Wednesday, January 12, 2011

I'm Gonna Sew

There are so many reasons I needed to have a new sewing machine. When I was probably around 12-13 I learned to sew on my mom's foot pedal sewing machine and it was a Singer. When I married and had my little girl I began to sew her's and my clothing. I loved making those pretty little lacy and frilly dresses. Somewhere along the way I just stopped sewing. I've missed it and am so glad to have a new machine. Well the new ones are all computerized so we shall see how easy it is. I got a Brother from Wal Mart with 50 stitches.

 Check out the instructions for just winding the bobbin. Steps 1 - 16. That seems like  a lot just for the bobbin but guess what it isn't wound yet. I got started with it and got sidetracked.

Found this fabric on the clearance. It is yellow linen but forgot what the waffle fabric is. I was thinking curtains. These two fabrics look good together. We'll see because I might say one thing and then go off in another direction. I tend to do that sometime.

As with the fabric I just can't make up my mind. I bought 3 patterns. Bought these two first. I really like the shirt pattern but it won't do with the linen. It is too heavy for this shirt.
 I liked both of these curtain patterns. Don't laugh because I bought curtain patterns. I know that some of you will say just cut and fold and sew for curtains but it's been a long time for this old girl to get back up on that wagon. My window in my livingroom is huge. About 105" wide. That will require 4 average size panels for just the one window. I have figured almost 3 yards for each panel. That would be 6 yards for just the panels for the livingroom. But then I want valance too. Now that is going to be a lot of fabric and could definately go out and buy curtains cheaper than I can make them. But I am going to see what I can find at reasonable prices.

My daughter recommended (actually she put this in my hand) I read this book and I have started it and am reading it. Very good book. Thank you April.

Have a great day everybody!

I am thankful for the sunshine today.

29 comments:

Little Messy Missy said...

"SEW" jelouse...I am sewing on my grandma 68 Kenmore :0) hey it still works great!!!

Gatsbys Gardens said...

Hi Becca,

I used to sew a lot also, now mostly drapes and pillows. I did get a new machine a few years ago and I still need to pull out the book even to thread the needle, much more complicated than my Sear's Kenmore.

Eileen

Khaki said...

My mom wisely insisted I purchase something 'practical' with my high school graduation money. So I bought a Kenmore sewing machine in the late 70's. My husband upgraded me to a new Brother a few years back for my quilting studio. I am blessed to be able to create with my hands. Thank you to my Mom and my Home Economics teacher, Mrs. Mann who made sure I could sew a straight seam and have the patience to rip out and resew as needed! Thanks for the memory.

Rosemary said...

What a wonderful machine.. does look like a challenge to learn all the things it will do but am sure you will be merrily sewing before long. Looking forward to seeing what you create

Diane said...

I also learnt to sew on my Mum's old singer tradle machine, those were the days!! I have a machine now that I bought about 20 years ago, it is called a Simple and that is exactly what it is, no fancy stitches other than zigzag and buttonholes! I am looking forward to retirement in France when I may have the time, and space, to make clothes for myself once more. I have got an overlocker as well so that would get more use than the machine I think. Take care. Diane

tinahead81 said...

can't wait to see your creations!! i was just looking @ that machine the other day! lol

Jennifer AKA keewee said...

I learned to sew on my Grandmother's treadle Singer sewing machine. I spent hours sewing clothes for my dolls.

Patsy said...

How nice to have a new machine to play with. Happy sewing

Carol said...

Congrats on the new machine!!! I used to sew all the time and have gotten away from it too. Have also been thinking about taking it up again. I love that shirt pattern!!!

Lemon Verbena Lady said...

OMG, they have my kind of pattern, Becca FOR DUMMIES! I have some horror stories from Home Ec classes. Do they even have them any more? Looks like you are going to have fun. If only you can wind the bobbin! I'll check back!

Betsy Banks Adams said...

Glad you have some sunshine, Becca. We still have snow on the ground here --and it's still cloudy and flurrying... I'm ready for a little sunshine.

Glad you got a new sewing machine. Goodness--they have really made changes in them through the years.... Mercy Me.... Don't know if I could use one now!!!!

Love your new fabric... Be sure and show us the finished product.
Hugs,
Betsy

Avalon's Garden and Mewsings of Garden Cottage Cats said...

Hello Becca,
Oh it has been such a long time since i have done any sewing. The new machines look so complicated, and i hate directions.... I guess once you're up and running it's all easy to do.
Good luck with your New machine, can't wait to see what you make.
Have Fun with it ~

Diane said...

