The Sewing Room

Savvy_sewing

kirstysmudge88 wrote: »

As a beginner wanting to start the 'sewing' craze, what would be the best sewing machine to start off with?

TIA
Kirsty

There are so many links and ideas throughout the thread about sewing machines. But the main thing that we all seem to say is to think about what you want the machine for, and to buy the best you can afford in your budget.
Mine are SilverViscount, and Janoeme, with my new one being a toyota.
I would suggest that you dont buy one of the small machines, that are in Jlewis etc, circa £50 odd as they are really more for just doing the odd hem etc.
Aim for a machine that will do the basics, straight stitch, zigzag, button holes and that come with a zip foot too. You dont need loads of fancy stitches but if you can afford a machine with some, then you will be able to expand as you grow accustomed to your machine.
Go to the stores, and try them all out.
See how you like the features. Some have bobbins that drop in, others that go in from below the plates. Its a case of preference really.

Annybananny

Folks may already use this site and I don't know if this is even the right place to put this but I got some lovely fabric here http://www.chawlas.com/ great prices and super fast delivery, ordered on Sunday evening and came today. A couple of meteres each of pale blue pin dot cotton and an embroidered cotton to make blouses for the summer!

Ann

sk00bie1

cuddles123 wrote: »

Yes you can pay with Paypal as that's what I did. So nothing to cancel!

Hi all!

Am just de-lurking to mention that it may have set up a recurring payment using paypal to pay for the subcription.

It's easy to see if you do or not, just log in to your Paypal and go to My Account > My Money > My pre-approved payments.

If you have a recurring payment it will be listed and according to paypal you can cancel by clicking the button. No mention of it being like a recurring payment using a debit card, where you have to contact the supplier to cancel.

HTH

PS love all your makes! Back to lurking :rotfl:

Savvy_sewing

Have sold one of my Hearts on a string today. And when the lady was collecting it, some of her friends passed the gate so they saw it and are now interested in my bunting etc. So fingers crossed that people will start to know about my sewing from the area. Thats the problem with not knowing anyone here. But time will tell.

cuddles123

Thank you sk00bie1 - just checked and I have no payments.:j

Savvy_sewing

cte1111 wrote: »

£4 cashback if you go through quidco to isubscribe.

Popular Patchwork 3 for £3
http://www.isubscribe.co.uk/Popular-...bscription.cfm

Popular Crafts 3 for £3
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I've signed up to lots of these introductory offers in the past and never had any problems, as long as you remember to cancel the direct debit after the initial payment has been taken out.

WARNING. If doing it through the cash back, you will only get the cash back if you complete a full 12 months subscription.
Terms and conditions on Quidco site.
Cashback for Direct Debit purchase is only payable on direct debit subscriptions under £6 a month
The cashback offered for Direct Debit is up to £4, depending on the cost of your order, please read the following for clarification of the cashback you will be paid:
Terms & Conditions apply to Special Offer Subscriptions under £6 via direct debit:
These subscriptions have a minimum 12 month term applied to every order. Direct debit cancellations are only accepted at the discretion of the publisher. The cashback offer on these Special Offer subscriptions is capped at a maximum of £12 per user per month and limited to 3 subscriptions only. Direct Debit transactions cancelled before a payment has been taken will result in your cashback being declined. Any cashback claims submitted for cancelled Direct Debit transactions will also be rejected.
Please note, when a single product order is under £4, the cashback offer will match the value of that order. For example if the offer is a magazine subscription of 3 issues for £1 then the cashback on this single product order will be £1.

• Members should only use voucher codes listed on Quidco. If you use voucher codes or gift vouchers that are not listed on Quidco your cashback may not track or be declined.

• Cashback may only be paid on the net value excluding VAT, all other taxes, surcharges and any additional costs such as delivery.

rufusdog52

I have been having a go at the felting. I made one scarf last week which looks nice but it was a bit holey and delicate, I couldn't have put enough fibres in it so I did another one this morning and think I might have gone the other way and made it a bit too thick lol. It is still damp at the moment so I will see what its like when its dry.

Only thing about them is I am wondering whether they will be too itchy to wear next to the skin or not.

Here are a couple of photos of the first one





I'm not sure whether I will be taking this up as a hobby, I will probably just use up what I have already bought, but you never know.

Savvy_sewing

There was a felting workshop in our town hall today, sort of a taster session, but alas it had just finished when I was visiting. But it looks interesting.
I think your scarf looks great Rufusdog.
I got an order for some bunting last night, and another enquiry today, so thats work for me, that I must do. That will mean setting the machine up at the dining room table as my rooms are still not done.

Keiss_21

Great scarf rufus, looks lovely, well done!! :T

Congratulations on getting some orders mooloo...typical, they come when you're not able to use your sewing room!

Cut out most of my wall hanging bits yesterday, though still have a bit too do, I have chosen my materials, so they don't get packed away. I will be able to access all my stuff in the next month, but don't want to be rummaging about in the shed in the dark when I despertely need just one bit of material!!

So now I have some fabric painting and quilting ahead in the next week....can't wait!! Not packed everything away yet, need to finish that, then get all the boxes moved out of my "craft room"...DS1 comes home tomorrow, so needs his bedroom back!!!

Been resting for a bit and watching Wales win the Grand Slam..well done to them. :beer: I will not mention how atrocious Scotland were, back to the drawing board for them!!

It's DH's birthday today, so he is having a lovely lazy day watching all the rugby, though he has been helping me do a bit of tidying during the half-times and break between matches...one more to go!! Getting a takeaway for tea...can't remember when we last did that, wonderfully decadent :D

Enjoy the rest of the weekend folks x

Savvy_sewing

Two girls buntings to make, one with Reds one with pinks. and thier names. Also in the pipeline if they are liked some boys. Rufusdog, where did you get your material with the skulls/crossbones? stuff. Think it was you that had it, as they are interested in some on one of the boys things. I have a small amount of the one with Roses/skulls still left but think that that may be a bit too feminine, if skulls can be feminine.

Cut out and started to make DGD a pair of jeans out of a pair of BF's Jeans. See if I can recycle them, but I didnt have a pattern so not sure if my drafting one will work or not. But nothing ventured nothing gained after all. Can always turn them into a bag if they dont work.
Have set up the machine on the dining table, and DGD got her little machine out and put it up, but she cannot readh the footpedal, so she is using it on the table top bit like a laptop mouse!