Finally Getting Started

So I've been having problems with my sewing machine. I was attempting to repair a skirt a couple of nights ago and kept getting a lot of looping thread. So today I took to a sewing store and had it looked it. Wouldn't you know it...it was something simple. I had been using metal bobbins that I bought at Wal-Mart. Using the plastic ones that came with the machine worked fine....OPERATOR ERROR!

So I was excited to come home and finally get started on the apron:

Here is the fabric combinations I want to use for the aprons:

Tomorrow I will finish laying out and cutting the fabric. I do realize that I will have to lengthen the halter top by a few inches. It needs to be 16" from my collarbone to below my bustline (darn these boobs!!!!) I am nervous about cutting the fabric, but obviously the only way I will learn is to just dive in and do it.

Sew Happy!

A Sewer's Mind?

This weekeend I directed my cousin's wedding in Durham...it was fun, but alot of work. The wedding was beautiful and they are not honeymooning in the Dominican Republic. I tried to convince them that going with them was suitable compensation, but they weren't buying it.



Anyhoo, I decided that today was going to be my day to do what I wanted to since I was on everyone else's schedule this weekend. So after I dropped all the rental stuff off and packed my car, I decided to head to JoAnn's for some fabric so that I can get started sewing.



Ok, I know what you're thinking....it's taking FOR-EV-ER for her to get started. Yeah, I agree it is. But today I think I am beginning to realize why....I don't really have a sewer's mind.



Ok, let me explain. I'm in JoAnn's looking at fabric. Ok, and can I just say that JoAnn's has a ton of fabric....but I'm sure you already knew that. So I'm walking through the aisles and I swear the aisles are multiplying by the dozens. I am looking and looking and looking and looking. All of a sudden it seems like I have fashion amnesia....I forgot how to match stuff...LOL. So finally I did pick out some fabric for an apron that I want to make....

But I forgot what it looked like and the different possible fabric combos you could make it with.

I guess this is something I'm going to have to develop over time. While there I also bought Simplicity's Simply the Best Sewing Book. I have yet to really see why it's simply the best...LOL. I think I'm only going to learn while doing. Soooo....I'm getting ready to plug up my machine by myself for the first time...wish me luck!

Sew Happy!

I Finally Turned It On!

So I've had my sewing machine for a month or so. I've ogled it in the box, taken it out, tried to decipher the cryptic and archaic instruction booklet. I've been threatening one of the students that work in my building to bring my stuff so that he can show me how to use it. So I finally did it today. Today was the first time I turned my sewing machine on EVER! WHOO HOO!


Oh yeah, here's the machine I bought


It's not a Singer like I originially thought I was going to purchase. I saw this one on HSN while watching a sewing segment one Sunday afternoon. The reviews for this one were better than the other sewing machines I looked at. And since I was on my head to get one, I decided to get this one. Based on my brief demonstration today, it doesn't seem like it's going to be a totally bad machine. It will just take some time getting used to.



So I've bought some patterns. At first, I bought McCall's but then my godmother said that I needed to purchase Simplicity, because they were easier to cut and easier to sew (hence the name Simplicity LOL). So I went to wal-mart and got a couple of those patterns too. Right now my method isn't as methodical as I would like, but I'm making some progress. I guess at some point I just need to dive in and start wading through the sewing pool...wow, that was a corny analogy...LOL



I need to get some fabric for my patterns now. I just can't seem to find what I like. But I'll keep looking. I think my first project is an apron....

Maybe sewing this will inspire me to cook....PSYCHE!

What I'm Doing Now

A week and a half ago I bought the book below from B&N:



On our recent trip to Smallsville, VA (lol...actually the town is called Exmore, VA) I read the book...or at least attempted to read it. Well in the infamous words of my friend Shel, "Can somebody please talk to me like I'm 10?" Um, I had a hard time understanding some of the lingo and jargon in the book....but it seems that it will be a good reference book for me once I get started.


I've also picked up just about every sewing magazine I can find. My favorite right now is Sew Simple....it seems to be on the level for an extreme sewing novice.


Right now I've been looking for a sewing machine...so any suggestions will be greatly appreciated! I bid on one on eBay....but will probably just end up dropping a couple hundred bucks on a new one. I want something relatively simple, but also something i can also grow into. I hear Singer is the brand of choice...so that's the brand I'm looking at right now. And by the prices on eBay, it's everyone else's brand of choice too.


Next post...my sewing goals and purpose.


Sew Happy to Be Sewing!

Sew Crazy

So after months of idle threats and wishful thinking, I've finally taken the plunge...I'm going to learn how to sew! I signed up today for the intro to beginning sewing class through my local community college. The class is called "B4U Sew", but it really should be called, "Dag, You Really Don't Know Nothing 'Bout Sewing DUMMY?!"...LOL

So this blog will chronicle my adventures, misadventures, victories, sorrows, etc.

Sew here goes...next entry will be some of my goals for sewing. We'll see if I'll be crazy over sewing, or just crazy!!!!

Sew Happy to Be Sewing!

Adeea