The Sewing Room

Hardup_Hester

This weekend has been mainly cooking and gardening, but I did make a door hanger to stop the doors slamming in the wind, there is a pic on my blog. I also need to finish the alterations I'm doing on a friends dress & make a skirt from a pair of trousers. I'll put the pics up as soon as they are done.

almond

Nichelette wrote: »

Jo, I'm a beginner too and have this machine: http://direct.hobbycraft.co.uk/productdetail.asp?productcatalogue=267864

I got in when it was £80 from Hobbycraft, but I noticed a bit ago that they have it in TJ Hughes for £60. It's easy to use and suits me fine for the things I want to do as a beginner (that's mostly making bags, pouches, pillow cases etc and the odd bit of clothing). It has a few zig zag stitches and does button holes, I've been very happy with it so far, and being a Brother one I'm hoping it will last well.

hi
i have this one as well really enjoy it does what i want replaced my singer i had for 25 years
would have liked a few more stitches but happy with it

danables

Hey all, I made some shorts for my little boy today. I've done so much girl stuff I thought it was about time I started catching up for my boy, so over the coming weeks I'll be posting on more boy things!. They are her http://drinkingfabric.blogspot.com/

Georgiabay wrote: »

Hope you're feeling better today.
Your peg bag is great - I was going to make one with a washing line on but I don't need to now. My daughter was throwing away a pvc coated tote bag so I'm using that. I like it as I've got certain pegs that I only use as a last resort and ones that are coloured which I can't use with articles that don't match (where's the roll eyes symbol when you need it?) With this I can look down into it and see what's there.

Oh, and I read your blog all the time and love all the things you make but don't know how to leave a comment. I have commented on here, but looking back at your blog I realised that I never said at the time that your hobby horses are amazing. Such bright colours.

Thanks, and thanks everyone for your support- im have a much beter day today :-) to leave a comment you just scroll down to the bottom of the post click on where it says comments, and pop up box will appear, anyway, thankyou and xxxVickixxx wooden dowel stick was from B&Q.

great Fathers day cards swimmumx

almond

hi ladies
need some help you know when things go from bad to worst? well car don't ask and on friday in a temper don't know what happened but broke my upper looper on my 546d brother overlocker
i got the overlocker a couple of years ago from ebay and love it, but have spent two days ringing round to see what the part would cost £40, has anybody any ideas were i can get one? tried most places i think
thanks indvance

genieuk

It's getting fairly hot over here now (36 degrees) and have relented slightly and had the aircon on in the afternoon. I have still managed to make a couple of things the past few days.

Two doorstops using some fabric scraps, all our doors will not stay open and using the wedges is pulling the paint up from the bottom of the door, so four more to go. Sorry someone posted on here a few pages back a lovely one they had made which gave me inspiration.

Also we had a charity event here a few weeks ago where people donated promises ie bake a cake, gardening, babysitting and some companies donated as well, all in all 6000+euros was raised and we are a small community. Me being me said I would bake a cake and would also make a variety of muffins for work or a coffee morning. Luckily my friend won the cake and her son asked for a pizza cake so that was what I was doing on Friday. Now I am making a pirate outfit for my youngest for school they have been learning funnily enough about pirates and are having a dress up day. Thank goodness for our charity/thrift shop is all I can say.

Georgiabay

Hi all.
My daughter's bought some material for me to make her a dress. I can't find a pattern that she wants, so I'm using a bridesmaid dress pattern that I made for myself years ago for the fitted bodice and making the skirt part up. I'm practicing first with a duvet cover which she likes anyway so that'll be two dresses she's getting.

Now here's a question specifically for Rosalie-Lavender but if anyone else can help I would be grateful because I want to get on with it today. To save using the zip she's bought for the proper dress I had an idea I could probably do lacing up the back like Rosalie-Lavender's tartan dress - is the lacing enough for the opening or is a side zip needed as well?

natc

Nichelette wrote: »

Jo, I'm a beginner too and have this machine: http://direct.hobbycraft.co.uk/productdetail.asp?productcatalogue=267864

I got in when it was £80 from Hobbycraft, but I noticed a bit ago that they have it in TJ Hughes for £60. It's easy to use and suits me fine for the things I want to do as a beginner (that's mostly making bags, pouches, pillow cases etc and the odd bit of clothing). It has a few zig zag stitches and does button holes, I've been very happy with it so far, and being a Brother one I'm hoping it will last well.

The same sewing machine is £79.99 in argos - bargain me thinks http://www.argos.co.uk/static/Product/partNumber/4600176/c_1/1|category_root|Gifts+and+hobbies|14417351/c_2/3|cat_15701076|Art+and+crafts|14417376.htm?_$ja=tsid:11527|cc:|prd:4600176|cat:kitchen+%26+laundry+%3E+sewing+machines+and+accessories

Wee_Jo

Thanks everyone for the advice on the sewing machine front! I feel a bit better now, having taken time to look through all the possible features and I think I know what to look for now. The Brother model that Nichelette, NatC and Almond mentioned seems to be hard to beat, so I'm going to look into it.

The Sewing Machine$ Direct website that Rosalie-Lavender recommended was absolutely brill as it went through all of the possible features and what they were for, so I could better understand what I needed and what I wouldn't use (at least at the beginning!)

Thank you everyone!

ssparry

Morning, hope you don't mind me posting on this thread. I need a pattern cut for a hood of a buggy. Where could I get this done? Have tried a few fabric shops to no avail.

natc

Jo_Rourke, that Brother one we have mentioned is the one i think i would have got, its good price and does what you need it to do. I ended up getting an ex display Janome, but only only because it was half the price in Dunlem Mill, and saw it on the off chance. Just check the reviews on the Brother LS 2125, ive never used it before and wouldnt want you to get it and not be happy with it. Argos have loads of reviews on it.

I was lucky as mine came from Dunelm, there was a lovely lady there who did a demo on my Janome one and i loved it. Maybe try going into a sewing machine store if you have one near you and try a couple out first to get a feel for the different models. This way you can see the different functions, what you will need and what you wont need, and the different makes and models all feel different. I love my machine, but the ones we are using at our sewing course are Janome, although a differnt model to mine at home, and it doesnt feel as nice as mine. But then again, your sewing machine becomes your baby and you get to love it!

Really, if you can, try some out at a store, and then a good person to speak to is Russ from Sewing Machines Direct. http://www.sewingmachines.co.uk/testimonials.htm
You should be able to get your sewing machine cheaper here, and he is really nice and helpful, will tell you honestly which one he thinks would be good for you on your budget and needs.