Jen here - I've nearly finished a patchworked bedcover (my first, so a bit scrappy looking but already adored), and need to add a thin batting and backing. It was only at this point that I looked through my sewing books again (started at 101 Ways to Use Your First Sewing Machine and worked my way along the shelf!), and the concensus between them was that I would benefit from a walking foot for my machine to pull the layers through evenly. Now I'm a huge fan of buying my sewing supplies on line, but there are certain technical areas where I still need someone to explain to me exactly what I'm buying.

So visited my local sewing store for the first time, and was blown away by how friendly, helpful and knowledgeable the owner was. Before I'd even finished trying to explain what I needed, she had magically produced the exact make and model I needed, and was showing me how to attach and use it. She also gave me useful extra tips to get the most from it (did you know a walking foot is also great for slippery fabrics such as voile, as it grips the fabric to keep your sewing straight?).

Of course I left clutching more than a walking foot - couldn't resist stocking up on thread, spare rotary blades and a couple of yards of fabric. But I also left feeling a little more confident - I have a local, friendly and reliable source of sewing knowledge that I can visit any time for advice, tips and even classes (plus the must-have irresistible purchases!). Maybe these local, independant sewing stores fill the gap left by the mothers and grandmothers who once passed down their skills through the generations?

I'm just glad I was finally dragged away from my computer screen for a while to chat, laugh, learn and discover a link to the world of sewing that I'll never find on the web.