I am pregnant and my doctor told me that I would most likely be on bedrest at about 5-6 months.......I want to start something to keep me busy during that time (so I am not tempted to run around) and do something productive at the same time so I wanted to take up sewing (I used to a LONG time ago and totally forgot damn near everything that goes with it). I know the basics of needing bobbins, needles, thread etc but I have NEVER used a pattern before and my machine I had before was a total piece. I will be making clothes for myself, my two toddlers, new baby and some other household items so I was wondering if anyone can recommend a really good sturdy machine and anything else I will need (I don't know if a serger is essential but if so let me know)....Any help would be much appreciated. :) Powell's Books - Sewing for Dummies 2ND Edition by Janice Saund Maresh::
8-page color insert of new projects Get the basics of sewing and stitch up a storm in no Golden Retrievers for Dummies · Golf Essentials for Dummies
http://www.powells.com/biblio?isbn=9780764568473HOME |
Hi, Happy.
So sorry for your plight.
Ask grandma, sister or aunt to mind the toddlers and visit a few sewing machine dealers.
Test drive and buy the machine you like best from the dealer you like best.
All major brands are good machines, including Kenmore.
Do stay away from Singer as their performance can be iffy and there is nothing more aggravating than a sewing machine that fights with you.
You can get by without a serger - the less expensive ones can be contrary.
Buy good thread and notions, especially scissors.
"Simplicity's Simply The Best Sewing Book" is good for learning about patterns, sewing machines, sergers and sewing techniques. You can find a copy in fabric departments/stores and at Amazon.
501 Sewing Secrets - 501 Sewing Secrets educational series Part 1 of 8::
Mar 1, 2008 Perhaps all the essentials of a modern machine came together in early . the possibilities for you and your future sewing projects is to
http://www.newsletterarchive.org/2008/03/01/314713-501+Sewing+Secrets+educational+series++Part+1+of+8HOME |
Au Papier Japonais | Book Arts::
Open-Architecture Hand-sewn Book. Famous for paring down buildings to their essentials, Mies van der Rohe would applaud Elizabeth doing the same thing to
http://www.aupapierjaponais.com/book-boxes-photo_albums.phpHOME |
Best wishes in all your new adventures.
PJ
There are a lot of problems you can run into as far as the sewing is concerned. If you are"making clothes for myself, my two toddlers, new baby and some other household items " the bending over to cut material pin it together and also take care of your youngsters may do harm to you and/or the baby as you will not be resting. Please do this - - - -check out the site below and find something you would like to do. There is the crocheting and knitting that you can use to make clothes and "some" things for your home. I myself and I feel sure all others that are on here will be more than willing to help you with any of the projects you will decide on. If I can help you, contact me.
http://www.craftown.com/lessons.htm
My sewing machine is a Brother LS2125i, and I get about 10 stitches including button hole and attachments. I use to have a Singer machines, but I didn't have much luck with them. Having a serger would be handy to have, so if money isn't an option, I'd go for it. Instruction are included with patterns when you buy them, but you can search on YouTube "how to read sewing patterns" and tons of stuff show up. I like to go there because you can see how people do it verses trying to figure it out by reading.
I like having extra bobbins, with various color threads already loaded so that when I am sewing I don't have to stop and reload the bobbin. If it is a color thread you frequently use, keep a couple bobbins loaded.
If you are on bed rest do you think it is ok to sit at a sewing machine for hours sewing. And standing and reaching to cut out a pattern.
Get some books at the library. You will need to know how to read a pattern correctly.
Simplicity has a line of patterns out called Sewing for Dummies.
What about learning to quilt? You can make great quilts for your upcoming baby. Quilting can be done by hand or machine. For more information, check out http://www.appliquequiltdesigns.com. It has information on how to start quilting, several baby quilts, plus instructions on many of the basic quilt blocks.
I "thought" a serger would be a good thing to have. It is for some things, but is a totally unnecessary item if you aren't going to deal with its attitudes on a daily basis and use it a whole lot more than I do.
A good machine is the Janomes. You can get one to order if you like. They come with anywhere from just straight stitch and basic zigzag stitch to really super duper machines that even quilt and embroidery.
That was my choice until I found out I could actually get a new motor for my Bernina 830. Bernie and I have been together for 30 years and I really don't want one of the electronics.
Get the most machine you think you can afford. It will pay in the end. Bernie cost somewhere around $1000 way back when! I made monthly payments to a loan company for a couple of years.
Baby and toddler clothes are so much fun to make. I am getting my patterns back out as my son just informed me that I am to be a grandma again next summer. Patterns are really easy to use. Just read the instruction sheet before starting and pin it up where it will be safe while you are sewing so you can refer back to it. They have the layouts of the pieces for the fabrics available on the pattern sheets.
Scissors, measuring tape, pins, extra needles for the machine, marking pencils for fabrics, dressmakers carbon and wheel, are the essentials. There are many more nice to have things, but they are not that necessary.
http://janome.com/
and including a online company that is a delight to deal with:
http://www.fashionfabricsclub.com/
 Where's The Advantage In Windows Genuine Advantage?
 Stocks Bounce After S&P Joins Bear Market
|
