Saturday 3 April 2010

Sew, so...

I thought I would share with you what I have been doing this week - well some of it.  I have been getting to know my new sewing machine. It is a long time - years, since I had my old machine out so I am  not only getting to know my new one, but also getting my eye in. On the whole using a sewing machine is like riding a bike, once you have learned you never forget, although you may be a bit wobbly at first. After having to resort to the instruction book to get it threaded up and stitching a few up and down rows  I thought I would make some scented hearts. I thought I could make them button-up which would give me buttonhole practice too. I also made a little draw-string bag to keep the foot pedal and cable in as like ALL the machines I have owned these are a real pain to store. I raided my sewing box and have found quite a few scraps - here are my attempts.
The red candy stripe one was my first attempt and I soon realized I had made it rather small, and turning inside out through the button opening was a bit of a struggle. I also realized I had managed to sew the loop so it ended up on the inside! But the button-hole was fine. The second attempt was the white muslin one, but I still managed the get the loop on the inside. I know the theory, but somehow I got it wrong. The third one was the orange check - hurrah , the loop is in the right place, but it has got a twist, oh well never mind. The draw string bag was more straight forward, but it still seemed to take all afternoon! Here's a close-up.


They could have a bit more wadding, but that was all I have till I do a bit more shopping. I have scented them with pot pourri oil. Jane, you may recognise a couple of your buttons!

Otherwise I have had a go at free-style embroidery, but that will need a lot more practice before I have anything worth looking at.
 Hope you have a relaxing Easter weekend.

12 comments:

menopausalmusing said...

Blooming heck! Impressive or what? If this is you just starting, I think we are in for some treats........... :O)

Marigold Jam said...

I'm with Menopausal Musing on this one! Those hearts look good to me and yes I do recognise the button! I see that unlike me you have been reading your manual - I dive in and only refer to it when I can't make the ****y thing work!! There's a moral her as those hearts and the bag and even the buttonholes are brilliant and you didn't wait 25 years to find out how to do it all!

Jane

Lizzie said...

The little scented heart sachets are lovely. Perhaps they're not "perfect", but they are certainly nice enough and I'm sure next time you will have learned from your previous mistakes and will make a really "perfect" version! They're so pretty and I love the buttonholes/buttons.
Cute little storage bag. My machine has a cable that winds round the body of the machine and tucks under the arm, but the hard case that fitted over it all and clipped to the base got broken when we moved. It still sits on top, but the clips are broken off... still, it keeps it clean & tidy!
Must get my machine up here into my new workroom - then I might even use it!

Lalabibaby @ Dreaming of The Simple Life said...

Well done you they look great to me! I hope your camera isn't feeling neglected while you play with your new toy ;-) I'm lucky that my machine cover has a section for the pedal etc but now I've got a little crafting corner the lid seldom goes on it. I've been formulating an idea today and hope to make a start tomorrow on a new sewing project. Have a lovely Easter x

cheryl said...

oh these look fab to me hun especially those beautiful hearts,I cant even sew straight yet onto my cards so you are doing much better than me hugs cheryl xxxx

flutterbycrafter said...

I agree with everyone else, these are gorgeous. Have a lovely Easter. xx

LAC EMP 2020 said...

Just like riding a bike eh? What were you? A Tour de France specialist? Great things are coming out already. I love the idea of turning the heart inside out by a buttonhole - can I nick that one from you and try it please? Mind you my machine doesn't like doing buttonholes so I may fall off the bike at the first bend but I shall hold your image in my head to inspire me! What a start.... Lesley x

thekathrynwheel said...

Heyy, these are great :-) I laughed at the loop on the wrong side....been there, done that! Happy stitching! Kate

Jill said...

Lesley, you've made my day - I am now imagining myself trying to use the buttonhole to turn the heart inside out - it was hard enough using the buttoned opening!! Not sure if that image was down to your sense of humour of my poor descriptive skills :)

Unknown said...

It all looks great to me - very impressive indeed.

WrightStuff said...

These are really cute. Sewing machines and me don't mix... needles snap, thread gets tangled and tempers frayed! Hmm, I feel a blog post coming on...

LAC EMP 2020 said...

Jill,
If I had half a brain I'd be dangerous! When I stop, re-read and assimilate the information I realise that turning it inside by the buttonhole is plain stupid, not to say near nigh impossible ... but yesterday morning it seemed so 'right' and an inspired idea! Got to go... there's a man in a white coat here.... Lesley x