Questions...and a few Answers!

First, I've replaced the picture in the last post.  Ummm, rushing to take a picture during the commercial break of Lost is not a good thing.  So I've replaced it with a better one taken with a different background to better showcase the dress.

Second, there were quite a few questions left in the comments section of the last post so I thought I would answer them sooner rather than later...

Carol asked if I paired the dress wth my new nude shoes? 
Yes, I did the ones I bought from Nine West.  I love these shoes!  Can you see them in the picture above?  Don't they look fabu?!

Brenda asked, What pattern did I use for my dress?
My TNT Pattern is Butterick 5932, which is out of print.  I've blogged about it on three separate occasions, the first time is here, the second one is part of a series on my TNT patterns, and the final one is a paragraph in my post, 12 on a desert island.  I hope that you take the time to read these posts because they detail the evolution of my TNT dress pattern and how it's come to be "the perfect dress pattern."

KarenJeanette asked, "Do you wash or dryclean your clothing?" and AnnaR asked, "with the bemberg lining are garments dry clean only?"
If I line a garment, the piece is drycleaned.  That's my bottom line.  If a piece is unlined and I've pretreated the fabric by washing & drying it, then I will wash it again.  The majority of my summer wardrobe is predominantly unlined and therefore washable, this includes my little silk shells.  So since my preferred lining of choice is bemberg, it is always drycleaned when included in a garment.

One additional point...I have ALOT of clothes because I sew so much.  Because of that, some of my garments get worn only once during a season...and have maybe been to the drycleaners once.  With only one wearing a good airing usually is sufficient.  The garments that see a lot of drycleaning are my winter pants because they are wool, lined and get so much wear during the season.

AnnaR also asked, I think I noticed a picture of "how to use, adapt and design sewing patterns" by Lee Hollahan on your blog not long ago. Do you use this book? Would you recommend it or have any thoughts about it you'd care to share?
I've had the book a couple of months now and even though I've read through sections of it, I haven't actually applied any of the techniques.  However, the instructions are clear and concise on how to alter a pattern.  So clear that I can actually see myself using these techniques.  And that is a must for me because I don't want an advanced patternmaking book.  I'm looking for the correct way to make a few improvements or changes to the patterns I own...not to draft from scratch...and I think this book is perfect for that. 

Now someone who wants more in-depth pattern drafting information might find this book to be a little lightweight.  I would not recommend this book if you want to draft from scratch, or if you want to elevate your drafting skills to a more professional level...but if you are looking to move to the next level, change up a few things on your pattern or just understand better how a pattern is suppose to work...this is the book for you!

I hope I've answered all of your questions thoroughly and keep them coming!  

I'm already thinking of the three day Holiday weekend that we have coming up here in the U.S. and what I want to make.   I do know that I want to spend quality time with my sewing machine...it's time!  The sewing fatigue that I experienced at the beginning of the month has passed and there is alot of fabric (both old and new) calling my name...loudly...desiring to go from flat folds to three dimensional garments.

...as always more later and GO DEREK & NICOLE!!!!!