Growing up my aunt and mom sewed all the time (they made all my Halloween costumes and my aunt even sewed my mom’s wedding dress) but whenever I tried to learn on my mom’s machine I broke it. Not just jammed it or temporarily messed it up, I legitimately ruined it (at least six episodes ended with my mom carting it off to the shop and paying lots of money to get it repaired). And then I wasn’t encouraged to use it quite as much if you catch my drift. I don’t blame my mom at all. I was clearly cursed.
So in an insane turn of events, I recently purchased a nice affordable beginner sewing machine of my own with high hopes of DIYing a quilt and a fabric flag banner for Clara’s first birthday (using all of the fabrics that we picked up for her weekly photo project to create them). I figured it would come in handy for things like pillow and curtain making as well.
And I specifically picked something with great ratings (4.5 stars and over 150 customer reviews) on amazon.com (a Brother XL2600I) because I wanted something good for a beginner devoid of any “natural ability” whatsoever. Of course it didn’t hurt that it was around $100-200 cheaper than most fancy machines (on sale for just $89 – down from $149 – with free shipping). You know just in case I irreparably maimed it within a week of use. Which would not have surprised me. Hence the I’m-not-going-to-splurge-for-anything-great-just-yet approach.
So it arrived a few weeks ago. It has been testing me. Oh my goodness has it been testing me. Like, walk-calmly-into-the-bedroom-and-scream-into-a-pillow testing me.
I even had a hilariously miserable and desperate text message exchange with Katie B where I basically asked her to come over and peel me off the floor and wipe away my tears and spank my disobedient machine. Yeah, she didn’t come. But she did make me laugh by comparing me to Martha. I suggested that perhaps I was Martha’s uncoordinated lesser known sister (who I dubbed Bertha) and by the end of the little iPhone fest Katie had me smiling. Gotta hand it to that girl for providing some much needed comic relief when you’re dealing with this sort of ugliness:
The actual issue was that I was having all sorts of tension problems (broken needles, loopy tangled underside stitches, etc) and then after two nights of despair and at least five solid hours of sheer misery I realized that I was using an unsanctioned bobbin. Seriously. After five hundred attempts at rethreading the needle and rereading the manual and googling around for ideas and texting my poor friends (who all had better things to do than listen to me whine I’m sure) it was my stupid one tenth of an inch too tall bobbin that was sabotaging me. But at least I got the root of the issue, which ended up being hilariously easy to fix (hilarious in that you-laugh-but-kind-of-cry-at-the-same-time-because-it’s-so-pathetic-and-embarrassing way).
But at least at that lowest ever point in my sewing career I figured it could only get better from there. So I kept on keeping on. Slowly but surely I’m getting to know “Oh Brother” (my sarcastically pessimistic nickname for the sewing machine slash bane of my existence) and I’ve actually made some decent progress in the world of novice sewing. For example, I made this little fabric flag banner for the bean’s big one year birthday par-tay using small triangles that I cut out of various weekly fabrics.
I’m not going to say that it was easy. It was harder and more annoying than The Situation’s abs. In fact, I refer to the debacle that was me attempting to sew that fabric banner as “The Real Situation.”
It took me waaaaaay too long and I probably legitimately cried ten times (we’re not talking whiny fake crying, we’re talking actual frustrated hot tears that you swipe away before anyone looks at you like you’re crazy for sew-crying). Give me a sledgehammer or a paint brush and I have no fear. But give me a robot with a motorized needle and I will show you the definition of misery. It’s just not something I can even remotely pretend to be good at. Oh well, I’ll learn. Or I won’t and I’ll get another hobby. Haha.
As for exactly how long it took, I’d guess that cutting each of the flags out took me about forty minutes in front of the TV (I used a cardstock template and placed it over the prewashed – so it was preshrunk – fabric). Then I hemmed each of the three sides of the triangle with Oh Brother, which took me well over five hours.
