Oh! I missed the Sparky news but am wishing good things to come from it!!

I am lisah in this one!

For the stuff I'm interested in, it seems like there's super-basic and then serious study. Where's the casual enthusiast level?

I want to start an adult ed provider and I'll label the classes as beginner, dilettante, and enthusiast, just for Jesse.

I know some sewing, but damn if it is a pain in the ass for me to do. I think I would rather clean my bathroom.

I'm going to take all the dilettante ones, just because.

Dilletante classes should comb with cigarette holders and flirtini glasses.

Erin, have you done media training? Your post to Sparky was right on!

The only thing I'd add is, if you wear a long top, sit on the back of it so the shoulders don't ride up.

Sparky, I'm saying a prayer that THIS is the thing that brings her home.

Please start with sewing and auto, Kat?

I think I'd rather sew than clean my bathroom. But, really, all I've ever sewn is buttons on and some really atrociously bad seam/rip repairs.

I did use my mother's sewing machine once for a sewing project in home ec. The one and only time I used a sewing machine.

For example (what, you guys started me off on clothing modification, one of my fave pastimes): just about any blazer I buy, be it off-the-rack or from a thrift store, goes through what I consider a "basic" round of alterations. I unpick the back seam of the lining so I can take in the center darts/seams to make it more fitted through the waist. I split and finish the back two side seams up to just above the hips, so the bottom of the jacket will lay smoothly over petticoats. I usually end up adding extra buttons and button holes, because most blazers don't have enough to deal with my bosom-to-waist ratio.

Yes, that's what I consider to be basic alterations. I know, I'm crazy.

Oh wait! Not beginner... it should be tyro, dilettante and enthusiast.

heee!

I can tailor, sort of, but mostly my skills are used for hemming at this point. Or redoing Grace's soccer uniform to fit her. I hemmed it too small, but the darts I put in the back make the top more fitted without losing the jersey number nor the seaming/decoration.

I just mailed an envelope of poop to someone.

I just mailed an envelope of poop to someone.

Non sequitur!

Yes, that's what I consider to be basic alterations. I know, I'm crazy.

Crazy awesome. I'd love to have those skills. They'd serve me well, because I know many a time I've had to not buy something that would have looked great if I could have taken the waist from one size, the arms from the next size up, and let the hem down about an inch.