Hello all!  I had a quick question regarding materials to make these stuffed toys and things out of.  I see that a lot of people use felt materials but I'm wondering if this is craft felt or wool felt?  I've heard that craft felt doesn't hold up if washed so I would imagine it would not be good for making children's toys out of.  Is this true?  If someone could explain the difference or give me some suggestions as to what materials to use instead I would be very grateful!  Thanks in advance!

Hello all!  I have been inspired by la la laurrenn's fabulous bookcase and I have purchased most of the supplies to build something very similar. 
The trouble is, I have never attempted a project of this magnitude and have no idea how to go about sanding and painting it.  What kind of sander to buy, paper to use etc.  Also, I have heard that you must sand "with the grain" of the wood, but I'm not sure I even know what that means. 
 I wanted the finished product to be white and was planning on using a spray paint.  Is this a bad idea?  Should I just use regular paint?  Do I need to seal the wood first? 
I'm sorry for the bombardment of questions but I really am clueless.  Any hints or suggestions would be very much appreciated!  Thanks in advance!

Hello all!!  First off, I would like to say that I am extremely new to Craftster and I adore everything about it!  The creativity levels of all you ladies !and gentlemen! (I am constantly assuming that everyone on here is a women, apparently I am a sexist pig, please forgive me) never cease to wow and amaze me!  That being said, I would like to ask a quick question that I desperately hope someone can help me with.  I need a pattern for a cutesy, shortish (knee length or even mid calf is great, but nothing to the floor) dress with SHORT SLEEVES.  I live in Texas where it is roughly a billion degrees most of the time and there are plenty of patterns for adorable halter dresses or sleeveless, strapless, or small strapped dresses, but I can find little or nothing close to what I am looking for.  I absolutely detest showing my arms and apparently this has doomed me to wear dowdy grandma dresses for the rest of my life.  I have found the following pictures online of dresses that I like, but it doesn't necessarily have to look anything like these.  I went crosseyed at the pattern catalogue table at Joann's last night trying to find something suitable.  Does anyone have any ideas?  I am a huge fan of the 40s and 50s rockabilly style clothing, but suggestions from any time period would be much appreciated.  Thanks in advance!