Yes, you read that right. Let’s just say there were a lot of do-overs and seam ripping and more tension issues but in the end I was left with around a dozen perfect enough triangles that I wouldn’t die from embarrassment if a teenage Clara looked closely at her beloved birthday banner (I hope the banner becomes a tradition for every b-day until the bean is too old to indulge me, so I don’t just want it to look not-terrible I want it to last for a while and look halfway decent). So although you see about 27 flags on the table above, so many of them were just garbage when you got any closer, so I picked my favorite dozen and tossed the rest unceremoniously into my rag pile.
Then in a stroke of desperation (or genius, you decide) I actually broke out some iron on hem tape to complete the project in about another half hour (for a total of 5.5+ hours spent).
It helped to lay out the remaining not-terrible flags on the floor to play around with order until I liked what I saw. Then it was just about firing up the iron and using my trusty hem tape to attach them to the blue ribbon that I already had laying around.
I’m pretty sure it would have easily been 10+ hours if I sewed each flag to the blue ribbon that I used for the top. But heck, I’m starting slow. I’m just glad I was able to sew those flags and not chuck Oh Brother out the slider in the sunroom (the problem with ranches is that you don’t get to dramatically drop things that you hate out of second story windows so you have to improvise). And iron-on hem tape is washable so it’s all good. And look at my little helpers. How cute were they to hang out in the kitchen while I tested my not-cursing-or-throwing-anything limits? They were some much needed sweetness for a pretty darn annoying personal challenge.
The banner looks fun and festive and it’ll be washable and hopefully will last for at least a decade or two, and best of all it was free except for the expense of Oh Brother (thanks to already having purchased each of the fabrics on clearance throughout the year for Clara’s weekly pics and using iron-on hem tape and blue ribbon that I already had).
But I’m still hoping that the sewing machine purchase will end up being worth it as I attempt more projects like a very very very simplified quilt for the bean and other house-related things (a few throw pillows, maybe some curtains, etc). I’m definitely going to start slow.
So there it is. The truth. I’m no Martha Stewart. I’m terrible at sewing and it makes me curse, sob, and scream into my pillow. But who knows, this could be the beginning of a beautiful relationship with that terrifying mechanical needle. Stranger things have happened…
Jenny says
It isn’t you…it is the Brother sewing machine. This brought back terrible memories. Brother STINKS! I had one when I was 12 (had it for 18 years)….it gave me nothing but problems…and did the same thing with the Bobbin ALL THE TIME. And I am an experienced sewer. My hubby bought me a Husqvarna Viking and have been blissfully sewing for 5 years now. It is a dream. Never an issue. They are more expensive, but they are made well and are quality. It was totally worth buying a more expensive machine. I no longer, “scream into my pillow”. For you as a starter…I would get a ‘Janome’. They are good quality starter sewing machines. Singer, brother machines are not what they used to be.
Skooks says
I bet if you really got to know your machine, took a simple beginner’s class, and perused some of the better instructable sewing blogs/YouTube, you could totally rock the sewing.
Patience, my dear. The bunting is darling. :)
Mary says
Oh my goodness, your battle with the sewing machine sounds SO familiar! I cursed, I cried, I gave up, I went back and tried again and again. I think I even remember collapsing onto the floor and looking at the ceiling and yelling “WHY?! WHY is this SO HARD?!” Haha! In the end, it turned out to be a simple mistake, but it was shear torture up until I was able to finally thread the darn thing!
Stephanie S says
Wow, you remind me so much of me, when it comes to sewing. My mom was an expert and used to make her own clothes when she was young. She would always make our Halloween costumes and make fancy curtains for the house.
But I could never NEVER sew to save my life. Like you, I can sew a button or fix a ripped seam, but everyone run and hide as soon as I try to actually make something! I think I actually cried out of frustration one time while trying to make a pair of surf shorts from scratch. My mom had to come save me/the shorts.
Jen O says
Probably the best line you’ve ever written:
“I’m not going to say that it was easy. It was harder and more annoying than The Situation’s abs.”
