Monday, June 1, 2009

Mojo, Inspiration, Diving In & Giveaway

So, no, I haven't done another thing with the J Stern jeans yet. The mojo for them seems to be fleeting at the moment. I still want to work out the alterations and make them, but I've had something else nagging at me that just would not shut up.

Backing up a bit …

About a month ago, curiosity made me order the Palmer/Pletsch Full Busted DVD. It promptly arrived a week later. And sat. And sat. Well, because I could not motivate myself to work on the jeans this weekend (but I did at least finish the "chore" sewing of two valances for the bath and a "body" pillowcase for DS!), I decided to finally plop it into the DVD player and have a look. It's another winner from Palmer/Pletsch. (More below.)

While I did not personally learn anything new from the DVD, it did motivate me to start working on a knock-off of a dress I've had in a still-open browser window for at least 5 weeks now. (No, I don't turn off the computer.) Every few days, I remember it's there and look at it again. And wish it was in my closet.

Click here to look at it on the website.

It's a pretty simple but non-frumpy denim A-line dress, and I can see myself living in it over the summer. Especially on the 4th of July with some cute new white or red flip-flops.

So, I've silenced the screaming mojo and have begun making one. I'm using this pattern (B5131), which I searched for, found, and ordered right after I first saw the dress:



Watching Marta Alto in the video motivated me to actually try tissue fitting the pattern instead of muslining it. Foolish? Maybe. Especially since I am a strong proponent of muslins and I usually think pattern tissue is evil. But fabric is cheap, my time is limited, and the worst thing that could happen is that the dress becomes the muslin/prototype. Right? ;-)

The pattern is a pretty good match, isn't it? Slice and dice a couple of seams here and there, morph the sleeve into a slight puff, pin the tissue, try it on, and it's good to go. Or in theory anyway. But that's what I'm doing. Fabric is cut and I've started sewing it up.

Wish me luck!

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So, back to the DVD (and the Giveaway). It's very basic at the beginning and most, if not all, of that info is covered in the book and the original companion video (FFRP Basics), which is understandable or else the DVD wouldn't stand on its own. But the rest, the "meat" of it, is new to P/P. Highlights include Marta Alto demonstrating FBAs on twist tops, empire seams, strapless tops, princess seams, a jacket, the "Y Dart," 3 live models of all sizes, and I'm sure more that I'm now forgetting. Marta's style is very homey, a bit grandmotherly but in a good way. But she's direct, a good teacher who knows her stuff, and if you have any reservations about doing FBAs, you WILL learn from this video.

However, since as I mentioned above, I personally didn't learn any new tricks and I have a tendency to never watch a DVD twice, I've decided to offer this up as a giveaway so someone else can benefit from the great info. Just leave a comment on this blog entry telling me to enter you into the drawing. I'll find one of those random number generator thingies and next Monday I'll "draw" a number to match up with the order in which comments are posted. I'll ship this anywhere, but please note it's in U.S. DVD format, so you've got to have a player that can play it or it won't do you much good. Unless you need a shiny plastic coaster with a hole in the middle. ;-)

108 comments:

  1. I would love the DVD, so please enter me! Thanks!

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  2. Please enter me in your drawing. Thank you for your posts. I have sewn for years, but you are inspiring me to think about branching out.

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  3. hi! I love, love your blog.. I have learned so much and now I am asking for some addtl info...how ever did you capture the images from Myshape. I love the website for knock-off, so can you please, please tell?

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  4. Please enter me into the drawing. I've just read their books and would like to see the DVD.

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  5. Please enter me in the DVD giveaway. Thank you.

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  6. Please enter me in the drawing! Thanks!

    Now you have me obsessing over that dress too.....it is the buttons that get me I think.

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  7. Oh! Me, me, me! The FBA is driving me batty!

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  8. Please enter me in the give away! Thanks!

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  9. I would love to be entered in your giveaway. Thank you so much for your blog, I have learned so much from you.

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  10. I can't believe that you ordered a fitting dvd. You seem to have that covered. I am still learning, so I would love to enter your give-away contest.

