One question and an observation:

When you're talking about using the iron, do we need to make the distinction between "ironing" (iron in motion) and "pressing" (iron held in place)?

The observation is about pins. I started trying to get used to the sewing machine again the other day and pinned up some fabric with pins that I bought in a plastic blister pack from a big box store...I won't use the brand name on the pins but it rhymes with "winger". Did they suck! I understand your advice to use good pins...but how the hell does a manufacturer screw up pins? They would seem to be a pretty simple piece of engineering...how can they manage to make bad ones? What a world!

Best

AA