I seriously cracked up for like five minutes, tears and all.
Elizabeth says
Oh I wish I could help you! I have been sewing for years, and I usually can help anyone with sewing issues. So of the issues with skipping etc or tension is an incorrectly wound bobbin also. A brand new sewing machine should not have any tension issues, unless you are sewing really unusual fabric. Looks like you were just sewing cottons, so it should just be fine. Also change your needle A LOT, because the slightest ding on it, messes up stitches.
I hope you aren’t too afraid of sewing, it can be a lot of fun!
Karen says
Hooray for figuring out the problem (even if figuring it out came after much frustration…)
I sew a lot and my two pieces of advice are these: (1) If you’re having troubles with tension, “thread boogers,” etc., the most likely culprit is the threading. I always pull the thread out and start over, even if I think it’s perfectly threaded from the start. And (2) go for the expensive thread (Gutermann and Mettler are both good). The cheap stuff will only give you headaches.
And if your machine keeps giving you trouble, have an experienced sewist spend some time with it. It would be awful to find out later that the troubles would’ve happened to anyone!
I’m sorry that I can’t read through all 600 comments to see if anyone else has offered you this advice already. Don’t give up! Sewing is so much fun!
(And the banner is adorable — Clara will love it for years and years.)
Becky says
I am so glad to see that I am not the only one who has a love/hate/hate relationship with my sewing machine. The darn bobbin tension has gotten to me many a time! Love the picture of the thread all wadded up like that. Thought you were in my kitchen when I first saw it! :)
jane davila says
The problem with the Brother machine pictured (and most other low-end machines) is that most of its internal parts (esp the vital ones like the gears) are made of plastic instead of metal. It is very difficult for a machine with plastic mechanisms to maintain good tension and timing. It is really frustrating when your tools don’t work properly. A much better (and less frustrating but still as money-conscious) choice is to buy an older Singer at a tag sale or through Craigslist and get it tuned up. The machine itself may be as little as $25 and the tune-up should run around $50-60, still less than a brand new machine that will torture you. The older Singers (pre-1980) are all metal and heavy, which is the “tell” of a good, solid, reliable machine. As to tension issues (the machine’s, not yours, lol) if the thread is snarling or there are loopies on the underside of your fabric, the tension problem is coming from the top so trying re-threading the top or change the needle plus make sure you use good quality thread. Cheap thread will mess up tension SO fast. If the thread problems are occurring on the top of your fabric then the tension issue is caused by the bobbin. You can try re-threading the bobbin into the bobbin case, re-wind the bobbin itself in case it wound incorrectly or turn the screw on the bobbin case. To determine if the bobbin tension is correct, hold the thread coming from the loaded bobbin case in your hand and allow it to hang from the thread like a yo-yo. Gently jerk your hand (again like you’re holding a yo-yo) if the bobbin shoots down and hits the floor, the bobbin case is too loose. If the bobbin doesn’t move at all, it’s too tight. If it jumps down an inch or so, it’s just right.
Hope this helps! Stick with it, it’s just another power tool!! Clara’s quilt is going to be adorable.
Katie says
At age 10 while learning to sew for a 4-H project I said my first swear word. Pretty much defines my relationship with sewing.
Misty says
Tara is right, Sherry! The less expensive sewing machines tend to be pretty finiky… Enough so that even an experienced sewer will have tangles and problems, just because they’re not made well. It is a little bit counterintuitive that, as a beginning sewer, you should have a better machine, but that’s because the better made they are, the more thinking they do for you instead of you needing to have lots of experience to figure out why the darn thing’s not working right. Bernina, Viking, Pfaff and Janome are some of the better brands (IMHO.) You could also look into one of those old, all-metal used machines hanging around. When those puppies are in working order, they sew like a dream, and have excellent motor strength.
Star says
Oh Sherry, I’m so THERE with you! Hot tears, sew-crying, screaming into pillows… I’ve done it all. Strange thing is, give me a table saw or a nail gun and I’m good to go! I keep telling myself that a sewing machine is just like a power tool. But I think it can smell fear.