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  11. Add me to the comp, I have big mommas that always need fitting. I am looking forward to seeing your finished dress, I have eyed that pattern a few times and not seen it make up yet.

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  12. Enter me please! Love your tutorials! They have helped me a lot.

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  13. I would love the DVD, so please enter me. I have very limited sewing resources, so I'm sure I'd learn a lot. :)

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  14. Please eneter me in the DVD drawing. I would love to have the P/P DVD on fitting.

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  15. I love that dress - I hope it comes out the way you want it to. The pattern has potential.

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  16. Please enter me in the drawing. Thanks!

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  17. Hi Debbie, I would like to be entered into your drawing. Your ability to do the fba's always amazes me. Good luck with that dress, it is a cute one and I can definitely see you in it!
    Virginia

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  18. Please enter me, I am not sure about FBA's and whether or not I need to do one. This could be good.

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  19. Hi Debbie! Please enter me into the drawing!

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  20. Yep - enter me also in the drawing for the dvd - the 'terminally endowed' of us can use all the help we can get!!

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  21. Enter me in the drawing too. I can use all the help I can get.

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  22. The dress is adorable. Can't wait to see yours.
    Please enter me in the drawing.

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  23. I'd love to have it! I really could use it!

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  24. Please enter me...I could use it and I love Pati and Marta! mdeeter@hotmail.com

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  25. Please enter me in the drawing. And make the fear of FBA's a thing of the past.
    And I like the denim dress, I'm with Brooke - I think it's the buttons. But thinking of making that many buttonholes gives me the hives! Got a DVD on buttonholes?

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  26. I'd love to be in the drawing! Love the dress too.

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  27. I would love to learn about full bust adjustments so please enter me in the drawing. I really enjoy your blog....you have a great sense of humor!

    Jane M.

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  28. I could sure do with some more fitting help so consider me keen to be entered for the draw too. And you know, you're always welcome to fly on over to show me how to do it ;) We could possibly even try for snow for you....

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  29. Please enter me in your drawing. This is so very generous of you!

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  30. I can hardly wait for your entry describing how you do that dress. It's adorable...in a good way!

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  31. Can't wait to see how your dress turns out. I would love a chance to view the DVD. g

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  32. I'm in for the draw! That would be fabulous!

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  33. Don't put me in. Is there a "built like a 2' x 4'" video because I would totally want to get in on that drawing . . . :)

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  34. Please enter me in your drawing. I need all the fba help I can get!

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  35. Hello Debbie,
    please enter me into the drawing, I'd like to watch the dvd, groetjes van Maartje

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  36. I'd love to be in the running for the DVD =D

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  37. Love the dress you are copying! I haven't seen anything like this before. Good luck, not that you really need it. :)

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  38. Such a coincidence - on the way home (from the fabric shop) this morning I was contemplating trying an FBA on a Burda pattern I bought years ago and which (of course) didn't fit. PLEASE enter me in your draw!

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  39. I recently bought the original PP fitting DVD and have found it helpful to understand better how to do alterations. I would love to have your newest DVD, too, Debbie, so please enter me into your drawing. And thank you for doing this.

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  40. Hi Debbie...no need to enter me in the drawing....I usually need a Small bust adjustment, LOL!

    I think the dress is amazing, and you'll be able to knock it off easily with your skills....your sewing is always perfect.

    I'm wondering though...the part about the flip-flops. You mean casual sandals, right? I first thought you meant those foam things we wear all wear to the pool or beach (silly me). When you do get new sandals to pair with the dress, please show them to us...I love shoes..buying them, wearing them...etc, etc...and seeing what others choose to complete their outfits...

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  41. Hi Debbie, I've learned so much from you about FBAs, and I would learn even more from the DVD. Thanks for offering this!

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  42. Please enter me in your draw for the DVD.
    I would also like to tell you that your blog has been inspiring me for quite a while. We are similar shapes (from your garment pictures) and I've been referring to your "sewing and pattern tips" section for about a year now, as I attempt to teach myself that YES, I can do these adjustments and YES I need to do them to EVERY pattern I make. I used to make the patterns right out of the envelope, and of course, they were ALL wadders.
    Thank you Debbie.
    Hope you continue your great blog forever!
    Elaine

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  43. Please enter me in the giveaway. I have FBA phobia!

