It sounds like you're learning sewing skills on some ambitious outfits...or ones that you have high expections for.

Maybe it would be worthwhile to work on some basic patterns, making a few of the same thing in different fabrics just to get the process down.

My sewing is soooo not impressive, but my roommate has taught me some lessons. She's great at it. Maybe a stitch'n'bitch this summer would help everyone. :)

~k