Jill S. says
There’s no need to be embarrassed about your hot, frustrated tears. Every sewist has been through it. I’m no expert, but I’m a pretty decent seamstress and, after 6 years of sewing, I STILL have those moments where I’d like to chuck my machine out the window (I also live in a rancher and can’t drop it out a second floor window). I remember I was making a diaper bag for a good friend back when she was pregnant and I was screaming ear-piercingly in my head as needles broke and feed dogs wouldn’t grab the fabric. I guess it didn’t help my frustration that I was sewing throughout the night (and literally until 7am the morning of her shower- that’s the procrastinator in me). It can be SO frustrating sometimes but also very enjoyable, too. Stick with it! You’ll find your zen. :)
Elizabeth Horn says
I’m not good at sewing either. I try to take short cuts when I can. Here is how I make my pennant garlands, if you ever want to make another one. :) I cut two triangles with pinking shears, then I stick them toghether with spray adhesive. After all the triangles are finished, I use single wide bias tape and fold it over the triangles, iron it down, pin them in place and sew it on. That is the only sewing and it’s just one long line. Here’s my post on it, if you want to check it out. http://steenkbug.blogspot.com/2011/03/pennant-garland-complete-bonus-sneak.html
YoungHouseLove says
Thanks so much for sharing the link! Sounds like an easier method for sure!
xo,
s
Nikki says
This is somewhat unrelated but I was just thinking we haven’t seen a mood board from you guys in awhile. Is it possible that there will a birthday-themed one? Or maybe for the upcoming patio work you’ll be doing? Love the blog…I’m addicted!
YoungHouseLove says
Ooh those are both awesome suggestions! I’d love to whip up a mood board one of these days for sure (we’ve been more busy with actual projects since moving to the new house so there’s less time to putter with Photoshop- but I def. wanna get back to it!).
xo,
s
Deb says
I LOVE your flag decoration! The fabrics you chose are really fun & exciting! You have a good creative eye so keep it up! I think it is sooo funny how you call your machine the “Oh Brother!” Really it would be a lot of fun & remove some of your frustrations to sign up for an “Open Sew” class to learn the easy ways to do things. (I am a sewing educator & many of the old ways of doing things are just too time consuming.) Also, sometimes the cheaper machines are actually harder to use! Some sewing instructors will let you use their machines (I do). Did your machine come with bobbins? Good Luck in the future! Things get easier as you get more experience!
YoungHouseLove says
Yup it came with the right sized bobbins but I stupidly used a rethreaded bobbin from my sewing box (stolen from my mom). Shortcut fail!
xo,
s
Amanda Herzberger says
This looks great – and you survived! It definitely takes awhile to get the hang of all the threading and tension and everything else but then once you do you’ll be cruising!
I’ve been on a fabric banner frenzy this winter making them for all the major holidays to hang across our mantle which is a fun project.
Awhile back I did a DIY tutorial on my blog (not as professional as your DIYs but it was my first attempt!) and for future banner making endeavors this might be quicker:
http://blog.orchardcovephotography.com/2010/12/do-it-yourself-christmas-pennant.html
(also you could use any fabric on the back not necessarily the same fabric)
Good luck!
Adrianne says
Oh. my. goodness. I’m so glad I’m not the only one who has issues with sewing machines. I’ve always attributed it to the sewing machine having an attitude problem. Followed soon after by much cursing and throwing fits. I have been able to sew quite competently on some machines, and then on others it’s an utter disaster, complete with rats nests like the one in your photo from the bobbin thread. I just have to keep telling myself that it is possible to use a sewing machine and create something successfully … I’m totally rooting for you on this one!!! (And in the mean time I’ll just keep knitting.)
