I Am A Sewing Machine

 

Four years ago (I am having a hard time believing it's been that long) I bought this old sewing machine to see if I even liked sewing.  And I did!  I got really into it for a while, made a bunch of holiday gifts, and enjoyed having a new piece of furniture on which to store my crap (since that's the purpose it's served for many of those 4 years). 

And I really did like the sewing part...it was fun, relaxing, served as yet another creative outlet, and it is SO MUCH QUICKER than knitting...which might just be my favorite part. 

But although this old sewing machine is a beast, and I love the romanticism and style of its advanced age, I'll admit that it wasn't so easy to use.  It was pretty finicky and seemed to jam up on me a lot.  It required lots of oil and TLC to function.  And so I didn't seem to sew too incredibly often. 

Well, mama got a new sewing machine!  Brian bought me this awesome Brother sewing machine for Christmas this year and I am totally in love with it.  It is a breeze to use compared to my old beast, and so...I'm feeling totally reinvigorated about sewing again!

I've been sewing quite a bit, and have made some easy beginner projects including a couple drawstring bags (one for Sadie's ballet shoes, and one as a project bag for my knitting), and matching Sadie and Mama "rice paddies" (as we call them....rice bags that you heat up in the microwave to keep you warm).  

I made this fold-up changing pad for baby Maya...and hear that it's being put to good use....

 And am well on my way making (quilting! ) these colorful placemats....

 So much fun..blowing up my pinterest craftiness board with a billion and one ideas of things to sew.

Handmade Holiday

Way back in October, I made a pact with myself that I would make as many of our holiday gifts as possible. I wanted to save some money, but mostly, as a crafter, I feel that something I put thought, time, and energy into is so much more meaningful that something I can pick up at the mall. Sometimes an effort like this can be really stressful, but because I started planning for it several months in advance, this didn't add to any holiday stress for me. If anything, it was calming to spend more hours during the season behind the sewing machine or knitting needles.

First up...Sadie needed a new winter hat. So I finally finished the Duchess Cabled Hat. Ravelry details here.
For a holiday party hostess gift, I made this fun "Question Jar".

For my out-of-town girlfriends, wall organizers!

And for my sisters-in-law, Mari and Suzie, aprons...

And my crowning glory (that means it was the most difficult...) for the season was a table runner that I made for my mom.

Thank you to all the crafters out there for the inspiration, patterns, and tutorials. For a beginning sewer, it was certainly a comedy of errors. I'm sure anyone who knows anything about sewing would be utterly horrified watching me over the past couple months. I'm truly figuring this out as I go. But I'm having so much fun, and I'm so proud of the results!

A New Toy

It's a Kenmore Rotary sewing machine, Model 117-959, from 1948. I bought it from a nice woman in my neighborhood for $20.00.

Last time I used a sewing machine was in Home Economics class in 1990. And I was no good at it. I made a completely hideous and unwearable red shirt.

But I see such beautiful, hand sewn, crafty goodness out there on the Internet that I was curious if it would be something I'd like to try again.

So, there I was, with a sewing machine born the same year as my mother. And no idea what to do with it. It came with this ancient manual and box of confusing parts. But I spent a few nights poring over the manual, watching YouTube videos about how to thread a sewing machine, figured out what the heck a bobbin was, and took the plunge.

I bought myself a couple spools of thread and some funky fabrics.

My first project was a bookmark that I am using, but it really doesn't deserve to have its picture shown; it's quite pitiful. Then I made this sunglasses case. It's lined! And was supposed to have a drawstring ribbon, but since I sewed the opening shut, it's just a decorative ribbon.

And then I got really adventurous and made myself this apron (from this tutorial)! Yay! I don't want anyone to see it up close...but I'm actually pretty proud of it.

Just what I need, another hobby...

Here are a couple other projects I've found for inspiration.

this, this, this, this, and this

What fun!!