Today I have learned something important: I still remember how to sew! Enticed by two (count 'em, not one but two) tutorials online on How to Make A Dorset (or Origami) Bag, I went to the local chain sewing store (Hancock Fabrics, if you're interested) and purchased a small, portable sewing machine. It's a Janome, which I'd never heard of before reading the sale ad that came in the paper a few days ago. It was a nice sale, so with the money I saved, I invested in two remnants and some thread.
Observation: I used to sew nearly every item of clothing I wore, and could save a lot of money. What I just paid for remnants used to pay for fabric cut off the bolt! And thread...well, let's just say a spool of thread no longer costs just a quarter. You can still pay
for it in quarters, but you'll need a bunch of 'em.
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| Frightening thought! |
We brought it home, and I read the box. Should I be alarmed at this note on the side? I mean, are we talking literally GROWING with me? Will this cute little portable one day be the size of a Volkswagen? Does it have a serious doughnut habit or are cookies its "fattenator" of choice? Or.... does "grow" refer to picking up my bad habits? Will it begin to accumulate accessories to the point that it needs its own house to live in, and is eventually featured on
Hoarders?
Moving on...here are the remnants and thread. The berry print is just a fraction over 1/2 yard, and the yellow is about one yard. Both tutorials stressed making sure the two fabrics were exactly square; I remember having to clip-and-tear back in high school, so I did. Amazing! It still works! (d-u-u-u-h-h-h-h-h....)
Observation: there are times when having a room in the house dedicated to sewing and crafts would be very helpful. This is one of those times. Lacking a flat surface on which to press the fabric (so it wouldn't have helped to locate the iron anyway), I finger-pressed the seams.
I like this little machine! I went through the manual so I'd know where everything is located and how to wind the bobbin and how to get the machine threaded, and practiced sewing straight and zig-zag stitches on an old shirt of David's. I took my time when I started sewing the bag pieces, and I think it came out pretty well for a first try. Please don't examine it too closely as I know it has multitudes of mistakes! I need to get something for a drawstring (or make one, but that doesn't really hold any appeal for me) to say it's completely finished.
Let's see, what shall I sew next??
Gosh I remember those days when you could save money by sewing your own clothes and look individual. Looks like you are enjoying the sewing machine and I hope it does not GROW!! The bag also looks very good, what is next on the agenda?
ReplyDeleteI loved sewing my own outfits. My grandmother taught me to sew - she sewed beautifully!
ReplyDeleteI may look at a few more bag patterns before I venture into trying to sew a blouse or something. I'll have to start paying attention to the pattern books again!
Ooooh, my machine's a Janome (I think!!!). Anyway, it hasn't grown at all but I love it to bits. Good luck - dying to see what you make next.
ReplyDeleteWell, it sews great! I'm very pleased with it! There were some books on purses and tote bags at the Hancock Fabrics shop, so I may be stopping back by - soon - to see if anything looks interesting enough to invest in!
ReplyDeleteHI Sharren, I too have a Janome, it has served me well for more then 10 years, and still fits on it's table, the accessories however, we won't mention.
ReplyDeleteanyway, you can make your own drawstring, simply use size 10 tatting thread and to a lock stitch chain the length you will need, then attach a small tatted motif to the 2 ends.
Make yourself a midnight navy fleece hat for the winter and decorate it with tatted snowflakes. Then you will be all set for 2011 Palmetto Tat Days, even if the weather will still be hot. (Do winters get cold enough to wear fleece in South Carolina?)
ReplyDeleteGreat job! I got a new machine recently and since it has more features and is a different brand from the old one, I had to relearn everything. Still am but at least I can sew a seam and zigzag. Pretty soon I'm going to have to switch from red thread to white though, and that threading bit is a whole new ball game. This machine threads the needle but it IS a bit tricky for me still.
ReplyDeleteSince I tend to shop 2nd hand stores for most of my clothing these days (really do love the challenge), there's no way sewing would save me money. Plus everything is prewashed and worn enough to know if buttons will fall off and seams come apart and zippers break. I'm not a big fan of ready-made either as you can tell by those comments! I can hem if I need to and do other alterations though I do avoid that if possible. Takes away from my tatting time. :-)
What a good idea! I'm pretty sure I have some green size 10 in a shade to pick up the leaves in the berry print - and also some size 3 pearl cotton if the size 10 green isn't right. Thanks for the suggestion!
ReplyDeleteIt does get cold enough here for a fleece hat - I'll have to check out what colors they have available. Maybe our Hobby Lobby will open SOON and I can look at their fabrics!
ReplyDeleteIf I remember right, my Singer didn't use a bobbin case and this Janome does. My first Singer did too, but was oriented differently from this one, so the first time I tried to put in a loaded bobbin, I got it in upside down and the needle wouldn't go all the way down to pick up the bobbin thread! I realized my mistake and re-inserted the bobbin case and then it worked fine!
I feel like a kid at Christmas!
I love sewing machines! I have to stay away from sewing machine sales, because I would buy one of each if I could afford it.
ReplyDeleteYour bag looks great. Aren't they addictive? I taught daughter Joanne how to make them when she was down visiting this week. I think I've made 8 in the last three weeks. I found cording on sale by the spool at Hobby Lobby. In fact, I stocked up so that I can make more bags!
I can't wait to start my next project, as yet undetermined - I've got enough left of the two remnants I bought today to do another Dorset bag, or other small bag.
ReplyDeleteI can't wait for our Hobby Lobby to open! I'll be looking over the remnants there, too!!
Thanks to everyone for the compliments and encouragement!!
Thanks for remembering the days when sewing your own clothes was less expensive than buying them! I long ago stopped making clothing; but I still like having a machine around for quilting and craft projects; however, I didn't get a zig-zag machine until I was 55! I'd love to buy a fully computerized sewing machine, but can't justify the purchase! But it sounds like yours will be a fun machine to use.
ReplyDeleteI couldn't justify the cost of the fully computerized machine, either - and they had one "on sale" for only $999.99! Yikes! This one is a very basic machine, and I am really enjoying it - can't wait to sew something else!
ReplyDeleteWhen my daughter was little, I made some of her clothes; and my sweet MIL made her a very pretty jumper and mailed it to us. DD opened the package addressed to her and pulled out the jumper, and two buttons and a note fell out - it said that her machine didn't do buttonholes, so could I finish that part since mine did!
Sis, I have green satin rattail cording that I'll bring with me to Tat Days for you... just tell me how long you will need them to be.. you need two.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Sissie! I think 2 feet long, each, is plenty. I measured the bag and it's 8.5 inches wide...which would be 17 inches of cording around...and 7 inches more for ease. Does that sound right?
ReplyDeleteSharren, I can't find an email for you. Could you email me at ginab6 at yahoo dot com please?
ReplyDeleteSure, Gina - just did!
ReplyDeleteSis.. it would be correct for one, so I'll bring enough for you to have two cords per each Dorset bag. It contains two each in the casing..and you pull them from the opposite side to crate the "draw" string effect.
ReplyDeleteSuper! Thanks, Sissie! :-)
ReplyDelete