Jessa says
My husband bought me a sewing machine for our first Christmas as a married couple in 2005. I was so excited because I really love the idea of sewing and consider myself pretty capable when it comes to crafting, etc… I broke so many needles and ended up with so many crazy piles of thread like your photo above, and there were way too many tears! Then, around Christmas 2009 I found out I was expecting and so 2010 was the year of the sewing machine. My nesting instinct gave me the power to conquer that darn thing! :) I made some linens for baby’s room and most recently made her a pretty little shirt to wear to her aunt’s wedding that matched my bridesmaid dress. It wasn’t perfect, but I am slowly learning to sew (5 years later!) and some day hope to upgrade my beginner machine, when I am a lot more skilled!
I loved reading about your sewing saga and laughing remembering my own battle with the machine…
Christina says
It’s so comforting to read about other D-I-Y-ers fighting with their dreaded sewing machines. Every time I lug mine out, I know it is going to be a close race between wrath, tears, and (hopefully) completion. And almost every time, I go through each phase before occasionally making it to the end of a project.
Good work persevering on your banner! And good luck with your next sewing projects!
Christina
Etcetorize says
Hang in there Sherry. Take a deep breath and go nice and slow. Eventually you’ll get used to your machine and create all kinds of beautiful things. I think your banner turned out very cute. You did a great job~
Charisma says
Sherry!
I feel your pain! Once you get to know your Brother a little better sewing will come with ease, I promise! I majored in Clothing and Textiles and all through high school and my even my first sewing course at college the machine was not my friend. But like magic by my second college sewing course we were able to get along… sort of. You’ll still cry sometimes if you give yourself a tight deadline, but sewing really is just like riding a bike, once you “get it” you don’t really ever forget it. Just push through it and it will be worth it! Knowing you made something gives you such pride! (Even if it’s not exactly how you envisioned it!)
-Charisma
Kim says
I had a Brother sewing machine and the tension was constantly giving me fits and causing me to rip more seams than I sewed (impossible I know, but that’s the way it felt). It wasn’t just me though; my very experienced seamstress cousin had trouble with it too. It meant I did little sewing over the 20 years I owned that machine.
But I was bound and determined to learn to sew and get a decent machine. Our local fabric store offered a variety of classes. I took one quilt class and another that walked us through making a skirt with a zipper. Then I saved my shekels until I had enough to buy a good, used machine and picked up a Pfaff on eBay.
Luuuuuurve my Pfaff!!!! You cannot even compare it to the Brother I used to own; it would be like comparing apples and oranges. I do a lot more sewing these days… everything from curtains to pillow covers to quilts to purses… I’m having a BLAST with my Pfaff :)
So much so that I’m really sad I can’t take it with me when we go to the U.S. for six months. Might have to pick up another one :)
Trinity says
You did great! My step mom taught me how to sew in high school. The biggest annoyance ever is learning how to master the tension. Tension will change with the type of fabrics & threads you are using so pay attention! Also learn about stitch length–that will make a big difference in your final product! Keep it up, you’ll get there!!
Deborah C. says
I just want to second Tara’s comment: a cheap sewing machine will make you hate sewing, and a quality machine will make sewing so much easier, I swear. If you are at all interested in sewing, consider going to some sewing machine specialty shops where they let you try out all the machines, demonstrate all the features, and offer classes, usually free with purchase. Once you sit down and try them out, you will be amazed at the difference in the ease of use of a higher end machine. It is like night and day, and so worth it if you sew with any frequency at all–and when you don’t have to worry about the machine, it is easy to sew lots more!
Amy in Richmond says
I’m a newbie to sewing. Check out Quilting Adventures at Willow Lawn. They have classes for absolute beginners, newbies, advanced beginners – clothes, bags, simple quilts, etc. I have not affiliation w/ them but LOVE looking at stuff I think ‘maybe I could make that’.
YoungHouseLove says
I’ve heard such good things about them! Thanks for the recommendation.
xo,
s
L says
Your banner is darling!
