The Sewing Room

flea72

in-the-beach-hut wrote: »

Good to see all your blogs and shops - not sure how much more room I have for my favourites folder....

Can I pick your sewing brains? Anyone suggest a good sewing book to get? It's my birthday soon and my friend wants to get me a sewing book so has asked me which one I'd like - I'm no expert but have made a few sock monkeys, cushion covers, bags and other simple projects so nothign too complication.... any ideas? Thanks, Lucy x

is it crafts/soft furnishings you want to stick with?

do you prefer practical or frivolous makes?

F

Sunshine12

Hi everyone,
Have spent the last 2 hours reading through 43 pages of inspiration!! What a fantastic thread. I am totally new to all this and dont even have a machine yet but have just started classes so keen to get one soon.

Im looking at this one http://www.sewingmachines.co.uk/Janome4623_info.htm and would be really keen to know if anyone has one and whether its a good machine for a beginner.

Going to my 2nd class tomorrow night to make this.... http://sewing.patternreview.com/Patterns/1269 (the one in the top right) so wish me luck!! Ill try and post a piccie once I finish it. Hopefully wont be too much of a disaster.

Thanks everyone for all the ideas on here. I cant wait to get my hands on a machine now!! Great thread. x

positivelymummy

Sunshine12 wrote: »

Hi everyone,
Have spent the last 2 hours reading through 43 pages of inspiration!! What a fantastic thread. I am totally new to all this and dont even have a machine yet but have just started classes so keen to get one soon.

Im looking at this one http://www.sewingmachines.co.uk/Janome4623_info.htm and would be really keen to know if anyone has one and whether its a good machine for a beginner.

Going to my 2nd class tomorrow night to make this.... http://sewing.patternreview.com/Patterns/1269 (the one in the top right) so wish me luck!! Ill try and post a piccie once I finish it. Hopefully wont be too much of a disaster.

Thanks everyone for all the ideas on here. I cant wait to get my hands on a machine now!! Great thread. x

good luck with your machine and class. machine looks great, i just got the cheapest one i could a couple of years ago, its called wimsew and was about £90 (with free fabric scissors which were really good too) it does everything i need it too, i think a sewing machine just takes time to get used too (especially with the tension) and the only advice i can add is whatever you get, clean it regularly, i use an old makeup brush to get rid of the fluff and lint etc...which reminds me, i must oil it this week!

gemsmember

Have you tried Freecycle in your area, someone is often giving away a sewing machine, they maybe the older variety, but are usually in good working order. You can also ask for one on there. You will be surprised what people give away for free.

gemsmember

I don't have that particular Janome machine, but do have one of their coverstitch machines which I am very pleased with. I have also purchased from Sewing machines Direct and found them good to deal with.

Good luck with your sewing class, I am sure your skirt will turn out great, you have picked a pattern that shouldn't be too difficult .

Kandipandi

in-the-beach-hut wrote: »

Good to see all your blogs and shops - not sure how much more room I have for my favourites folder....

Can I pick your sewing brains? Anyone suggest a good sewing book to get? It's my birthday soon and my friend wants to get me a sewing book so has asked me which one I'd like - I'm no expert but have made a few sock monkeys, cushion covers, bags and other simple projects so nothign too complication.... any ideas? Thanks, Lucy x

I asked a very similar question a while ago and this book was suggested:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Sew-Pretty-Homestyle-Irresistible-Projects/dp/0715327496

and I love it, its just perfect for making bits.

Kandipandi

Sunshine12 wrote: »

Hi everyone,
Have spent the last 2 hours reading through 43 pages of inspiration!! What a fantastic thread. I am totally new to all this and dont even have a machine yet but have just started classes so keen to get one soon.

Im looking at this one http://www.sewingmachines.co.uk/Janome4623_info.htm and would be really keen to know if anyone has one and whether its a good machine for a beginner.

Going to my 2nd class tomorrow night to make this.... http://sewing.patternreview.com/Patterns/1269 (the one in the top right) so wish me luck!! Ill try and post a piccie once I finish it. Hopefully wont be too much of a disaster.

Thanks everyone for all the ideas on here. I cant wait to get my hands on a machine now!! Great thread. x

Looking forward to seeing your finished skirt. I would not dare attempt clothes yet, but this is something I would love to have a go at when i get a bit more proficient.

zombiecazz

positiveleymummy - your quilt is just lovely.

I made some retro napkins for a swap recently. The lady wanted 70s retro orange and or brown napkins to match her living room. I fortunately had the perfect curtains to cut up.
I then embroidered some Groovy mushrooms on them.



Napkins where basically cut into squares and them hemmed all the way round.

rosepink1984

Positivelymummy I love your quilt, that’s so lovely! Your shop is lovely, as I mentioned to Loupoppins, I’ve been thinking of opening one on there.

23rdspiral sorry about your nan

Loupoppins I love your bunting! Well done on opening your shop on folksy, is it very complicated to start it up? I’ve got one on etsy, and have been thinking about branching out into folksy. Here is my etsy one: https://www.etsy.com/shop/thesequinnedsheep

Gemsmember I will check out Misi.co.uk too, thanks for the tip

Hart44 thanks for the welcome


I've been thinking about what I'd like to make, and I was thinking about some curtains I got last year in a sale. They are red crinkly satiny fabric and are really lovely, would brighten up my living room no end. But they aren't long enough so I need to get some contrasting fabric to sew on the end to lengthen them. I was thinking gold fabric or something like that.
My question is, do I need curtain fabric, or could i use some other kind?

flossie217

Sunshine12 wrote: »

Im looking at this one http://www.sewingmachines.co.uk/Janome4623_info.htm and would be really keen to know if anyone has one and whether its a good machine for a beginner.

Hi Sunshine. I bought the Janome 5124 from that company last year. It looks very nearly the same as the one you have chosen. I'm a beginner too and I love my machine. The fabric feeds through easily and straight and it has sewn through multi layers of denim when I made bags from old jeans.
Before making my final decision I spoke to the lady at Sewing Machines Direct, telling her the kinds of things I was planning on using the machine for, and she helped in making my mind up. Going to a retailer and trying the machines before buying is best but we don't have one close so I really didn't have much choice. Sewing Machines Direct was recommended to me and my experience with them so far has been very positive. I would buy from them again.
Hope this helps and I'll be interested to know what you decide. Good luck with your class.