The Sewing Room

PootleFlump_3

My first Xmas present is finished....and here he is!!



More piccies on my blog if anyone fancies a peek. I think he is really cute!!

Sarahjovi

PootleFlump wrote: »

My first Xmas present is finished....and here he is!!



More piccies on my blog if anyone fancies a peek. I think he is really cute!!

Wow thats fantastic Pootle.... well done!

Sarah:D

23rdspiral

hey pootle, thats so cute!!

Bunny200

amymac wrote: »

I'm just starting to get in to quilting and went to the Festival of Quilts at Birmingham in August with two busloads of Scottish quilters, it was a great weekend trip. I saw the Lisa Lam 'Bag Making Bible' there but had spent all my funds (and then some!) by the time I came across it.

Saw it mentioned on here at a very good price and ordered it from Amazon but the delivery estimate is 5 Jan - 14 Feb 2011! Has anyone else ordered it and waited a long time for delivery?

I've got lots of other projects I can get on with, so not too worried though.

You could get one direct from her, signed as well!!
http://www.u-handbag.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=9&products_id=908

PootleFlump_3

amymac wrote: »

Hello everyone. I'd like to join in on the thread if I may, been enjoying the pics of your makes and the general sewing chit chat. Been sewing (on and off) for many years, and for the past year or so much more on with mostly craft items.

I'm just starting to get in to quilting and went to the Festival of Quilts at Birmingham in August with two busloads of Scottish quilters, it was a great weekend trip. I saw the Lisa Lam 'Bag Making Bible' there but had spent all my funds (and then some!) by the time I came across it.

Saw it mentioned on here at a very good price and ordered it from Amazon but the delivery estimate is 5 Jan - 14 Feb 2011! Has anyone else ordered it and waited a long time for delivery?

I've got lots of other projects I can get on with, so not too worried though.

Mine said that too when I ordered it on Amazon (think mine said 23rd December or thereabouts) but it arrived today. :T

amymac

Thanks Pootleflump, that's reassuring - hope mine will arrive sooner than the estimated delivery date too. Looking forward to it

amymac

Bunny200 wrote: »

You could get one direct from her, signed as well!!

Thanks for finding that Bunny200. It's quite a bit more expensive on her site £13.50 plus postage compared to £7.50 post free on Amazon.

I saw her at the quilting exhibition, she was signing copies of her book but as I mentioned before when I came across it I had already spent what I had saved for the trip and more, so decided I could live without the book for a while yet.

Looks like I may get the book from Amazon fairly soon, looking forward to it.

genieuk

I have ordered the Bag making Bible as well didn't even realise how long it was for delivery unless its just changed.

I have also ordered this book http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/0715337785/ref=oss_product

danemi1

only just found out about this book - bag making bible - have folk on here already got it - is it worth getting?

A friend of mine - different style but worth knowing - absolutely and totally loves quilt yourself gorgeous - she is a sewing teacher at a senior school and has been helping me when I see her (only occasionally) but she has recommended I get hold of a copy as it is sooooo good = on my list for Santa and now I am thinking about adding this bag one too if you lovely ladies think it is good

Chillout5892

emzeebabez wrote: »

Heya I've not been on this thread before but have been told about you from over on the shabby chic thread

I posted for some help as I am at the very newest end of beginner in sewing!

Does anyone have any advice on a suitable sewing machine. I don't really want to spend a fortune on my first one until I know what I'm doing. I have seen a Argos value machine on their website for £60ish it does have very good reviews but I still don't really know what to look out for. I would love to hear anyones recommendations I don't even have a basic starter sewing kit

A shabby chic-er has pointed me in the direction of this lil un from john lewis.... i promise im not letting the pinkness take over my head.. but what do you think?
http://www.johnlewis.com/230958290/Product.aspx

much appreciate all help

Hi there emzeebabez

Hope you don't mind me posting in your the sewing room. I've visited a few times, but never introduced myself.

I would be cautious of the plastic sewing machines sold at about £60. The reason is that their working parts are also made of plastic. This makes them unrepairable. These machines are sold as a (passing) hobby tool. The interior working parts have to move in a rapid fashion and speed creates heat and friction. Heat warps plastic and makes it brittle, increasing the chance of small pieces snapping off, and they will. Sewing machine menders do not repair inexpensively made plastic machines, because they do not contain standard parts.

I think of a sewing machine more as a household essential. In the same way as buying a computer, increases your horizons as to what you can do now you have it, a sewing machine, once mastered will make possible projects which once you would never have considered to ever be within your grasp.

It may be difficult for you to tell the difference between a plastic bodied machine with metal engine parts, and a plastic machine with plastic parts. With new machines, it's price. Once you get to about £120+ you're on safer ground, but check with the vendor. Another problem with lighter sewing machines with plastic outer cases is that although they are easier to move around, they can become unstable at speed as they can vibrate. You can't hold a machine still and sew in a straight line at the same time. Neither do you want to reduce your sewing to 10cms strips at a time.

As keeping costs low is important to you, if there is a sewing machine shop near you, I would recommend you visit and ask if they sell reconditioned secondhand machines with warranties. You will be able to purchase a used machine of a much higher standard for a similar price to a plastic disposable hobby one.

Most sewing machine sellers and committed sewers. A few visits to the shop showing enthusiasm for sewing, and you'll make a friend and they will be far more helpful and likely to meet your needs, rather than try to meet their own. Of course they will try to sell you one with complicated embroidery electronics. Think carefully, are you really going to use those functions? More than 5 times???

The least you need is a machine that can work in reverse, has a buttonhole function, does basic zigzags, a good light and winds bobbins. Make sure you can open it up to,
1. brush out the fluff that it creates and collects from the fabric it sews, and
2 easily oil the moving joints.
These are essential acts of maintenance for all sewing machines owners.
If you don't clean them out the the fluff, it may ignite!!! It's happened to me.

I bought my 'Aisin' which was made in Taiwan about 20 years ago for £40 from a shop once they realised I wasn't going to buy a computerised Neff. (Aisin was bought by and later sold as Toyota.) It is a basic 'landrover' machine. Easy to take apart and maintain. As well as the basics it has 4 stitch sizes, a zigzag width control, needle position control (left, centre or right, handy for putting in zips) a twin needle function and options for blind hemming, stretch fabric blind hemming, overcasting and overlocking (well sort of). But best of all, it got an extension table. I really don't need any more. It's made countless curtains, clothes and bags and furniture covers.

It's used frequently. Built in 1972, it's easily got another 20-30 years in it if not longer, if it's looked after. The problem for manufacturers is that machines built before the 90s could last a life time, literally. Passed from one generation to the next, with standard replaceable, parts it became increasingly difficult to sell new ones. Hence the introduction of disposable machines. I'd get a good secondhand one while they are still available.

Hope this information helps.