And, don’t be too hard on yourself — I’m a “professional” seamstress (got a degree in theatrical costuming anyhow) and have been making everything from slipcovers to wedding gowns for more than 30 years. My machine recently got all snarly in the middle of making 25 identical dance costumes. I’ll spare you the gory details, but a $75 service episode later, it turned out that I was using generic needles that my machine didn’t like.
We ALL learn something new every day!
L says
didn’t have time to read other comments before posting above, but I was holding my breath (figuratively) for you — because Brother machines ARE crappy. Sorry, but it’s true. Keep an eye on your local Craigslist and try to find a good, used, OLD (as in guts made of metal, not plastic) Singer, Kenmore, Viking or similar sewing machine. Your life will be better, honest.
Karen says
I totally feel your pain. My daughter grew up in our house with a mother (me) who majored in textiles in college, but yet she had no desire to sew at all. Period. Now that she is a mother herself she has broadened her horizons, and decided to learn to sew using my old work-horse of a machine that I gave to her when I upgraded to a new machine. Thank goodness for cell phone cameras when a quick answer is necessary, but I cracked up when I visited her last year, and she showed me her machine that “just won’t work”. She too got the birds nest you displayed in your post. I was quick to ascertain that the feed dogs were down from the last lesson I gave her on buttonholes. She has since built her confidence up and is no longer afraid of the machine, and will explore the workings of the beast. She will still call me once in a while to ask me a question that is easily answered in the owner’s manual! I guess it’s still easier to call mom!
m.d.k says
For those who are interested in making alphabet letters, Lotta Jansdotter’s book “Simple Sewing for Baby” has a pattern for making some. Here’s the link to Barnes and Noble: http://search.barnesandnoble.com/Simple-Sewing-for-Baby/Lotta-Jansdotter/e/9780811865487/
I can’t wait to see the quilt for Clara!
Nancy says
My first sewing machine ever was the exact same one – ordered off Amazon for all the same reasons. I say my first, because I eventually ended up breaking it – I too am not great with machines…
I think one great use for your extra fabric could be to sew a party garland like this one: http://www.purlbee.com/mollys-party-garland/. I just made it for my daughter’s first birthday party and it turned out great IMO: http://nancyandchristopher.blogspot.com/2011/04/birthday-party.html
I am most definitely a novice sewer (straight lines and hidden stitches are my best friends), but this is great because you use invisible thread so you can’t even see the stitches! And it’s just one long straight line. Most of the work is in the cutting out of the shapes.
YoungHouseLove says
So charming! I LOVE it! And your party looked like so much fun!
xo,
s
Snickrsnack Katie says
So are you still going to make the quilt with the sewing machine? I think you did a fabulous job!!
YoungHouseLove says
I’m going to give it my best shot. And I’ll definitely share whatever I end up with (the good, the bad, or the depressingly ugly)- haha.
xo,
s
Dawn says
Uh, Sherry, I noticed the vase filler in the hurricane with the candle . . . and I’m wondering, did that help you through your sewing or hinder you in any way? LOL.
Very fun banner. I have a saying I use with my daughters and husband, because while I’m vocal about my love for them, I like them to realize that love is shown in many different ways and so I often say to them, “Can you feel me loving you?”
I know Clara feels you both loving her in all you do!
YoungHouseLove says
Haha, those wine corks are collected by my wino momma. She always has a little bag for me each time we see each other because she knows I’m crazy and I like to decorating with them. I leave the drinking to her though, haha (I’m still breastfeeding).
xo,
s
Brie says
We loved your weekly photo project so much we decided to do it ourselves. We were planning on making some kind of big quilted beach blanket out of the fabric but I really love your fabric flag idea too! Your ideas are so fabulous, how could we not try them out for ourself?!?! Our weekly photos here: http://www.brielei.com/blog/?cat=24
YoungHouseLove says
Aw so cute! They look amazing. What a smile!
xo,
s
Connie says
My grandmother taught me not to sew when “it’s dark under the table.” Attempting to sew by anything other than daylight leads to problems, even with all the lights I have.
