I am not sure if this is the right place to post this, but i have been doing several personal swaps to trade for fabric. Generally i have had great sucess, but i have two people that have flaked on me. they both have said that there packages were sent out weeks ago, but now i have emailed them both twice asking about it because they haven't arrived. i can't get them to respond!!! i sent them what i agreed to send them and i paid for postage.

although, i made these agreements on my own, i think that craftster members should be aware of who does not stick to their end of the bargain when it comes to personal swaps. so is there a place to post this info. or do i need to let admin know? 

So my little boy, who is 2 was going to be a pirate. I bought the coolest fabric and everything. But he really likes Monsters Inc. And my dh who NEVER dresses up says that if I make him a costume he will dress up with the kids....so I am taking this opportunity to be amusing I am making him a Sully costume and I want to make my baby Mike. Now I can get fur for sully's costume, but since Mike is rather circular do you wondeful ladies have any suggestions on how to construct this costume?

Ok we just moved into this new house a few months ago...and I am finally getting the itch to start painting/wallpapering, etc. I have some really cute Blues Clues wallpaper border that I want to use in the kids' bathroom. The problem is this - the self-adhesive glue that they put on the back is crap. It sticks to the wall fine until someone takes a shower and the hot water causes it to come loose and fall off - constantly. What do you recommend to keep it up there?

I sell on ebay frequently. So I know what shipping actually costs....I know that a bunch of you had said that you like to get fabric on ebay because you get a ridiculous amount for a little bit of money. So far that has only happened to me once or twice. I usually find that even though I get a good deal on the item itself, shipping is outrageous. So....

how do you guys find the great buys?
what keywords do you use?
what are some of your favorite ebay sellers/stores?

Anyone been here? I am going to San Jose on Wednesday and was thinking of diverting the trip a bit to stop here, but don't want to be wasting time. Does anyone know of any other good fabric or craft stores in San Jose? I know that there is  a Jo-ann's, Michael's and two Hancock's. But I can go to those locally. I would like to find some new places with nice affordable fabrics.

ok, I have sewn canvas a dozen times. Now I am trying to make a messenger bag. I am using a somewhat unconventional method..i am taking each piece of canvas and a piece of the lining ( i am using a cotton lining) and sewing them together on three sides right sides together. but for some reason it doesn't matter what thread or stitch i use, when i put any strain on the seam, like turning the piece right side out the canvas just peels right off like it was never sewn....any suggestions?? what am i doing wrong?

Well, this is my first shoe attempt. The colors could stand to be a bit deeper...might do that later. These were my daughter's pink shoes that were written all over.

Before:



After:

[90% off]

The new sale started today at Jo-ann's and it goes without saying that I was there when they opened the doors.  This wasn't a great sale on fabric bty, but their remnant pieces are 90% off!!!!! I still managed to spend $55, but for that I ended up with 86 yards of remnant fabric!!! WOO HOO!!! We are off to Lake Tahoe tomorrow and I always make a shopping trip to Carson City so I will have to check out Jo-ann's up there too!

for the life of me I can't remember which are supposed to be slimming? I am getting ready to start a new skirt and I don't know if it would be better to place the stripes horizontal or vertical?.

I want to make a hat/sun visor, but can't find a suitable pattern. Has anyone made one of these yet? I do not knit or crochet so I am only interested in sewing one. Any suggestions?