Sewing and Me

I started sewing in October of 2008 by myself just really wanting to hem my boys pants and fix and patch holes in their jeans (especially the ones they wear once and get holes in them). I truely didn't even know how to sew a hole in a pair of jeans.

I thought I was handy by keeping a little kit that they sell in Walmart for about $5 that included thread, pins, and some hand sewing needles. I knew to hem their jeans I would need a machine. So that began my search for my brother. I didn't want and expensive machine, I just wanted something that did the basics.

And that it does! and More.








I ordered the additional feet for this machine such as the invisible zipper foot, 1/4 quilting foot, & the invisible foot. I bought this machine from Walmart for $150. Some call it the Walmart Special or what ever other rediculous name they have. I call it smart. I personally can stand when people blame the machine for the operators fault. Sometimes as well we get brainwashed into thinking we must buy a $1000 machine in order to sew. More on that later!! Let me stay on track. This machine traveled with me back and forth to class. I drove and drive 2 hours to class and 2 hours from class in order to get home. I live in NJ and take classes in PA. The prices of the class make up for the driving. The quality of the class also make up for the driving. So what classes did I take I will list them in order of the places I took and continue to take them.

• Hand Bag
• Amy Butler A Line Skirt
• Corded Zipper Pillows
• Smocked Dress

I took my Brother machine with me to these classes so that I would be absolutely comfortable with the classes and not feel out of my element when using it at home. I am so glad I did! My machine gave me no issues other than changing my tension when using the elastic thread which my instructor changed immediately and I just had to run it through a test strip. I also took local classes that were a waste of my $100.

• Absolute Beginners
• Hem Class - they teach you 5 hems

I learned a little in the hem class but not enough to make me think it was worth the money. Could have learned that from a book.

My list of sewing creations are as follows:

• 3 envelope pillows
• 3 Aprons
• 1 Amy Butler A line Skirt
• 1 Amy Butler Layered Skirt
• 4 Corded Pillow Cases with overlapping zipper
• 3 Smocked dresses
• 5 Amy Butler Cabo Halters
• 2 pairs of Shorts for my boys (Long)
• 5 Bags - Baby bags, Arm Bags, Bag Bags :)
• 4 toddler dresses - New Look
• I have embroidered 4 wash clothes with my kids names and pics on it
• I have embroidered Bibs for babies with names
  

Things I have on my TO DO LIST:

• Amy Butler Cabo Halter - My last one I promise
• Amy Butler Surf Halter - will be making 4 of those
• Amy Butler Lotus Dress - to make one sample and 2 wearable with AB fabric
• Amy Butler Mini Dress - Making 2 of these
• Amy Butler Layered skirt - with her fabric
• McCalls 5522 - I am in the process of making this now
• A few dresses by McCall
• A romper by McCall
• A skirt or two and shirt by Mccall as well will update with names and numbers later

Not alot that I have done you say. Actually it is quite a lot. Yet I have soooo much more to do. I know some are self teachers. I tried with the aprons and envelope pillows. I learned to put in a zipper through You Tube. I wanted to go more in depth with sewing so I hit the internet looking for scarce classes. I am so glad I did. My brother machine accompanied me to my classes and I got to know it on a one on one level. In my skirt class I was introduced to a Serger I was able to make my garments professional and neat with this machine that is when I got my next brother, after heavy research and looking at what others had to say I decided to go with--->

Brother 1034D Serger

I started to finish all of my garments after the Skirt Class with this item meaning every last item I made was serged due to the first garment being serged in class. I wanted every garment to be professional. For my Anniversary I asked the Dear Hubby to purchase this Embroidery Machine *I was warned by experienced seamstress not to get a combo machine, while it may save space, I am glad I didn't ----->

Elna 8200 AKA Janome 300E

Yes they are the same machine different shell and same Embroidery Start up pics basically!

While My Brother machine took me to class and I learned on it, the stitch quality for me wasn't consistant. I like to do a MEAN EDGE stitch and the consistancy wasn't perfect. My machine also wasn't made for going through 8 layers of Denim, Maybe 4 but not 8. So I after many trips to Joanns about 5 months straight, I went to the Viking Dealer and finally Bought a Viking Sewing Machine. I decided to go with ---->

VIKING EMERALD 183 a pretty basic quilting machine with the ability to go through 8 layers of denim quiety no struggle, leather, Suede and more. The quality of the sticthes is superb yet at this price range I'd imagine it should. While it is a big difference from my initial machine, I'd only upgrade once you know this is for you. I'd never go spend that much on a maybe hobby.

Now that you know what I am working with and what I invite you to read my blogs I will try to post monthly hopefully more just to let you know what I am working with or doing. Thanks and God Bless!!!

Amy Butler Barcelona A Line Dress and Layered Skirt

This is a very nice skirt; using the right materials is key. This is a lined skirt, wonderful length, amazing feel when you do use her fabric. Her fabric is so nice and thick. I didn't use her fabric for the layered skirt, but will for the next one.

This is the front of my AMY BUTLER Barcelona Skirt - This is the Aline version. I adore not only the print but I put this on with a a nice Turquoise Tee and it makes for a hot alfit.

This would be the back of the skirt, Mind you this skirt is lined underneath with an all purpose zipper instead of an invisible. I did take a class for this skirt and they didn't use the Invisible zipper. When I made my Layered skirt, I learned on my own. :)

This is the back of the layered skirt, This skirt is also line, I made the Cabo Halter in a Burnt Burgundy and it is a nice alfit. Will show that later. This skirt wasn't hard. Just have your masking tape handy to label each piece. The Invisible was the easy part.