Good luck finding sewing lessons, whether you end up with a one-on-one deal you find on Craigslist or a class, I’m sure instruction will help. Once you get over the initial hump, you can learn everything else from books.
Sam says
Loved all of of your party ideas! Super cute! If you are interested in taking a class go to Quilting Adventures here in Richmond, VA. I bought my first machine a few years ago from a specialty sewing machine store and then took a few basic classes at Quilting adventures. They are fantastic and have tons of great classes. Once you learn some basics from them you will be off and running.
YoungHouseLove says
Thanks so much for the tip!
xo,
s
Ann says
I got that cheap Oh Brother too – and had an incredibly hard time finding the bobbins – and threading the darn thing: automatic my foot!
I do have an old treadle. Thanks to the internet, I’ve found the parts to make it work. For straight sewing, it’s wonderful. You can control the speed, don’t need to be a contortionist with microscope goggle to thread, the motionn is meditative. Sigh – love the thing for curtains, and I made all my maternity clothes on it decades ago.
Lissa says
Anytime I hear about sewing issues, I think of my sister (she’s a High School Family and Consumer Science -aka “Home Ec”- teacher) who re-worded Flo Rida’s “Low” and called the song “Shorty Can Sew” to help her students pass a quiz on sewing…
Here’s the last line:
“The tension dial’s wack when the thread pulls in the back…
check that the stitch length selector is still on track.
Messin’ up? Oh no!
Don’t give up hope
’cause Shorty can sew sew sew sew sew sew sew”
Enjoy the performance:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OujH5e-m2Qk
I keep trying to convince her to write another song soon!
Kelly says
Sherry, I was having problems with my sewing machine, and it turned out that some of my bobbins were a slightly different size! I don’t know if or when I would have figured that out had I not read about your sewing issues here. So I don’t know if this helps at all, but you have saved me from a lot of frustration. Thanks! I mentioned you in my blog post about this issue. http://diynot.tumblr.com/post/7928609816/bobbin-trouble
YoungHouseLove says
So glad it helped! I can totally relate to how frustrating that can be!
xo,
s
Cassie Helwig says
FINALLY
I have someone who understands my relationship with sewing machines. Last month, I broke my mother’s (this is not the first time) and then broke my grandmother’s later in the day (really, instead of being nice, she should have taken a hint) and they both had to take them to some expensive sewing machine repair shop about 40 minutes away.
YoungHouseLove says
Aw man, I can totally relate!
xo,
s
Kate says
I came upon this post clicking through a bunch of other links, so I know its older, but if anyone is still reading this for tips/ideas I have a one that my grandmother used on me when I was a wee one. (I’m one of those lucky people that was taught to knit and sew when I was like 4… I forget that it’s a learned thing)
Anyway – if you are a super beginner, or are teaching a newbie, don’t start with a project at all! Just sew pieces of fabric in lines – practice going forward and back etc. My gram took the thread out of the machine and I drew squiggly lines on paper, then “sewed” holes into the paper to practice tracing the lines. I also sewed many a piece of lined notebook paper. It helps you get used to the speed of the needle and getting your fingers out of the way without getting tangled up or worrying about tension/bobbins/whathaveyou. Sounds silly, but it worked, and takes the pressure off. It worked on me as a kid… no reason it couldn’t work for a grown-up-kid though!!
YoungHouseLove says
So smart!
xo,
s
megan says
*laughing*…ok, I was so excited to search your site for sewing related posts b/c I just signed up for my first sewing class (literally cannot even sew on a button), and now I’m terrified haha! Not really, but I am curious, have you found peace with Oh Brother and indulged in more projects with him? (I did find your pillow post that I’m going to read next woohoo!) Have you taken any sewing classes? (they have them a la carte here, which I love! No ‘6 week course’ thing necessary, just a class for the basics and you walk away with your first hand made project, too!)I’m mostly looking to use my Oh Brother for home related projects like pillows, curtains, etc. (although now you’ve got me all hot to trot about the iron on tape!) One question: do you know of any amazing sewing blogs or magazines that you would recommend for a newbie???
