Hello, fellow stitchers!

I know this is short notice for some of you, but I wanted to let you know about some great on-line classes available from our sister site, www.sewingpatterns.com. The next class starts on May 1, 2004. These classes will help you learn new techniques and take your sewing to the next level! Make your own Dress Form, Become better at Zippers, Learn about interfacing, Learn to work with knits or just sit down and learn something new from the comfort of your own home. You can download a FREE Lesson today at http://sewingpatterns.com/index-sewclasses.html and learn more about the classes and how they work.

One of the most frequent questions I see asked is “How and where can I learn to sew?” These on-line classes are a great answer to that question, and a good value as well. Please check them out and sign up!

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When I show something I've made to my friends, they may say, “Gee, you are so creative. Where do you come up with these ideas?” Well, here's my secret: I look at the things around me!

I like to look through certain types of catalogs. I won't mention names, but I'm sure you know the ones: they have all kinds of knick-knacks, novelty items, and cute conveniences. There is a wealth of ideas there. Just looking through one issue, you might find:

• a hanger cover made from cloth, with a pocket for jewelry, belts, or scarves
• different sizes of drawstring laundry bags (a great first project for a new sewer!)
• pillows in different shapes to use while napping on a long car or train ride
• tote bags with cute designs, in different themes, such as gardening, reading(or even sewing!)
• a cover for folding roll-away cots used for overnight guests

Many of these items can be made with small pieces of fabric left over from other projects. If you don't have enough of one type of fabric, try piecing two or more together.

Many of these things are based on simple geometric shapes, such as squares and rectangles, and don't require a pattern. If you wan to use a pattern, look at any of the commercial pattern lines. (I looked in the home decorating section of a pattern book the other day, and was amazed at the number of patterns available for kitchen accessories, picnic accessories, window treatments, and furniture slip covers!)

A project can be something as quick as taking a ready-made blouse, vest, or sweatshirt and sewing some buttons on, or as detailed as making a custom-fitted slipcover. The world around us is full of ideas, if we just look!

As always, I invite you to come share your ideas with us, by joining in our weekly chats (Thursdays at 8 PM Eastern), posting on our message boards, or e-mailing me your pictures to post in our Talent Gallery.

May your fabric bins never be empty, and may you always have time to sew!