GMterrie, for turning points use a surgical clamp for grabbing that folded-over seam. They grab and stay that way until you release them, makes it much easier.

***Apologies for going slightly off topic there ***

Love the hints on the inseam. I think I always just trimmed off the extra at the hem. I'm about to use some very nice wool fabric for slacks and will add this to my techniques. I'll probably try a combination of steam-fitting and easing.

To user1111... and Kenneth: One fusible that might work on the silk dupioni is a stabilizer called "Dreamweaver" from Floriani. It is designed to be fused to delicate silks and similar fabrics before you sew. It is very light and drapey, and it might be something to try.

Can't wait to give this a try...hoping my husband will be patient enough to help with the measurements.

Forgot to say, man, I'd love to get a chance to look at the insides of those dresses, see how they were put together.

I saw a lot of narrow, deep plunge necklines. Almost too many, in fact - it seemed like every other dress was cut down to almost the base of the sternum. Have to give Katherine McPhee's folks a nod, they did a great job with the tape!

I thought the idea of Anne Hathaway's dress was great, and the skirt looked fab, but the top did not fit her well and looked more like a cast. It was tight up under her underarms, needed to curve gracefully around her back instead.

Agree that Lucy Liu's dress looked terrific, but was she the right one to wear it?

And Nicole Kidman is looking great again. That midriff, especially in the back, was stunning.

Jodi Foster looked better than I've ever seen her, even though that navy blue was a bit severe it sure complimented her eyes.

Finally, Claire Danes. OMG, she just had a baby? Loved the tucks at the waistline, they could camoflage a bit of baby belly even though it didn't look like she had any. And that color was perfect.

Would love to expand my knowledge with this series!

Wow, so very clear! I nearly tore my hair out over the placket the first time I made a man's dress shirt. This will become a staple technique for me, I am sure.

Wow, talk about retro! 1784 looks exactly like what I was sewing in the 1977-1982 timeframe. Had to laugh at that. No more bow-tie blouses for me, been there, done that. That dress style in 1777 is enough before my time though, it is beautiful. If it were in plus sizes I'd be all over it with a beautiful wool jersey I have.

sj

I would love to have this to inspire me.

I have quite a stash of lace fabric and need more ways to use it, so "Custom Lace Top" is a natural for me. I'd love to get a copy of this issue!

I will be there, taking classes on Friday and Saturday.(NancyNancy, sorrly I will miss seeing your evening suit.) I've been before, but just for the Expo; this will be my first try at taking classes. I'll be driving an hour each way both days, so I sure hope they are worth it! I know that a lot of classes are already sold out.

I'm looking forward to the event, and talking to many vendors I work with in person. My only concern is how much money I'll end up spending ;-)

I learned perpendicular pin placement from my mother about 40 years ago. Then I stopped sewing for 25 years and when I started again recently all I heard about was parallel placement. Thanks for letting me know that I'm not just doing this because I'm stuck in the last century :)

Jan Bones has been at the Sewing Expo (March, Puyallup, WA) the last couple of years. I love the Nice Nightie and the Curvy Camisole patterns - possible to make them fit even the most Rubenesque woman :)

My son was born in 1985, and that's when I took a 24-year hiatus from sewing. Having the entire Threads archive would allow me to catch up on everything I missed, now that I am trying to get re-started with my sewing. I feel like I have missed so much - new fabrics, new threads, new vendors - and I really need a good way to catch up. If you would only choose me...please?

Sailcocktail

I'm making tote bags for my mother and sister, and another shirt for my son in addition to an aloha shirt for my husband. I am excited to use my new embroidery machine to add even more custom touches to these pieces. I'll crochet doilies for several of my cousins as well.