Thanks!!
Megan
YoungHouseLove says
Oh yes, I have gone on to make a quilt for Clara (insane for someone like me) and some pillows and some curtains! Definitely getting to know Oh Brother a bit better! I haven’t taken a class or started following any sewing blogs but I should! Haha. If you find any that you love let me know!
xo,
s
Sarah says
I love this post and I think I will be in your exact place very soon myself (as I am about to purchase my first ever sewing machine) and I’m really hoping that my 8th grade homeEc classes come flooding back to me, I don’t even remember how to thread the thing. Well done!
Just a quick note, your banner’s proper name is “bunting” – maybe it’s a UK term but it’s very popular here for birthdays, celebrations, Royal Weddings etc and so therefore it gets an official name.
Bunting is a great word because it reminds me of cake. And what’s better than that? :-)
Sarah x
From sunny scotland (really, it’s actually sunny here for once!)
YoungHouseLove says
Aw thanks Sarah!
xo,
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Jessica says
This is EXACTLY what I needed to read before I start sewing my curtains today. Yesterday was a real character building moment as I lost my manual in our move and had to resort to a youtube video of an Ukrainian woman teaching me how to thread my machine :( However, I did manage to find my manual but it was the spanish version ( I just followed the pics and hoped for the best!)
Even with all the set backs I’m just going to go for it. Thanks for being real!!!
YoungHouseLove says
Haha, I love it! You’re a trooper. Good luck with everything!
xo,
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Cathy says
Sherry, while trying to decide on which inexpensive sewing machine to buy, I stumbled across a review on Amazon that discusses the dreaded thread-looping problem. It’s very helpful; here’s the link: http://www.amazon.com/review/R3QCLHU31S9527/ref=cm_cd_pg_next?ie=UTF8&asin=B000F7DPEQ&cdForum=Fx1P4PIKS19I1QW&cdPage=2&cdThread=Tx1N7RE6ZCXXMTX&store=arts-crafts#wasThisHelpful
YoungHouseLove says
Thanks so much!!
xo,
s
Katie says
I know this reply is very delayed, but how would you recommend this sewing machine? I like that it is so competitively priced, but I am a BEGINNER and this will be my first sewing machine. Would you recommend this? I was torn between getting this machine and a super cheap $30 table top machine.
YoungHouseLove says
I would totally recommend it to a beginner. I can’t believe I’ve made a quilt and table runner and pillows and curtains on it! It has been really good for me when I’m not cursing at it. Haha!
xo
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Katie says
Thanks! Ordering it on Amazon today! I love that you Petersiks are a great read every day, but that you are a great reference for use DIYers! Thanks for the super quick response! Can’t believe you got back to me so quickly, I really appreciate it. :)
YoungHouseLove says
Aw thanks Katie! Good luck with Oh Brother!
xo
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Alex @ northstory says
I know this is an older post but I laughed so hard b/c I last summmer I got an IKEA sewing machine b/c it was 2012 resolution to learn how to sew. And when I finally took it out of the box, I swear I had almost the same experience as this. Except believe me you got further in your quest than I did. I blogged about it as well b/c it was so embarrassing that I had to share the complete hilariousness of not being able to sew a single stitch and thinking “where the hell is my Heat N Bond”. Great entry!
tamara says
I can so identify with you! I have a love/hate relationship with my sewing machine. Makes me pray hard, seing as it is usually a last minute project or costume, and it would be really nice if turned out perfect!
tamara says
…perfect like ‘seeing’ my ‘seing’ when it was already too late :)
Rebecca says
This is just a comment to bring your total for this post up to 667 comments. ;) Oh, and my Mom always wanted to teach me to sew and I refused as a kid because I thought it was boring and too hard, but now after reading this I’m realizing maybe there is hope for me! I may just have to buy myself an Oh, Brother after reading about your more recent success using it. :)