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  44. I would love to be entered into this giveaway :) Thanks for all the great tutorials you do!

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  45. Please enter me. Learning to do an FBA would be so much easier if I could watch it being done. Thanks!

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  46. Please enter me, thank you so much!

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  47. Please add me to the drawing too! I aspire to have my garments look as good as yours!
    Thanks!!!

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  48. You are such an inspiration - I've been following your website, pattern reviews, and blog for years :-) And now giving away such a prize to the rest of us ... so cool! Please enter me, too. Thanks!

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  49. The DVD sounds awesome, please enter me!

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  50. I need so much help with FBAs it's not even funny! I bought FFRP, but a visual is always helpful for me.

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  51. after sewing for many years i'm finally tackling fitting LOL.I would love to win the dvd and i promise it would be watched and used many many times!

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  52. Hi Debbie! DOn't enter me into the drawing 'cause I already have the DVD. I just wanted to say how cute that denim dress is. I think I might pick up that pattern too. I never would have looked at it if you hadn't mentioned it. Our figures are so similar though if it looks cute on you it'll (hopefully) look cute on me too! LOL!

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  53. I'd like to be included in the drawing for the DVD! Love your blog and all of the fitting tips/tutorials!

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  54. What a cute dress! I think your pattern looks like an excellent match. I heard good things about the DVD and Marta is a fantastic teacher (I took a class from her last fall). Please don't enter me in your drawing, I clearly need a DVD on SBA, not FBA! lol

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  55. Thanks for offering this DVD. Please enter me in the drawing!

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  56. I have been reading your blog for about a year and learned so much. Thanks! But I am still having trouble with FBA. Please enter me in your drawing.

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  57. Debbie, after I thought about this a little more I realized I will probably never actually USE the DVD other than to view it. Please withdraw my name. I think I would be embarrassed to win it since I am unlikely to do anything with it. Thanks.

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  58. Hi, Debbie! I'd love to be entered in your draw. I've mastered a basic FBA (thanks in part to your tutorials), but still struggle on the more complicated ones. I'm looking forward to seeing your dress. Good work on prodding your mojo. :)

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  59. Yes, Debbie. Enter me in the giveaway.

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  60. Please include me in your drawing. Thank you!

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  61. That dress is adorable - now you've got me thinking about knocking it off! Please enter me in the drawing for the DVD.

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  62. Love that dress, too, Deb! Please choose me to win the FBA DVD. Come on, random number generator....

    Kathy B.

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  64. Please enter me in your drawing. Thanks so much!

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  65. Please enter me in the drawing. Thanks!

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  66. I don't need the DVD, but do need a "full butt adjustment" instead! Love the dress! You can knock it off easily. I love loose fitting dresses in the summer. Cooler than capris.

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  67. Count me in too! Thanks, Debbie.

    SherryV

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  68. Please enter me in your giveaway!
    Thanks for offering it!
    elley at zakula dot com

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  69. What a great offer! I'm in.

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  70. I would love to be entered. I have a couple of their books and actually YOU are the person that told me (through your blog) that I needed to do an FBA for things to fit me. Since then it has been a love affair ever since and I can make things fit now! valeriebeads at gmail dot com is the email.

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  71. Really really love that dress,Debbie,and I can just see it on you. I'm even a little green because I think my time for wearing a dress like that is past... :-{{{

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  72. Please enter me in the drawing. Thanks.

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  73. Put my name in the hat. Love the blog. From another Floridian.

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  74. Please enter me too.
    Love the dress and can't wait to see it done up.
    Corinne

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  75. I too would love the DVD. I think I could learn a lot from it.

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  76. I really enjoy your blog and would love to be entered into your drawing. Thank you.

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  77. Please enter me! I wasn't aware it exist. I have all of the other DVDs and books.

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  78. I love the dress, love the pattern. I bet it turns out perfect. Thanks for being an awesome long distance teacher. :) I'd love to watch the dvd. I still struggle with the FBA.

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  79. I have such trouble trying to fit my "mature figure". I would love a shot at this DVD.

