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4 lads mom
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Hi Ladies,
Just wanted to take an impromptu poll....what kind of sewing machines do you have and what is your favorite thing to sew?
I just started sewing last year for the first time since that draw string skirt in eighth grade home-ec class  , and I love it!!! I won't tell you how many decades that span was....but it was quite a few! 
I got a simple Janome machine, mechanical, I think a 419? AND..I got a Janome serger recently, that thing is a beast, but I am trying to tame it..and have almost won!!!  Actually, it is a great machine, but a little more complicated than my sewing machine.
I love to sew Lily little skirts, and I am working on a quilt for her right now. It is calico prints, interspersed with white squares that I am hand embroidering little things that she likes, doggies, horses, birds, flowers. I am so a novice at this, but a pretty fearless one. I wish I had more time, but I squeak in some every few days.
Any other sewers??
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Mom of four brave lads and one sweet lassie
Scenes From This and That
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florasita
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| Posted: Aug 24 2009 at 11:13pm | IP Logged
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I've a 1962 singer sewing machine and love it . It goes forward & backwards that's about it .
I've sewn baby clothes , halloween costumes , pants , curtains etc. on it . This was my mothers wedding gift to her from my gramma so it is special to me I grew up with it . My mum has my grammas old machine since she passed on in 88 .
The last thing I sewed were OLG pillow cases .
Personally I'm not a machine sewer I find it often like a chore needing to be done . My dd just sewed 95 cloth bags for her sisters wedding . I am so glad she did it for me repetative sewing is tedious . The sewing I truely love is hand sewing , it is so therapudic to me . I'd much rather patch or hem jeans by hand , although I do not darn socks
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May I rise & rest with words of Gratitude on my Breath
May I have the Heart & Mind of a Child in my Depth
May I forever remember to be a Light
May Peace Love & Hope be My Sight
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Sharyn
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4 lads mom wrote:
| I just started sewing last year for the first time since that draw string skirt in eighth grade home-ec class , and I love it!!! I won't tell you how many decades that span was....but it was quite a few! |
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That's the same for me too. I wish I could remember more from then. But some of it is coming back to me.
My sewing machine is my Grandma's Janome from the mid to early 80's.
I don't yet have a favourite thing to sew as I've only made two things so far since beginning again. A Bible cover,and today I made an altar cloth 
But one thing I feel for certain, I think I'm going to really enjoy sewing.
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Mum to dd (00), ds (03), dd (04), ds (06), one in God's care (08), dd (09), ds (11), one in God's care (13), and ds (13)
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guitarnan
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| Posted: Aug 25 2009 at 9:17am | IP Logged
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We're getting back into sewing, too. I have a 1980's basic Singer I'd love to trade in for something that does a few embroidery stitches. Time to start saving!
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Nancy in MD. Mom of ds (24) & dd (18); 31-year Navy wife, move coordinator and keeper of home fires. Writer and dance mom.
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MicheleQ
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Oh I am an avid seamstress (just can't call myself a sewer --sounds too stinky )! Like a lot of people I learned to sew in home ec class at school, but I really caught the bug when I was a young mom in Germany. My dh was in the Army. I had my mom's old sewing machine and a lot of time on my hands. Now I don't have a lot of time but I have a permanent sewing area set-up so I can pop in and sew when I do have the time.
I got a new machine for my birthday in July, a Brother LB6770 Sewing & Embroidery Machine and I love it! I also have a White Superlock Serger (2900ATS) which I can't imagine living without.
I sew mostly clothes for my girls and myself, though lately I have been doing a lot of altar linens since a young priest friend found out I can sew and that my machine embroiders. I've also starting to do some quilting.
I have a separate sewing/craft blog so I don't drive my extended family batty with all my projects posts.
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Michele Quigley
wife to my prince charming and mom of 10 in Lancaster County, PA USA
http://michelequigley.com
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KC in TX
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I have a basic Janome as well. I haven't used it much but plan on dusting it off and making the skirts I've had planned all summer for the girls. Luckily, summer lasts forever here in Texas.
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KC,
wife to Ben (10/94),
Mama to LB ('98)
Michaela ('01)
Emma ('03)
Jordan ('05)
And, my 2 angels, Rose ('08) and Mark ('09)
The Cabbage Patch
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organiclilac
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I have a Huskystar, which is Husqvarna's cheap brand. It still has Husqvarna insides, just a lot fewer bells and whistles. Not like my MIL's, which looks like it could pilot the space shuttle...
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Tracy, wife to Shawn, mama to Samuel (4/01) and Joseph (11/11), and Thomas (2/15)
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4 lads mom
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| Posted: Aug 25 2009 at 5:54pm | IP Logged
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[QUOTE=MicheleQ] Oh I am an avid seamstress (just can't call myself a sewer --sounds too stinky )!
Oh...I am so  ....I wasn't thinking, sewer is sewer....isn't it??? Yep...I'm a newbie!!
