thanks for all the input.what fun to have so many people joining in

Wish I knew that when I was making a bridal gown for DGD's 18" doll! Learned a lot and had better success with the bridesmaid dress. These kids are killin' me!

for the slippery fabrics you will want to iron a fusable lightweight woven interfacing to the wrong side. this keeps the fabrics from stretching and sliding all over the place while you are working with them places like fabric.com has a large variety of 100% cotton velvets, and other specialty fabrics, you do not have to use stretchy ones but it is do-able if the ones you love are stretchy.