Who sews?

[purple]

I am thinking about buying a cheap machine so I can make curtains and stuff like that, and then maybe eventually graduate to skirts and other clothes. Is it hard to learn? Will I need to take a class? Is a cheapo sewing maching going to work to start me out?

[Dar]

IMO, it's super easy. :right: I would not get a cheap machine, but I wouldn't get a Singer, either. Sears has some great machines. JoAnn's also sells quite a variety, from beginner to high end. I got mine at Sears, but would love to upgrade someday. You don't need one with lots of fancy thread adjustments and stuff.

[Vorpal_Bunny]

I sorta do (did). Ditto Dar's advice - also see about getting a good used machine.

[Dar]

Oh, yeah! That would be a good idea, too!

[Lisa]

I made the living room curtains and the curtains that used to be in B's room. Curtains are easy peasy.

I also made a bunch of these. (http://www.supereggplant.com/archives/000216.html) Really easy and cute.

She also has pillowcases. (http://www.supereggplant.com/archives/000315.html)

[Kate]

easy to learn.

I have my mom's machine on permanent loan-- I bet it was only $200. It does everything I need. (except buttonholes)

[mmmommmy]

Yep -- starting with curtains is perfect -- especially if you keep them simple. I always liked my Brother until I took it to the shop for a tune-up; never worked right after that. Then I got a Singer and hated it. Now I have my mom's old sewing machine from long ago -- can't remember what it is (lol haven't been sewing for a looooong time). My mom bought one of those fancy schmancy expensive machines several years ago when she retired. She's never made anything with it.

[Dar]

:agree: I made our curtains. Great place to start since they are so easy. Just a rectangle.

[wicked]

i think i have a brothers from walmart, it was under $200 and i make all sorts of stuff with it.

[DebbieJ]

I love to sew, but haven't done so in a long time.

I took a Beginners class many years ago at the local high school. It gave me a decent amount of knowledge to get started. You could probably pick up all you need to know if someone close to you sews. Just ask questions.

I purchased an inexpensive machine from JoAnne's many years ago. It's an okay machine, nothing fancy.

I really need to get back to sewing, it calms me right down. It's almost like I go into another world when I sew.

[Crystal]

I'm in the process of teaching myself to sew and I love it. I've discovered to wonders of making pajama pants -- nothing but straight lines. Easy! Plus you have the satisfaction of actually *making* something you can wear. (of course, I now own more pajama pants than anyone could ever need...)

There's some good "How to" books out there that even *I* could understand. I can dig mine out if you'd be interested.

[Tekla]

Sewing curtains is a fantastic way to start. You can advance quickly to more difficult patterns and before you know it you'll have curtains that other people pay big bucks for. And you will have paid a fraction of the price. :D

[Karen]

curtains are definitely a great start. I also did table runners and Christmas stockings near the beginning. I have a machine from Sears---does Kenmore make a machine? It's middle of the road-I love it. I used to use my great-grandmothers (it's a singer from 1952--older than my mom) but my mom wanted it back.

good luck!

And Dar makes great taggy blankets. We had a very upset little girl when it was accidentally left at church for a week.

[Lisa]

Taggie blankets? Really?

[Karen]

Taggie blankets? Really?

yep!
It's in the lower left hand corner of this pic--

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid221/p419afccf341e00e1dc8b509c6703b1ee/eb699ce1.jpg

[Lisa]

*sucks up to Dar*

I hate that my sewing machine broke.

I guess it would have helped if I would have gotten a decent one to begin with.

[Karen]

It's little-like she tries to tuck in her dollies with it. It's great-it travels in her diaper bag really well. AND, most of the ribbons have words--she loves tags with words on them.

[Dar]

And Dar makes great taggy blankets. We had a very upset little girl when it was accidentally left at church for a week.


:eek: :cry:

Poor baby. :(

Lisa, I know you've seen the one I made Alison. It's in all those pictures and videos of her smothering her dolls. :D

[Kate]

Just NEVER EVER tell anyone you sew.

Or you will get stuck sewing the cub scout projects. :indiff:


I looked my machine is a White and wasn't more then $200-- it is my mom's but she hates to sew so it is on permanant loan

[Phoebe]

I have a Dar taggie /gloat

:love:

[Aprilia]

I got a Sears machine for $50 on black Friday a few years back. I didn't want to spend more than that in case I didn't get into sewing. I made all the curtains for my house with it, so it has more than paid for itself. I don't see myself making much more than simple things... partly because of the time, and because fabric isn't so cheap.

So in a nutshell... a cheapo machine was perfect for me... I'm a toe test kind of gal.