    Thank You!

    Mel

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  80. Hi Debbie,
    I LOVE that dress and how you're going to make it. Can't wait to see the progress you make on it. Please enter me in the drawing. I am enjoying getting my skills up to speed. Thanks!

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  81. I would love the DVD

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  82. Hi,
    I regularly read your blog - love it and I learn a lot. I would love a chance to win the DVD - thank you for the offer!!
    Blessings,
    Patti

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  83. I am FBA challenged. Please enter me in your drawing. Thanks

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  84. Don't enter me as I have it already. Thank you for being so generous as it is a good one. I love the denim dress idea-can't wait to see how it does. I am so bare and have so much $1 fabric that any pattern I get to sew will be a stab at a wearable muslin even if it is a wadder. I am away from home all week (and last week) babysitting so not even wadders/muslins happening with me. mssewcrazy

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  85. Please enter me in your draw too! Thanks.

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  86. I didn't follow your directions on my first comment...yes, please enter me in the drawing. I love all P/P materials! Making FBA on twist tops and such sounds intriguing, but I know you've done this in a tutorial somewhere :-)

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  87. I'm sure I'd learn LOTS from the DVD! I have so much to learn. Thanks for the give away.

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  88. The dress is adorable. I can't wait to see your version. Please enter me in the dvd drawing. Thanks so much!

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  89. I would love the DVD! I am learning FBA after reading your blog. I think I have the simple FBA figured out but I usually wear princess seams and this is a little more difficult I think. Or else I just need more practice. Heather JM

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  90. Please enter me in the drawing, I can use all the help I can get. Love your blog, I learn a lot! Thanks.

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  91. Please, please, please enter me. Thank you for your generosity!

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  92. Hi Debbie, That dress is adorable and I look forward to seeing your version of it! I had not seen that dress on MyShape.
    Thanks for doing the drawing and please count me it!

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  93. Cute dress, can't wait to see a photo. I'd love to see the DVD if I'm lucky enough to win.

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  95. Hi, I just found your blog, but have certainly enjoyed it so far. Please enter me in the drawing and I look forward to your next post.

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  96. Hi Debbie, please enter me in the drawing too. Sounds like a great DVD! Glad that it jumpstarted your sewing mojo. :)
    Good luck on the dress!

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  97. Please enter me in your drawing--
    LOVE the dress and your pattern seems like it would work well for it--good luck!

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  98. I love the dress. I've never owned a denim dress before and for the life of me, I can't figure out why not! What a great idea.

    I've only just started delving into the realm of FBAs - mainly helped along by your tutorials, so thanks for that. I'd love the dvd if I were to win.

    Kelley

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  99. Please enter me into your giveaway. Thanks for the review - I'm intrigued.

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  100. Please enter me in the drawing. Thank you!!

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  101. Well, Deb, since I don't have the book and still haven't figured out HOW to do a FBA, I sure would enjoy this DVD. Hopefully I'll be a lucky winner..but if not, that's okay and I'll still love your blog!

    Kathleen in IL

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  102. Janina the MomBeast11:59 PM, June 05, 2009

    Hello, I enjoy learning things on your blog and seeing your creations. (My mojo has fled at the moment as well, so blog reading is as close as I've come to my sewing machine for some time.) The FBA is a new technique for me, so I think I'll search out that FBA dvd. (Unless I win your giveaway, that is!)

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  103. Hi Debbie. Love your dress. Please enter me in your draw. Thanks for doing this. I've learned so much from you.
    Helen

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  104. I am going to cross my fingers that I win this one! Have looked at it and thought about ordering it several times now. I have lots of info on FBAs but have never managed to do one properly yet!

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  105. Gosh this is one I would absolutely love, not for me, mind you, but my dds -- and I'm not sure where they got their busts!!!
    Oh, and I'm very happy to see that your sewing mojo is back1!!

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  106. Debbie,

    Enjoy your blog and appreciate the tutorials. Want to start sewing because I need a FBA and can't find clothes that fit. Please enter consider me for the giveaway.

    Thanks.

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  107. If I'm not too late, please enter me in the giveaway!

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