I agree!

So simple! Looks very neat. I will be doing this from now on.
Thanks

What a wonderful Idea. I have given away my old sewing machines and I know the recipients have been very grateful. But I am just one person with only a couple of sewing machines. This is a way to touch many more lives in a very positive way.
I wish them the best of luck.

Sounds like a great issue, as usual.

What a great prize! Thanks for making it available.

What an easy creative fix. Just brilliant! Thanks for sharing.

This might come in handy when I teach a newbie to sewing this spring.

I enjoy making bound buttonholes. I like what they look like and I like handling fabric while making little windows. They add a nice bit of detail to a piece. My bound buttonholes usually look better than my machine buttonholes because I tend to rush through my machine buttonholes.

I have used a similar method that is described here. The one I used does not use a bias strip but an on grain strip. The strip is basted down the center on grain. The ladder rungs on the garment are on the exact buttonhole placement and you align the center strip basting with the ladder rung. The rest is just about the same. I will have to print this up to keep in my sewing area.

Is the cord primarily for strength and stability or for body and bulk?

Thank you for a very clear lesson and looking forward to more.

hulagal, Check http://www.clotilde.com/detail.html?cat_id=12&prod_id=410

Sometimes picking out the right needle and thread combination can take some trial and error. I have the most difficulty with synthetic knits. Sometimes a universal will work better than a ball point needle. I just have to try until it looks good. There are a number of sites that will help to start your needle vs. thread match. http://www.coatsandclark.com/Products/Sewing/Threads/Dual+Duty+XP/XP+Thread+Advisor.htm is the Coats & Clark site. I have even e-mailed manufactures for advice. Some of it has been extremely helpful. Mettler thread is available in my area. I do not use it a lot so their web site http://www.amefird.com/mettler.htm has been helpful for me to understand their thread.

I sew with a variety of fabrics and I am always changing needles. I try to use my needles till they die. By die, I mean the tip will dull or bend just enough to skip or wobble a stitch on one of my big projects. To look at them they look fine. Before I do trash a needle I will use a product called Innovations Needle Release, From Stan Rising CO., Inc. or All Purpose Sewers Aid, W. H. Collins Inc. I think they are both silicone based products. I use them very sparingly and have never seen any long term problems with them. I will even wipe a needle with rubbing alcohol to remove any residue they may have picked up. When sewing on very expensive or exclusive fabrics, very fine silk, or some ribbons, the cost of throwing out a needle is trivial. I will either set it aside to use latter or throw it out.

You do beautiful work. I especially admirer your hand work on this. It is amazing on this lace. How did you mark it for smocking? My Grandmother taught me when I was about 8 years old. It seems that it is almost a lost art. I am glad to see it executed so exquisitely.

You did a fine job. Your dress looks good on the dress form, but better on you. Often a simple looking project is technically very difficult. Your experience has paid off.
Now all you need is a yacht and a tropical moonlit night.

Just stunning, your work is beautiful. It truly looks like a labor of love. Thank you for sharing.