and bites, which of course means you'll actually be able to USE those bits and bites for something useful. I need to put a really long video on in my sewing room, and start cutting those useful squares... I think my first project from my stash will be table runners using fall/christmas fabrics. I have a lot of them from various projects, so think it will be easy to come up with enough for a project.

I would have a hard time choosing between the elegantly rendered details of the Edwardian period (and yes, I am a Downton Abbey fan!) and the beautiful tailoring of the 1930's and 40's.

This book would be a wonderful addition to any sewer's resource library. Pick Me!

It's so surprising how many comments this subject has garnered! Seems we all have an 'ironing' story or method.

I, too, learned from my Mother. It was my job to sprinkle clothing and roll up garmets for her in the beginning, then I got to iron Dad's handkerchiefs, and on up to shirts - the most challenging.

One of my favorite memories of my Mom is coming home from school and she would have the WGN afternoon movie on the television, with the ironing board set up in front of it, and her foot on the base of the bassinette, rocking the youngest sibling. Talk about multi-tasking!

I wonder how the trim is attached to the garment? Hand-tacked along the underneath where the joining/forming stitches are located? One more pic would complete the instructions for me! Thanks, all, I appreciate the comments so much. Lantern and Shadows, YOU are the math wizard as you seem to inherently understand how to calculate markup.

I made my daughter and granddaughter matching aprons last Christmas and they were a big hit. Then in 2011, I made a bbq apron for my 30+ age son - aprons are great gifts and even if people just hang them in the kitchen as decor, they seem to be appreciated.

I have been stockpiling fabric all summer, ready to tackle my gift list. I always include pajamas for the grandkids, which they open at our house and model on Christmas Eve. I get a great picture and memory, the parents get children all ready to tuck into bed when they head back home.

I'll make several 'rice bags' with removable sleeve covers for girlfriends - easy to slip the cover off to launder. My favorite shape has become a long tube with cord 'handles' on each end - loop it over your neck, set on your lap, etc, then hang up to store.

And I usually make several sets of pillowcases from yummy cotton (sometimes a matching pillowcase and sleep pants for grandsons); I have a couple of cooks who are in line for new aprons; my youngest grandson needs a fleece and flannel 'quillow' for road trips, and I'd like to try some table runners using recycled felted wools - saw some very inspiring pieces at the County Fair this summer.

I feel intimidated already.

I, too, am a voyeur of beautiful dedicated spaces! I have a second guest room, which is luxurious compared to many, but I still have a little fold out bed to accommodate, and still not enough cutting table space. Storage is also an issue, since like a lot of sewers, I am a bit of a fabric junkie and can't resist something special or a great sale. I was lucky to inherit a solid surface countertop from a local retail store, about 24" wide and 10' long where I set up two machines and a serger. It is impregnable! My husband gave me an in the wall ironing board to free up floor space, and I took the closet doors off and added a bureau and shelving to fill that space. Two sideboards and a hutch hold more fabric and books, patterns, etc. Can't wait for the article, and maybe it becomes a feature.

Yummy buttons, that really stand out with loops vs. buttonholes. Did you have to secure the under layer some other way, since it wouldn't be held as securely as with standard buttonholes and buttons?

I love to make a gift for everyone at Christmastime - and as the family grows, I need to start sewing early in the year. I especially like 'patternless' sewing and the Sew Stylish magazine always has lots of inspiration. I'd love to win the newest edition!

I'm so lucky to have a dedicated room and am slowly tweaking it into shape.
I'm going to ask for one more good task light, and perhaps a larger cutting mat.

Does anyone know the name of the 'war bride' movie above? I'd like to get on netflix right now and order it!

I have a Brother electronic machine with some nice decorative stitches, but very lightweight. A Singer four thread serger which I don't use enough. A heavy duty 'classroom-style' machine that would sew just about anything. And my latest acquisition, a Singer 301A that I am just crazy about. The most beautiful straight stich and about a dozen 'rube goldberg' style attachments. I had a Singer treadle at one time and have kicked myself (Hard!) for giving it up - I'll find another sometime. It was the best topstitiching machine I've ever seen... just the most beautiful straight stitch.