So sorry – I commented on a few questions without an introduction.  I am new to the discussion group, but not to sewing. I have been sewing for about 50 years starting with 4-H (won a prize and was hooked!) then Jr high.  I think I have sewn just about every thing from my own wedding gown to upholstery, but mostly garments for myself and for my sons and grandson when they were small and I couldn’t find garments that I liked.  We have always lived in the mid-west and shopping isn’t very sophisticated.  The INTERNET has helped.  My oldest son has always had a knack for all mediums artistic.  He has included me in some of his endeavors – some of which have been challenging and none of which have ever been boring.  Rock band clothing (early 80s) was fun – spandex was colorful and available – he is the one who spied the “pizza cutter” at the fabric store.  Now he digitizes photos he has taken and I sew them for him on my embroidery machine.  Discussions and forums such as this are as close to giving lessons on sewing and machine embroidery as I can get without giving up my freedom to come and go, sew or garden as the mood strikes me.  My husband likes to work with leather (does is own machine and hand sewing) during the winter months – outdoor activities take up our summer months.