Great! No more quilting as the main focus. I love to watch anything about sewing, I can always pick up some new tips.

Small spaces seem to be more the norm these days. (I'm saying that because it's what I have), and I know a lot of others do too. Mainly, I like a space away from everything else, no distractions, no noise unless I want to turn some music on, just some peace and quiet when I want it. Then I can turn my attention to what I'm working on and the time just flies by.

Wish I could top any of the previous ones; they're all busy and fabulous. I'm just going to sew anything that appeals to me. I find I like to sew when nothing else grabs my attention. It's relaxing and takes my mind off anything else.

Donna Karen, definitely. When I first started sewing many years ago the first time I saw her work I was hooked.
I also loved Edith Head, which shows how far I go back.

I really love the parchment paper idea, I wish I'd known about it a long time ago.

It reminds me of another idea for saving patterns which you know you'll use again and again; heat-seal pattern pieces to freezer paper with a warm iron and they'll last almost forever. {This means they'll take up a little more storage space when put away.}

Very attractive.It's worth the little effort this technique takes to attractively finish a garment you've spent some time on.

Very well explained, and the photos are easy to follow. It makes it sound so simple I can't wait to try it. The end result really is attractive.

I totally agree with all the previous comments, with an emphasis on the first; we must preserve the craftsmanship. In sewing as well as almost everything else, where has the priceless craftsmanship gone; when people took pride in doing something even if it took time to do it.

I never started to sew until I was past 30. I can remember sitting in front of the machine, afraid to touch anything in case I did something wrong. Then I took a basic sewing course at night school. Once I started, I proceeded to make all the clothes which I wore to work, which I only started the following year.
I stuck to basic designs at first, can only remember maybe one PLAID outfit which I never wore, but everything else was certainly ok.(At least to me). Then as the family grew into teenage years, I stopped entirely. When I picked it up again a few years ago I found I had to get the book out to thread the machine.
Now at 70 I have a new machine, and am starting over again. My lack of self-confidence prevents me from going anywhere near a serger, but I have everything I could ever imagine needing in my machine. If there is a moral to this, it's don't let uncertainty stop you from trying new things, or you can be missing out on something you'll really enjoy.
I've loved reading all these stories, how can you not be inspired when you read them? Also love the idea about getting sewing tips on-line.
I hope the comments column continues, it's so interesting hearing others stories.

Farmergal and Quiltbeads, thanks so much for your comments. I don't know if I'll try refinishing at this point, but will keep your advice in mind if I do. Also, the tip re keeping thread on the bar, which so far I've never used, I'm going to start keeping some frequently used mending threads there, as I've never thought of using it that way. Thanks to both of you!

Loved this article! I have an old sewing chest on legs with three drawers and a hinged hatch on each side which can really hold quite a bit of whatever you wish to put in there; I use it for a quick mending kit, extra scissors, knitting needles, knitting projects in process. It's missing a couple of drawer knobs, not great to look at, but I'd never part with it. One drawer even has a removable tray on the top, and underneath that, a bar reaching from side to side on which you could store spools of thread, as it's removable. I can remember it in my mothers bedroom from early childhood. I'd thought of having it refinished, but maybe it's better of left as is.