Michele, does your Brother have a ton of embroidery stitches? I am curious, I thought I saw one at Walmart, but it might not be the same you have.....I would love to start making altar cloths!!! The embroidery machine I have seen, a Janome, at my local sewing machine shop, is a beauty, but so is the price tag! I like buying from them, though, because I get free lessons for a year, and they have "sew-in's" every last Friday of the month. I am so new still, I feel like I need my "security blanket" of the staff at the shop, but that certainly comes at a price. 
Those who have embroidery machines, are they worth it and can you really maximize what you get out of the machine without a lot of tech support?
Love hearing about everyone's sewing!!
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Mom of four brave lads and one sweet lassie
Scenes From This and That
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4 lads mom
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MicheleQ wrote:
| Oh I am an avid seamstress (just can't call myself a sewer --sounds too stinky |
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Oh My!!! I have FINALLY after three+ years of being on this forum....have learned to quote the right way....WOOHOO!!!!! And what a quote it was, ladies and gentleman!!! Yep...I am a novice SEAMSTRESS and I can quote on 4 Real...the day is definitely going well now.
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Mom of four brave lads and one sweet lassie
Scenes From This and That
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Paula in MN
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I have a Singer Quantum 9920. I've used it less than a dozen times. However, I started dd10 on a homemaking course yesterday and sewing is on the agenda!
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 Paula
A Catholic Harvest
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lapazfarm
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I am just learning to sew on my Singer Inspiration--a very simple, inexpensive beginner's machine. So far I am enjoying the quilting process, though i have yet to complete a quilt. I have also sewn a few clothing items (simple skirts and dresses for my dd and me.)
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Theresa
us-schooling in beautiful Fairbanks, Alaska.
LaPaz Home Learning
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Mackfam
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I have a little Kenmore machine...very basic! I got it after I got married (that was almost 17 years ago). I had never once sewn before then, but I fell in love with it after I was married. I'm not a very accomplished seamstress...I can't follow a pattern at all! I wish I could! (Well, actually, I probably *could* follow a pattern, but I've never applied myself enough to try - I just observe details on a garment and copy them through trial and error on the machine. Just being totally honest!) But...if I can see it in my head, I can sew it, so I guess that's good and I so enjoy my time sewing! I love being creative with the machine! I think my favorite things to sew are those that are for the home...though I do enjoy making dresses for the girls!
Can I throw out another question?????
Where do you sew with your machine?
I have a sewing area set up, but it is in an out of the way place and I notice I feel like I'm trudging up there. I don't sew as often as I'd like because it just doesn't feel as accessible. I was chatting with a friend after Mass who is an INCREDIBLE seamstress...she keeps her machine in her kitchen with her material and notions in bins located nearby. She just sets her machine out on her table when she's ready to sew. The light is very good in my kitchen and this idea is appealing, but my kitchen table is rarely free. Where do you like to set up...where do you feel you get the most use/access out of your machine? In a space set aside for sewing?? Or keeping materials organized and in a convenient location?
Thanks for letting me sorta hijack this thread!
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Jen Mackintosh
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Wildflowers and Marbles
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violingirl
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I have a Janome Heart Truth that I really like. I grew up sewing on my mother's Bernina and after I got married I had a Pfaff that I completely burnt out after about 4 years.
My mother is a quilter and does machine quilting as a business. So I made probably 5 quilts before I graduated high school and one skirt that I got so horribly frustrated on that I completely gave up garment sewing. I received the Janome last year for my birthday after not sewing at all for about 4 years and I've been making lots of clothes now that I've gained a bit of fearlessness. :) I've made a lot of things for the boys, a few quilts, skirts for myself, etc. I have a very long list of projects for the upcoming holidays!
My machine is set up in our living room. We live in a tiny townhouse so there is no extra space to dedicate to sewing- not even in my kitchen (which is a little tiny galley). I have a desk in the living room where I do bills and menu planning and all that and I keep my machine just under along with 2 bins of fabric and notions and another bin of current projects. It's so easy to just pull the machine out and go. It took quite a bit of time to train my youngest to stay out of the bins, but he doesn't bother with them any more.
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Erin
DS (2005) DS (2007) DD (2012)
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molly
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I have and LOVE my Bernina sewing machine and Serger. I love to sew anything, I enjoy making gifts for my dc and friends. I like cutting up pieces of clothing and making new items. Foe example: I picked up leather coats from a thrift store and turned them into quivers and pouches for my boys arrows and various weapons
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4 lads mom
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Molly!!! That is so, so cool!!! I have heard Berninas are awesome, I would love to have one, I did hear that their "feet" are kind of expensive. I drove an old Volvo that quit after a gazillion miles. Berninas remind me of Volvos...they are Swiss made, aren't they? Everyone I know that has one, loves it and they last for a gazillion miles (stitches) too! Humm...I was sort of set on upgrading to a Memory Craft Janome, eventually....but I bet I would love the Bernina, just like my old beloved Volvo I better try one out at the store. My Janome reminds me of our little second car, our Toyota, which is funny, because they are based in Japan. That little machine is very dependable, not a lot of bells and whistles, but very pleasant.