Hi Becca, Our house in the UK is what we call a 2 up 2 down. Kitchen and lounge downstairs and 2 bedrooms and the bathroom upstairs. It is VERY small. Nigel calls it the rabbit hutch :)

There is a block of 4 houses and we are in the middle so we get the noise of the neighbours through both side walls. The one side they party a lot and drink all night!!!! At the front we have a small area that the previous owners gravelled and at the back they paved. OK so we do not have to cut the grass but.... Hopefully we will not be here for much longer and France will be our only home. We had a bungalow before, but when we wanted to buy in France, we seriously had to downsize to get the money needed :(

Never mind I look forward to France in the very near future. Diane

Kelsie from Our Country Home and Studio Photography said...

Yay Becca...Congrates on a new sewing machine...I have a little Singer and a Project Runway Brother, I think it is the one that proceeds yours by looking at your picture...

To be honest I prefer my Singer because she is tougher and more reliable, but the computerized stitching is an awesome fun feature, so my girls sit side by side on my desk.

It is funny you would post about a sewing machine this week, I took pix of vintage Singers yesterday to post this week too.

Blessings Kelsie

TxFarmhouse said...

Hey, at least you got steps 1-16! Usually, I find companies give one or two steps and leave out all the "how-to's". Even color coded instructions don't work for me. I am one of those Dummies!

Tootsie said...

my mom sews like no body's business...but me...I don't do much more than a straight line. I actually stapled a pair of pants together and handed them in for my sewing class in school....boy was I grounded!!! lol
I wish I had the talent many of you ladies have with fabric and a machine...I just wing it and hope for the best.

Infatuated with Homes and Gardens said...

Hi Becca,
Thankyou for leaving such a lovley comment on my blog,I have now enjoyed looking around your post ,I cannot sew and I did not even know they had patterns for curtains what a great idea ,I am sure there is much more to them than fold and sew, I look forward to seeing your finished results.
~Sharon~

Carla said...

My my what a fancy new-fangled thing!! Looks like fun! SEW much fun:). Great way to spend the winter, creating on the inside. Congrats!

Sue @ Not the Good Scissors! said...

Congratulations on getting back into sewing. I love to sew. I am most content when I am in my sewing room. I jokingly say that sewing is my therapy! And fabric shopping is the best. I still think they need a 12 step program for fabric! LOL!
Hugs, Sue

Brenda Pruitt said...

To tell you the truth I can't follow a pattern for squat. I make up my own. I could never wind that bobbin with all those instructions!
Brenda

Daydream Living said...

Hi Becca!
I love your new machine! (and miss Walmart), I start my sewing class beginning of March, so I hope you will show the end results.
Have a good weekend,
Maureen

Unknown said...

You & Sherry @ countrywingsinphoenix can hold 'newbie' hands, she just got a new sewing machine, also. Enjoy, Becca ... anxious to see what you create.

Colder than patooty here, snow still on the ground ... looking for more to arrive shortly.

Hope all is well & you have a beautiful week.

TTFN ~
Hugs, Marydon

Sunny said...

Changing your mind about what you are going to use the fabric for is called being creative. An artist, especially when using a creative medium, may change her mind several times before the project is finished. Keep being creative.

The Rule Maker said...

Becca,

Just stopped by to say hello. I love this post! My resolution for 2011 is to teach myself how to sew. My mother is a wonderful crafts woman and creates the most beautiful pieces…from quilts to knitted hats. My hope is that I can slow down and learn to sew!

Connie said...

Hi Becca! Wow! That looks like a really nice sewing machine. Good for you! I hope you enjoy getting to use it. :)

Jen's Journey said...

Looks really nice! Wish I could sew....believe it or not, my husband can!

siteseer said...

I'm still using the machine I bought in 1975. My hubby is feeling guilty because he's spending so much on motorcycles and the rv that he was looking at a machine last week when we were in the store. He comes back and says 'they have machines for $125' to which I responded 'I have that machine at home'. Hope he doesn't think he's getting off that cheaply after everything he's been spending lol. We bought fabric to reupholster the bar stools at the kitchen counter... it was on sale for $6.00/yard. We ended up buying enough for chair pads and place mats too. I'll probably never get a new machine because I really want one of those fancy ones for quilting.... nope, that's definitely out of the budget.

Corner Gardener Sue said...

I'm glad to see you are sewing again. How cool that you sewed clothes for you and your daughter!

I still have the sewing machine I bought in the late 60s or early 70s. I haven't used it for years. I know the tension needs to be adjusted, because a toddler who was at our house in the 80s messed with it, and when I went to mend something, the bottom threads were a big tangle. I have it dug out now, and am thinking about seeing if I can adjust it myself. I was never good at sewing a straight line, but I'd like to try to make some small things, like mug rugs.

Corner Gardener Sue said...

I forgot to say that book looks good. I'm thinking I've heard Walsh speak before.

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