Crafting for Christmas 2010, lets begin again......

princesspoppypop

donquine wrote: »

Thanks, that's really encouraging. I really want to get back into crafting next year and make (at least some) Christmas presents. I'm always far too busy in November/December - so if I start now, I'll be able to do it. I just need to be more organised! :T

Currently reading through here and here to steal ideas for 2010.

When I got my sewing machine the worst bit was threading the bottom bobbin..... now its a total doddle.

Ive made loads of things although I always hand stitch my sock monkeys as I find it easier.

donquine

princesspoppypop wrote: »

When I got my sewing machine the worst bit was threading the bottom bobbin..... now its a total doddle.

Ive made loads of things although I always hand stitch my sock monkeys as I find it easier.

I'd probably hand stitch things like sock monkeys too, TBH. Whenever I find myself hand sewing straight lines, I get really annoyed at myself, because that's the sort of thing that someone else could do in minutes using a machine and it takes me forever.

How long did it take you to learn how to sew anything to a standard you weren't embarrassed to give out? If I buy a sewing machine in January, reckon I'll be able to make simple projects for Christmas 2010?

Mrs_Boo_Boo

Thank you everyone, you all sound so knowledgeable and enthusiastic. Had a plan to make all my cards and the majority of presents this year but as usual can't get my act together and it all came too quickly. I forget every year that there are social events to attend, which eat into precious time,I have my annual report at work which takes time and 4 birthdays. It gets too much. have decided that 2010 is going to be different and I will be better off and more organised. I will look foward to this thread to get me started.
Off to compile a card list from the cards I've received, for next year and make a wrapping paper holder on my sewing machine so they can go away. Hav enough wrapping paper for a couple of christmas and birthday years bought in the sales.
Take care everyone we can do it in 2010.

donquine

Mrs_Boo_Boo wrote: »

Hav enough wrapping paper for a couple of christmas and birthday years bought in the sales.

My goal for 2010 is to remember where I tidied away last year's wrapping paper so I don't end up buying more paper I don't need! :rotfl:

stardrops42

donquine wrote: »

I'd probably hand stitch things like sock monkeys too, TBH. Whenever I find myself hand sewing straight lines, I get really annoyed at myself, because that's the sort of thing that someone else could do in minutes using a machine and it takes me forever.

How long did it take you to learn how to sew anything to a standard you weren't embarrassed to give out? If I buy a sewing machine in January, reckon I'll be able to make simple projects for Christmas 2010?

Hi

You will find sock monkeys are so much quicker to make if you machine sew the body parts first and then hand sew it together after stuffing it:D Mine still take me approx 5 hours to make so I would dread to think how long it would take me if I hand stitched the whole thing:eek::D

princesspoppypop

stardrops42 wrote: »

Hi

You will find sock monkeys are so much quicker to make if you machine sew the body parts first and then hand sew it together after stuffing it:D Mine still take me approx 5 hours to make so I would dread to think how long it would take me if I hand stitched the whole thing:eek::D

I only make small monkeys and hand stitching takes 4 hours to make each one although I do make personalised wings for them too.

Its too fiddly for me to sew the tiny parts on my sewing machine.

princesspoppypop

donquine wrote: »

I'd probably hand stitch things like sock monkeys too, TBH. Whenever I find myself hand sewing straight lines, I get really annoyed at myself, because that's the sort of thing that someone else could do in minutes using a machine and it takes me forever.

How long did it take you to learn how to sew anything to a standard you weren't embarrassed to give out? If I buy a sewing machine in January, reckon I'll be able to make simple projects for Christmas 2010?

When I got my sewing machine last Christmas I hadn`t made anything... apart from sewing lines on fabric using my Mums machine when I was younger.
The first thing I made was a pair of cushions, one I made a fabric rose for, then I made a pink gingham cushion with frilled edge... I`m self taught - I figured out how to add zips from looking at the cushions I had at home.

An alternative to zips is to make an envelope back and add a few buttons for decoration.

Ive made hanging hearts too which are real easy - cut out two heart templates and with right sides facing sew round leaving a gap for turning and stuffing add a piece of ribbon and button and your done.

I have all the Tilda sewing books and these are great for gift ideas although again I hand sew most of the things I make from those.

Poppy x

princesspoppypop

When I charge my camera up I`ll post some simple sewing projects on my blog.

Poppy x

alyssa_liss

omg i think im become obsed with crafty stuff

i want a sewing machine now (infact im sure theres one in the house somewhere)

Trow

Sewing seems to becoming a big thing - I got a sewing machine for Christmas - I haven't touched on since I was 13 years old, which was longer ago than I'd like to think...

Maybe we should have a sewing for beginners thread, as there seems to be a lot of it about!