Hi folks! I just wanted to re-post this tutorial directly into this thread. My MSN account has been deleted but I had saved all my tutorial pics on my own computer. I'm reposting them here for y'all. Each 'thumbnail' can be clicked on to see the large view. I decided to try this method of posting a tutorial instead of links. Hope you find it works suitably. Just a note to folks that have recently commented that they find POP too soft to work with... after the POP dries completely - as in no longer cool to the touch - it will be VERY hard. I just tried to break a mold I no longer wanted (it had the cheesecloth imbedded into it) ... and it was very hard to break! After a few attempts I gave up. I figure it wanted to live! lol Anyway, just thought you might like to know that it indeed becomes a very strong product once it fully dries. Marly Part One \- POP Click on 'thumbnails' to view larger picture Part Two \- Silicone Click on 'thumbnails' to view larger picture Part Three \- Troubleshooting Click on 'thumbnails' to view larger picture

fini

Anele, I can totally relate. I made panels last year for my living room. Let me start this by saying that I do not sew. My mom who is quite skilled at sewing, tried to teach me in my youth, but I never made it past learning how to sew on a button. A couple of years ago, my 12 y/o got a sewing machine for her birthday (a really nice one, not a kids' machine). She uses it for making fun stuff like purses, pillows, etc. Well, I decided that I was going to try to make panels - I mean, how hard could it be to sew rectangles?! A friend of mine offered to assist - she was making some panels herself. I had the fabric already (had fallen in love with a fabric I saw online then stumbled over it on clearance at a local fabric store so bought it and saved it, thinking I'd have someone else make my panels for me). Anyway, my friend walked me through it - helped me measure the fabric and the lining, then showed me how to pin. I have to say, the hardest part was all the pinning! Making sure that the hems were all evenly pinned took forever. If I remember correctly, I hemmed the bottoms of the panels and lining (separately) first, then laid the lining onto the panels and sewed then sewed the side and top hems into place over the lining so at the bottom, my lining hangs loose at the bottom but is sewn into the panel at the top and sides (not sure I'm making any sense). As a mom of four, plus a dog and cat, finding a convenient place to lay everything out was a pain. My kids are all in school (youngest was in kindy at the time) so I had to do it while they were at school. I only had one space in the house that was wide and long enough where I could fully lay the panel out to do all the cutting and pinning then I just draped them over my dining room chairs until I had time to do the sewing. I just did them one by one but it took me months! Mainly b/c I didn't set aside the time to do it, not b/c it was time consuming. I then used my kitchen table (I have a large farm table) for the actual sewing. All in all, it was a fun project. I was so proud of myself that I decided at some point, I want to take a sewing class. Unfortunately, I haven't taken out the sewing machine since, but I do plan on making a couple of pillows (nothing fancy) soon. And I have to say, my mom was SHOCKED when she came over and saw the panels hanging and I told her that *I* made them. She couldn't believe it, especially when she saw that I took the time and lined them! Here is an old picture. The panels aren't hanging nicely here and have since been fixed, but you can get the idea of my finished product! Good luck with yours!

Thank you Jan. I am looking forward to making one. Happy Thanksgiving. Marty