We are well and truly into the new year now and all I have been thinking about are things to do this year. This includes holidays, the next bank holiday and of course clothes I plan on makings :-) When making clothes I always seem to think I have all necessary Haberdashery items, that is until I start! I am always missing the exact shade of thread or need new needles for my machine. One of the great things about making/altering clothes is that you end up with exactly what you want. You can also grab a real bargain as well. Often in the high street certain clothes that go into sale are damaged and only need minor repair, such as when a dress needs a zip replacing. This is such a simple job and zips are not too expensive either. Another very popular item with our Haberdashery section are the self cover buttons. These really are amazing and are perfect for adding that finishing touch to your dressmaking project.  Self cover buttons come in both plastic and metal and vary in sizes from 1mm up to 38mm. A good tip for using these is to get the self cover button tool. It really does make life a lot easier and also quicker. I hope you have enjoyed my blog entry today and it has given you some thoughts for your own dressmaking plans for 2013. If you are new to sewing or are coming back to it after years away do remember it is a life skill and something you will always use. I have had hours of fun and fulfilment whilst sewing and I hope you enjoy it as much as I do. Do also to remember to follow us on our Facebook and Twitter pages . We often have competitions on these pages and it's a great way to keep in touch with us, Until next time, Calico Laine