Sewing-Machine Recommendations for a Klutzy Beginner?

[catinthefunnyhat]

I finished the giant tutu last night, and sadly I have put the machine, fabric, costumes, and related toys away until next Monday

My in-laws (whom I love) are coming to visit on Thursday, until Monday. Although they're staying at a hotel down the road, they'll spend at least one afternoon/evening visiting here, so the living room has to be tidy and have space to manoeuvre. AND I need to spend the next few evenings cleaning/preparing for their visit, not sewing.

So sad...

[theCryptofishist]

Just remember that at their funerals, you'll be seething with resentment at all that praise that they are getting, when they made you miss a few precious evening's sewing.

[catinthefunnyhat]

Just remember that at their funerals, you'll be seething with resentment at all that praise that they are getting, when they made you miss a few precious evening's sewing.

Oh, absolutely. That and all of the other massive sacrifices I've made for them. Like, uh, that time I had to.... uh... sleep on a hide-a-bed! Yeah, and, uh... that other time, when I had to... um... go out in the rain!

You'll note that this wasn't even a Dammit Bill post. I'm actually excited for their visit. But I probably should talk to their lawyer about getting special consideration in their will for sacrificing this sewing time.

[AntiM]

Oh oh. Simplicity patterns 5 for $5 today at JoAnns. Yes, yes, I did.

[delle]

Poo. No JoAnns here (not that I could have gone if I wanted to)

Hope you have a great visit with your inlaws, Cat. Thing about times when you CAN'T sew is that the creation continues in your brain nonetheless and things have a way of melding and morphing in ways they just wouldn't if you hadn't been forced to lay down the tools and just dream. So, Yay! Everybody wins!!!

Ratty, Ratty, Ratty.

Sadly, after seeing your pics I realize that this is no longer something to aspire to, as I guess I'm already there.

Now.

Putting Cat's story and yours together, I somehow have to bulldoze out said rooms for guests coming in on the weekend to actually stay over. This means the bed has to be horizontal(ish) at least, and unusable as a surface for holding other stuff.

Let the games begin!!!

[EspressoDude]

maybe this is "Work in Progress" but here is the shorts. Paper patterns from a shredded pair of 501s. Made the black ones several years ago. Now the siver shorts:

[EspressoDude]

more shorts in progress

[BoyScoutGirl]

So, after months of watching Freecycle like a hawk... I got a sewing machine today, for free! A 1971 or 1972 Kenmore - made in Japan, definitely all-metal parts, and already in a collapsible sewing table to boot!

I don't have any spools of thread to practice with, but the light works and everything looks to be moving correctly. I'm having a heck of a time finding a users' manual online, but there do appear to be a couple of model-specific "How to" videos online, so that should help.

I'm excited!

[Ratty]

Congrats....Post the name & number of your new machine. If anyone has a users manual you may get a copy.

[BoyScoutGirl]

It's a Sears Kenmore 1410 sewing machine (158.14100) - I've found some websites that sell the manual for $10 but so far no free pdf. I have also found manuals for very similar machines, so I'm not too worried about the basics. I'll be taking it to the repair place up the street for a tune-up and can ask them as well.

[catinthefunnyhat]

EspressoDude: Those shorts... so shiny... amazing! Nice work. I approve of the use of bulldog clips as pins I have an odd love for bulldog clips. Office supplies in general, I guess.

ensmismada: Congrats and good luck in your hunt for a manual.

[Ratty]

I love office supplies too. Those clips are all over my kitchen holding bags closed. When I'm sewing something too thick to pin, I hold it in place with forceps. (I still have some left over from the '70's').

[trilobyte]

Nice work, Edude!

[delle]

Those shorts are amazing!

Everything I make LOOKS homemade. And not in the good way - like "Oh my god those are so UNIQUE"

....mine are like "Oh my god those are so UNIQUE"

It's an important difference.

Crotches and flies are way beyond my level.

I'm VERY impressed!!!!

[Box Burner]

Get this book:



This is not a book of patterns. Rather It is a kind of encyclopedia of sewing techniques. I have (or had) an older copy of this book and taught myself to sew with it. Want to know how to sew in a waistband or pleat a skirt? There is a page for each of those with step by step instructions, as well as just about everything else you might want to do. If you buy only one book on sewing this is the one.

Don't know if Lechatnoir has posted in here but I believe that he does all his sewing on an antique Singer treadle machine.

[AntiM]

I have my mom's Vogue sewing books, and one big sewing book which may be that one. Good resource.

I took mandatory sewing in 8th grade, the boys took woodshop. I guess a sewing machine is a power tool, isn't it?

[Box Burner]

I lust after a programmable Viking, but it is $5K.

My mom had one of those. she bought it at a yard sale for $40.00. Unfortunately it burnt up in the fire.