In my High School Home Ec class, we made long-sleeve, knit dresses for one of our projects. I struggled through the entire project, swearing I would NEVER sew on knits again. Finally, I finished and triumphantly held up my project - only to discover I had sewn one of the sleeves to the neck hole so that the dress looked like a turtleneck dress for a giraffe. I still laugh when I think of that one, and, yes, I still won't sew on knits!

I have a great niece! When my niece Maja married Jon, she became a step-mom to Julie. I have started sewing for Julie who loves pinks and purples, monkeys and firetrucks (Her daddy is a fireman!) Next, I will work on Mommy/Daughter aprons, plus a small matching apron for the new baby Maja is expecting! It's a beautiful family!!

I have a pin cushion in the shape of a dress form. It's wonderful as I keep my short pins for pinning measurement papers to each piece of fabric so that I know exactly how much fabric I have in my stash. I bought it at Hancock Fabrics for 99 cents!!!

My favorite tip is to hand baste in my zippers before I sew them in. Since I started this, all my zippers have been sewn in right the FIRST time! Another neat tip that someone gave me that I haven't tried is to use aluminum foil to copy a piece of fabric on a chair. By carefully smoothing the aluminum foil all over the piece (such as a wing back), you can get a perfect pattern piece. Has anyone else tried this?

By the way, my 56th birthday is January 17! This book would make a WONDERFUL birthday gift!! ;-)

What an excellent idea for a magazine! I love anything that helps me sew better AND faster!!

What a terrific idea for a magazine! I love things that help me sew better AND faster!!

Thank you, Kenneth!! This will add amazing touches to the children's clothing and aprons I sew. Any more terrific ideas? Have you published a book? Please, tell us more!!