There's no doubt that I would benefit from, "The Colette Sewing Hand Book". Like many others, I too have sewn for decades. However, there are ongoing updates of old and new techniques that should be right at my finger tips, because this brain of mine doesn't remember everything the way it used to. I remember winning only one prize in my life, and it got lost in the mail. Hmmm, whatever happened to that stuffed animal?

Hi Simplicity, Sometimes when I sew in reverse, I need two hands to guide the fabric. It looks as though, companies stopped making sewing machines where you can select reverse, and have two free hands for better control of the fabric. Can you please incorporate this feature in your new design? Thanks.

Hi Tim, I would like to share how I would tackle this dilemma:
Staring at the shoulder seam, place a dot at the desired shoulder seam line (where the seam should be).
Now, measure the distance between the current jacket shoulder seam and the desired seam from your dot. This distance will be the amount to decrease the width of jacket front and back, which will pull in the arm hole to where it should be. (I'm assuming the front is too wide as well),Ex. If the distance between the current top sleeve shoulder point is 3/4", then you will place a dot 3/4" away from the current armhole sleeve seam every 1/4" to 1/2" apart, finishing at the underarm on the jacket side seam.
Using a french curve, draw a line connecting the dots. This is your new cutting line that will decrease the jacket width.
You will now adjust the height of the top sleeve seam by adding the same adjusting measurement, ex. 3/4", to the top sleeve. This will increase the height of the sleeve, allowing it to meet with the desired jacket armhole neatly.
At this point, your sleeve is a little longer. You can make an adjustment by, cutting off the adjusting amount, ex. 3/4" from the sleeve hem line.
*Don't forget to add your seam allowance to the adjustment before you cut from the adjusted pattern.
**If the front jacket isn't wide enough to use the same adjusting measurement as the back, you can still use the same method by, putting a dot at the desired location on the armhole front panel,and measure the distance between the dot and the current point of the jacket front arm hole. Repeat the previous steps.
*** This is my giving to you, for "Thanks Giving". I do hope this will help.

OMG! What a special talent you have. If you ever wondered what to specialize in; this has got to be it. Evening and Bridal wear. I should see you in magazines real soon. I wish I could have been right beside you when you did this. I would like to have your strong skill. You must carry on. Congratulations on such a superb job.

I chose that Evadress creation. Simple lines, and oh so elegant. I also see that it's one of those gowns where your very own body and your personality really makes it happen. This is definitely not for every figure. It looks absolutely stunning on the dress form. Yet, I love it.