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The Sewing Room
Comments
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abby1234519 wrote: »http://howaboutorange.blogspot.com
Its full of cute little things to make!
Also, the boyfriend is buying me a sewing machine. I'm a novice, haven't sewn in years so don't know what sewing machine to get. I don't want it to be expensive, any ideas for a good reliable starter that doesn't cost the earth
Hi. It really does depend on your budget and what you intend to use your machine for when. The advice I was given was 'spend as much as you can as you will soon find that you outgrow your machine'.
Do you have a local shop where you can sit in front of the machines to give them a test drive before deciding? That is the best way to be honest and you will always be able to pop back in and ask how to do this and that and pick their brains. However, if you are like lots of us then buying online may be your easiest option but you do have to pay your money and hope that you have made the right choice. It's not ideal though. I think that if you stick with the better known brands then you won't go far wrong. Brother and Janome are excellent. Singer seem to be having a bit of a revival and I have heard really good opinions about machines from British firm Silver. If I could afford a new machine I'd be very tempted to try a Silver this time.
I bought my machine online from https://www.sewingmachinesdirect.co.uk. They were very helpful answering my questions before I made a final decision and delivery was first class too.
Just had a thought - have a look on your local freecycle or put in a wanted request. You might just come up with a little gem.
Also, if you can find who services sewing machines locally to you he may have a bargain reconditioned second hand machine.
And, if you can find a sewing group someone there may have an unwanted machine they would consider selling to you. Lots of people buy a basic machine and then upgrade to one with more features.
I don't think I have helped you very much and probably muddled your thinking up a bit more but good luck anyway in making your choice and please let us know what you get.0 -
Good Morning everyone,
Having a panic today. Went to John Lewis yesterday to get the fabric i need for my curtains and blind of my lounge diner and got a bit carried away and spent £166 and still need to get the blind kit and lining fabric.
Before i spent the money i was very confident i could make them now i am so panicked. Really dont want to destroy the fabric. I'm sure i'll be fine but need to find my confidence.
This is my main fabric http://www.johnlewis.com/282640/Product.aspx and i will be putting strips of plain red on the sides as my blind has t be 210cm wide.
Has anyone here made a roman blind before incase i get stuck would be great to have someone to ask.
Thanks
PS. Loving all the post xmas makes guys. xxxDebt Free by Xmas 2013 No #131 £1199/£2,000
Virtual Sealed Pot 2013 No #55 £33.900 -
Good Morning everyone,
Having a panic today. Went to John Lewis yesterday to get the fabric i need for my curtains and blind of my lounge diner and got a bit carried away and spent £166 and still need to get the blind kit and lining fabric.
.
Has anyone here made a roman blind before incase i get stuck would be great to have someone to ask.
I too have the fabric, lining & tape etc but lack the confidence - and at the moment, the space to lay it out on the floor
I had a look at this site http://www.housetohome.co.uk/articles/How_to_make_a_patterned_Roman_blind_265048.html plus a book from the library which I kept re-newing until I wasn't able to any longer
I will get around to it eventually.......hopefully!0 -
Hello everyone & welcome newbies
A couple of blogs that I follow are doing beginners sewing classes for all those of you that got sewing machines for Christmas. (doesnt it seem like sooo long ago already?)
The first is at Tilly and the buttons A UK-based blogger that mainly does dressmaking & some other projects
The other ones are US based, but I have to wait for the next posts as I cannot remember who it is and I am subscribed to hundreds of blogs on my google reader. I will update soon.
Also there is the no-chat thread for tutorials or useful videos/blogs that you come across/use, so please remember to add to it so that the thread gets bumped up every now & then.0 -
hi
any advice on a new overlocker would welcome any reviews are fancying a brother one0 -
hi
any advice on a new overlocker would welcome any reviews are fancying a brother one
Hi
I have the Brother 1034D - It is a great machine. Never had any problems even with several layers of fabric. It is really, really easy to thread as it has colour coded arrows showing exactly how to thread each of the four spools. I would highly recommend this machine. The only thing it doesn't have is a trim trap to collect the trimmings but I got one on the internet for £9.00 - I will get you the website name if you are interested.0 -
Managed to get to the sewing machine for about 30 minutes today. Better then nothing I suppose. Made a small stuffed/scented pillow for putting in drawers. Made with recycled fabrics, and a piece of fabric that we printed a picture of flowers on via the computer. I will try and get it photographed and show you later. Bit of fun really, just to get me into the sewing room and feeling as if I am doing something. For the rest of the day with no child care, it will be some hand stitching of some square together, for the patchwork. (All scraps from other projects that are too small for anything else really. So unless I make other things it stops!).
I havent used my overlocker for a little while. But when making clothes and curtains etc, it was a complete godsend. When making the wedding dresses in another life time, it was invaluable. I would not like to be without it when I get sewing again properly.When I die I will know that I have lived, loved, mattered and made a difference, even if in a small way.0 -
I too have the fabric, lining & tape etc but lack the confidence - and at the moment, the space to lay it out on the floor
I had a look at this site http://www.housetohome.co.uk/articles/How_to_make_a_patterned_Roman_blind_265048.html plus a book from the library which I kept re-newing until I wasn't able to any longer
I will get around to it eventually.......hopefully!Decluttering Achieved - 2023 - 10,364 Decluttering - 2024 - 8,365 August - 0/45
GC NSD 2023 - 242/365
2023 Craft Makes - 245 Craft Spends 2023 - £676.03/£400
Books read - 2023 - 37
GC - 2024 4 Week Period £57.82/£100 NSD - 138
2024 Craft Makes - 240 Craft Spends 2024 £426.80/£5000 -
I have made roman blinds before. They are not really as scarey as they seam. You just need to have straightlines for the rings and cords to run smoothly. Its maths.
One thing that I have learnt over the years, is that Maths is the basis to sewing. be it your measurements, the cloth or the end results, learning how to calculate the outcome is the most important part of sewing. The old addage measure twice cut once!
Just take a deep breathe, and a leap of faith. You can do it. Just dont rush things.When I die I will know that I have lived, loved, mattered and made a difference, even if in a small way.0 -
Good Morning everyone,
Having a panic today. Went to John Lewis yesterday to get the fabric i need for my curtains and blind of my lounge diner and got a bit carried away and spent £166 and still need to get the blind kit and lining fabric.
Before i spent the money i was very confident i could make them now i am so panicked. Really dont want to destroy the fabric. I'm sure i'll be fine but need to find my confidence.
This is my main fabric http://www.johnlewis.com/282640/Product.aspx and i will be putting strips of plain red on the sides as my blind has t be 210cm wide.
Has anyone here made a roman blind before incase i get stuck would be great to have someone to ask.
Thanks
PS. Loving all the post xmas makes guys. xxx
hi dont be put off just measure and write down all the sizes dont forget to add on for hems top and bottom.
dont be tempted to rush do a little bit at a time and you will be fine.
as for roman blinds ive made 7 in the last year for our new house they will be on my blog and have not used a kit for any of them, the last one i made was just over 8ft wide.
again its preparation and double checking measurements.0
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