The Sewing Room

PootleFlump_3

Great makes everyone (particularly like the shaun pyjamas! So cute!) Ive lost motivation to sew this week so just lurking instead. Kandi, I love those little pouches! You should definately start selling stuff - your sewing and your jewellery makes are amazing. How do you get the stuff on the end of the zips? I have a couple of bags where I sometimes struggle to find the zip easily so want to put a zip pull extension on them but dont have a clue where to start......

hart44

Just a quick :hello: just to let you know Im still around :rotfl:

Sorry my blog is still a work in progress it's being more of a pain to do than I thought it would so I go off and sew :rotfl:

I got a book in the charity shop yesrday called '' Take up dressmaking'' for 99p, its like new and is great for beginners as it gives great advice on starting dressmaking
I also I brought this from a charity shop for £15 to store all my fabric in

http://i906.photobucket.com/albums/ac266/hart4334/mse/drawers1.jpg
http://i906.photobucket.com/albums/ac266/hart4334/mse/drawers2.jpg
http://i906.photobucket.com/albums/ac266/hart4334/mse/drawers3.jpg

It is solid wood and I raided Focus this morning for some beautiful (expensive) wallpaper to line the bottom with. I will strip it back and Im not sure if I will wax it or paint it yet. I am so pleased and I can get rid of all the plastic boxes my fabric is in at the mo, I am getting some nice baskets to sit on the top too

Oh and this is my bag Im taking to Alton towers to keep my phone, camara and purse in, it will go over my shoulder so I can keep my hands free

http://i906.photobucket.com/albums/ac266/hart4334/mse/blackflowerbag3.jpg
http://i906.photobucket.com/albums/ac266/hart4334/mse/blackflowerbag4.jpg
http://i906.photobucket.com/albums/ac266/hart4334/mse/blackflowerbag1.jpg

Welcome to the new sewers and please if you are looking for a sewing machine DONT buy the JML or simular as everyone (including me) have had too many problems with them.
I got mine from Tesco direct and have not had any problems with it (so far :rotfl:) and I work it to death

hart44

Kandipandi wrote: »

Some good advice there about the sewing machine purchase, I guess you will have to just jump in and get one and see. I think that if you get it from John Lewis or Argos if it turns out to be crap you can get it replaced or refunded with little hassle.
Was off work poorly the other day and did some sewing and came up with this, mainly using recycled bits and bobs:



more photies on blog but you get the picture.

ETA: Its just my opinion, but I would be very wary of the JML machines I bought one for my Mam a few years back and it was total rubbish, I returned it three times before I demanded my money back.

I love these one's Kandi :T

Kandipandi

cuddles123 wrote: »

Shame we aren't closer cos I'm in exactly the same position

Cuddles ~ We could have started a shop and sat and nattered and made stuff all day long ~ my dream job

PootleFlump wrote: »

Great makes everyone (particularly like the shaun pyjamas! So cute!) Ive lost motivation to sew this week so just lurking instead. Kandi, I love those little pouches! You should definately start selling stuff - your sewing and your jewellery makes are amazing. How do you get the stuff on the end of the zips? I have a couple of bags where I sometimes struggle to find the zip easily so want to put a zip pull extension on them but dont have a clue where to start......

Pootle ~ the zip pull is made with jewellery wire/ headpins and pliers and beads. I taught myself to make jewellery so that I could add little embellishments to my sewn items but it took over for a while and I went mad making earrings, bracelets and necklaces for a while! Its a bit like sewing once you get going it's hard to stop. If you dont want to get into the whole pliers and wire malarkey you could add ribbons and buttons to the end of your zips with a little lobster clasp or other similar thing, a bit like this one I did on my (huge) pencil case:



Hart ~ I love those drawers, you got a real bargain there - I would sand them and have them shabby cream, but that's just me.

xxvickixx

Well I finally made up my mind! I just ordered a reconditioned Brother XL2230 from Sewing Machines direct for £89 with the free sewing kit and 2 year warranty. They were really helpful on the phone so thanks again to the person who recommended them. I'm so excited!
I convinced Dh that by the time I'd bought scissors and thread etc I'd be looking at at least £20 - £30 anyway so it was worth spending the extra and he agreed, but then just after placing the order, my mum called to say that if I wanted to get the Argos Brother that she would pay the extra, so she's given me the £30 anyway - result!

Thanks for everyone's help and opinions. I'm looking forward to starting making things now.

JailhouseBabe

Thanks flossie217. I've just been told that I can start work next week (part time), so my first week's wages will be going on that £90 maching.
I'm soo excited - I've never used a sewing machine before!

Kandipandi

Vicki ~ congratulations on taking the plunge, bless your Mum for adding to the sewing machine fund! If you are looking for ideas or tutorials lots of the girls on here have some great ideas to hand so just shout up. Don't forget to share pics once you create something with your new machine, you too jailhouse, and congratulations on the job!

xxvickixx

I'm going to make the playhouse curtains first which are just on a tension wire so should be dead easy, to build up a bit of confidence before I tackle my duvet cover to maxi dress conversion!

danables

Hi All! Well my 30th Birthday has been and gone and Im now the proud owner of a Brother BC2100. (The free stuff from sewing machines direct is great by the way!) Its just as well as my husband dropped my old seamstress machine (it was so heavy it dented our floor!) and broke off the thingy that you put the thread on!. Im enjoying it a lot, especially the automatic needle threader and top loading bobbin and I cant wait to show you my latest makes with it, just have a few bits to do then will post on some pics. I still have a lot to learn but its a fun process, loving everyones latest makes:T:T:T to all!

Bunny200

Made another dress for my oldest

http://hereswhatididtoday.blogspot.com/2010/04/halterneck-dress.html


I'm itching to make something for myself now as well! So many ideas too much procrastination.........