Make do, Mend and Minimise in 2015

GreyQueen wrote: »

Hi Sashanut, would you be able to post a photo of the presser feet, or a link to what you bought, so's we could have a look at them and see if we can puzzle it out together?

My present machine is an Elna and the presser feet release by pressing a small lever behind the foot (they just drop) and the other feet are just positioned in place so their horizontal bar is below the stem of the presser foot holder and you put the foot down and it clamps on. My 1970s Singer wasn't dissimilar so it's likely to be some variation of lever to release and snap-on for the new foot. Sorry but I've never owned a Brother and haven't used one since college and memory doesn't serve to well on some details after 30 years.

Thanks GQ for the help, I feel really stupid with this one! Hopefully this is the link to what I bought http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/231417477146?_trksid=p2059210.m2749.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT




and the machine is a Brother UJ417, dates to 2012
Haven't tried it again yet but will have another go tomorrow, am going to my weekly craft club at the Library - free - except for 50p for tea & biscs. Our oldest lady is 85 & we do all sorts of crafts. Maybe one of the ladies there will have an idea, will ask.


BTW did put up the painting - has also been down since before Christmas - looks great but still no-one noticed.....


With your story Mothernerd, at least they were all males - I thought DD might just have been more observant LOL

:eek: Wow, Lynplatinum, I certainly won't attempt that, thank you so much for the warning.

Clytemnestra wrote: »

Delurking to say that I think resin is a posh name for plastic, as in "resin figurine" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dADTD5lL0B4

Loving the thread.

As you were:)

Thank you for that, I started to have a look at the clip linked to, plus other things on the same page and I think I've found a new area of webinterest, have always liked to know how things are made.

Anne_Marie wrote: »

You really should give it a try, nothing lost really if they can't help you. My Mum had been quoted an extortionate price to have a jewel which had come loose in her watch face. I took her to a little watch shop, which had tags with numbers, but no prices in the window, and just asked how much. We were both shocked at how little it was, to have repaired, compared to what she had been quoted in high street shops.

I tend to agree with VJsMum; if you need to ask, you can't afford it, but if I have time on my hands I might mooch in one day.....

Hey, VJsMum, and that guy is in the world capital of knock-offs, you'd think he'd get one of those and trouser the difference, wouldn't you?

sashanut, I'll have to leave it until after work, but I'll have a study on it later today and see if my brain throws up anything useful, long shot but who knows, I like to think of MSE Old Style as like a Borg Brain; someone here is bound to know the answer.

Sashanut - You'll wait a long time before anyone notices believe me! I decided long ago that unless you actually ASK men they generally don't notice anything particularly (2 hubbies & 2 sons later!)
Just carry on and do things to your own satisfaction
Back to the talk of watches - I got fed up of sending DH's off to have new batteries so I got him to buy me a C***zen that doesn't need batteries. It was from A*gos and on offer. I've had it nearly 10 years now & I would recommend them to anyone. I rarely take my watches off so they must be robust and waterproof. This one has been swimming, diving & sailing & keeps perfect time.
Off shopping today with DS! - he's cleared out his wardrobe of all the c*ap & needs some new clothes & I have a voucher for M&S so may treat him
Have a good day all.

Good Morning, Everyone,

I've just managed to delete all of my post, so here goes again.Thank you for your kind comments, Janb5, that really brightened my day. The gods are obviously rooting for me not to spend money as I'm snowed in. I'm well aware that the testing time will be the last ten days or so of the challenge when I'll really have to exercise some ingenuity to make decent food and have a balanced diet.

I didn't eat all of my warm chicken chilli salad last night; no doubt because I was sampling the bread and biscuits I made; so, apart from stuffing the pepper for lunch, I'll be eating leftovers today which means that I can get on with some sewing.

Here's a tasty way to bake cheap chicken - the recipe uses chicken breasts, but those little chicken pieces or even turkey pieces are fine. I'll be cooking this later in the month to use up more of those Chinese egg noodles that are lurking in my pantry!

Chicken Parcels with Lemon and Sesame 4-6 servings

3 tablespoons white sesame seed s, teaspoon black peppercorns, small bunch of spring onions, including some green tops, 150ml light soy sauce, tablespoon light brown sugar, 4-6 chicken breasts/pieces, skinned and cut into bite-sized pieces, large lemon, sliced, tablespoon groundnut oil.

Place the sesame seeds and peppercorns in a dry pan and shake over heat until the seeds jump and smell toasty. Crush both in a mortar (if you haven't got a pestle and mortar, contain them in a polythene bag and bash them with a rolling pin). mix the crushed spice, onion, soy sauce and sugar in a bowl. Add the chicken, turn well to coat and leave for about an hour to absorb the flavours.

Cut four pieces of foil about 6 inches square, oil them, then spoon a heap of chicken with some marinade onto each square. Lay a thin slice of lemon on top, sprinkle with a little lemon juice, then wrap neatly and bake on a baking sheet at 190 degrees/gas mark 4) for 30 minutes or until well cooked but tender.

Serve with Chinese egg noodles, sprinkled with soy sauce and a green salad.

Right, I need to get going with the ironing etc before I can sew, so will pop in later to read all your lovely posts

Have a good day, Folks !

Viv xx