Okay, enough car analogies...
Where do I put my machine? I am blessed to have a pretty decent size master bedroom, and I have set up a little sewing area in there. I have a second hand sewing table that dh had to saw off the legs a little because I am so short, (love that man!) and while it can get a little cramped, I like being pretty close to Lily's room, I can sew while she naps. The downsize is that I can't do late night sewing because my dh would be a little annoyed by the noise, while he is trying to sleep. I have thought about putting in our very tiny office, but then it would be really, really cramped. So...it's all good.
I don't blog, but it would be fun to have a "carnival" of sewing areas!! I have looked it up before, and it is amazing how many styles there are out there. Some sewing areas just take my breath away!!!
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molly
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Well I love Volvos as much as I love my Berninas. I have had 3 Volvos in my life, currently I am w/ out, we can no longer fit in one. But Berninas are defiantly worth saving your pennies for. Do check ebay and local auctions, I got my Bernina Serger at an auction for 20.00! And if you have a Bernina dealer near you, they often have older ones for sale quite reasonably priced.
My sewing area is our dining table  So I am no help there!
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crusermom
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I have a Janome Master Craft - I love it. I also have a Singer 201, 301, 221, 99k, and 401. I have picked these up off Craigslist - and my daughters (and their friends) use them. I love old vintage machines, but love the stuff my newer machine does.
What do we make? I am not the greatest seamstress, but I love to learn and we make just about everything between all of us.
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Mary
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MicheleQ
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4 lads mom wrote:
MicheleQ wrote:
| Oh I am an avid seamstress (just can't call myself a sewer --sounds too stinky )! |
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Oh...I am so ....I wasn't thinking, sewer is sewer....isn't it??? Yep...I'm a newbie!! |
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Oh not at all! It's completely "pc" these days to say sewer --I just can't do it. It sounds so un-ladylike to me so I say seamstress and show my age.
4 lads mom wrote:
Michele, does your Brother have a ton of embroidery stitches?
Those who have embroidery machines, are they worth it and can you really maximize what you get out of the machine without a lot of tech support? |
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It has 70 built-in embroidery designs, 5 monogramming fonts and 120 frame pattern combinations. The sewing machine part has 67 built-in stitches, 98 stitch functions, 10 styles of one-step automatic buttonholes. Of course I haven't even come close to using all of these and really I have done very little embroidery since I got it last month but I hope to soon! It does have a card slot and I did buy the card and card reader so I can download designs online. There are a lot of free and inexpensive ones so it's pretty cool and really adds to what you are able to do. Is it worth it? Well my machine is not just an embroidery machine it's a sewing embroidery combo and it was just under $500 so I think it was worth it just for a good machine --the embroidery option's a bonus in my opinion.
Oh, the BEST thing about this machine so far is that it tells me when I am about to run out of bobbin thread --I LOVE THAT!
4 lads mom wrote:
| Love hearing about everyone's sewing!! |
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Me too! I am little bit of a sewing . . .fanatic.
Mackfam wrote:
Where do you sew with your machine?
I have a sewing area set up, but it is in an out of the way place and I notice I feel like I'm trudging up there. I don't sew as often as I'd like because it just doesn't feel as accessible. I was chatting with a friend after Mass who is an INCREDIBLE seamstress...she keeps her machine in her kitchen with her material and notions in bins located nearby. She just sets her machine out on her table when she's ready to sew. The light is very good in my kitchen and this idea is appealing, but my kitchen table is rarely free. Where do you like to set up...where do you feel you get the most use/access out of your machine? In a space set aside for sewing?? Or keeping materials organized and in a convenient location? |
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My sewing area is in my bedroom which is quite large and gets great sunlight but like you I'd really like it to be on the main floor making me more accessible to everyone. I have been looking at ways to rearrange some things so I could bring my machines down here to my desk. There's no way I could put all my fabric and such down here but really all I need are my machines as I can still cut and prep upstairs. I have a great cutting table that my son made for me. It's 36″ wide and 72″ long so that my three 24″ x 36″ cutting mats fit perfectly on top. It’s 38″ high. I’m 5″ 6″ so this is a good height for me (OSHA recommends elbow height —I went slightly less)and it's a huge relief on my back!
The idea was to try and store ALL my fabric underneath and I almost did it. I have just two small containers left with costume type fabric in one and Christmas/holiday type stuff in the other.
My ideal is a main floor sewing area with french doors that so I can see everything and still be accessible but close the doors if I need to. But I don't have that so I make do. Also, since I have been sewing from very early in my marriage my husband is used to seeing my sewing stuff everywhere and doesn't mind.
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Michele Quigley
wife to my prince charming and mom of 10 in Lancaster County, PA USA
http://michelequigley.com
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4Real Forums : Our Lady's Loom, Larder, and Laundry
Topic: Sewing Machines
