Back on the machine

Last month I cut out the pieces for the dress I am making for Sissy.  It is from the Japanese pattern book I mentioned previously.  I FINALLY got a table for my machine so I was able to sit down and get started on it last Sunday.  I am nearly done- just need to finish the armholes, make buttonholes and hem the skirt.  Yesterday (Monday) I had to finally put it down as I was getting mad at my machine.  I was sewing in the bias tape into the armhole and the stiches were just all over the place.  I was wishing I never got rid of my old machine (and just had it fixed after my cats knocked it on the ground)- and bought the machine I have now.  It is a Singer like my old machine- but it is not made as well (plastic vs. metal for one thing.)  My aunt gave my previous machine when I was 13 or 14.  I made my ASB Ball and Senior Prom dresses on it.  I used it to sew my garments for my clothing construction class I took in college.  I loved that machine.  I was so wrong to think that something new and shiny would be better.

I have decided when I get back to the states I am going to invest in a good machine (and maybe steal my mother's old Kenmore from here while I am at it- tricky tensions knobs and all.)  So far Berninas are sounding good to me.  I just have to decide what kind of machine and what features I want.  Oh- I am going to commission my Hubby to make me a proper sewing table as well.  We have talked about it in the past- just never got around to it.

After I put the dress down and shut my machine off I noticed that it wasn't threaded correctly.  Doh!  Maybe that's why it was not giving me nice stitches.  I laughed at myself then.  It is kind of funny the that serger's thread was also a little out of whack as well.  I  think maybe Sissy was checking out my equipment- though she denies it. :-)  I am going to give her a go on my mini machine soon- she is eager.

I still want a new machine of course.

Sewing with Sissy

Yesterday I made up a project for my daughter to do.  I bought a bunch of felt a while back from Fabric.com (she picked out the colors.)  I let her pick what she wanted to sew.  She decided to make a purse.  I had her cut out shapes to sew on the front of the purse.  I should have thought of using felt before.  It is 'sew' easy for her to use!  She had a ball decorating and sewing her new purse.  We even got out the Bedazzler (it's cheesy but the girls love it.)
I machine sewed the purse together when she was done.  It is the first "purse" or bag I have ever made.  I am now wondering why I haven't done so before?  It was so much fun.  Of course the felt is super duper easy- so using heavier fabrics would be more challenging for sure.  I had to remind Sister that the purse will not hold up well and not to put too heavy of objects in it.  She was so proud!  Of course she had to take it to school today.  Hopefully it made it through the school day. :-)

I love that she enjoyed the project.  I told her we could make pin cushions next.  I think for her birthday coming up in May I could get her her own sewing kit or basket.  They have some really cute sewing kits here she would love.  A basket would be good too- something to put scraps in that she can sew on.  I remember when I was a little girl I always begged my grandma for her scraps.  I started hoarding fabric at a young age. ;-)

Like I said- sewing the purse made me want to try making one for myself.  It reminded me of these cute purses sold by Persnickety Designs in Bellingham, WA.  They had the cutest bags!  I am not sure if they are still in business or not- I think maybe they closed their shop and starting selling on Etsy.  Here is an example of one of their bags.  They are made of a kind of vinyl/leather like material.  I am sure if I did some research I could find out what that stuff is called.  I wonder how hard it is to sew on? 

Piggies & Jammies

I admit I have not sewn much recently.  I have started teaching English to some local Japanese women.  It is in my home- so I have been working on cleaning my house so that it is presentable.  But tomorrow I am going to buy a table to put my machines on so I keep them out and handy.  I used to have a sewing table- but it was an old one where you put the machine in and can drop it upside down to store.  My machine didn't work with that.  So I had a big piece of plywood over the top.  It was ugly- but it worked.  My dream is to have a beautiful sewing table.  Of course I can't order one now that I am overseas- they won't ship- and if they do it is way too expensive.
I am sad to say I never finished that Valentines jumper for Sister in time.  The sad part is all that is left is the straps and buttons.  I hope to finish this weekend- she will still love it.  I have the pieces cut out for one of the dresses from the Japanese patterns I bought- also for Sister.  Hopefully I can get started on that as well.  After that I plan to sew for me. :)

I finally got my pictures to upload so here are a couple of things I made last month:

Miss Hogs 'n Kisses- the sock piggie.  Sister LOVED it and took it school everday for a week.  Now it is a bit dirty and worn- but here you can see her brand new and clean.  I got the idea from a really cute book my mom sent us called Stray Sock Sewing.  We love just looking through this book- it is so fun!  Now when I see cheap but cute socks I find myself picking them up to make sock animals.  Brother wants one now too.  And Sister's best friend gave me sad eyes and told me that her mom doesn't have the stuff to make her one.  I think I need to make one for her as well.  Looking the book up on Amazon, I found out there is a sequel to the book- Stray Socks Sewing Too!  I think that will be included in my next Amazon order.

She's not perfect- her feet and eyes are different sizes- but she is loved all the same...

I finally made Brother the PJ pants he wanted (that I meant to make for Christmas.)  He loves the soft fleece- I admit they are quite cozy.  It is supposed to be "non-pill"- but I know they still won't be that soft forever. I love fleece because it feels so good and it is easy to sew- just wish it lasted longer.

Now I need to get my machine back out...