The Sewing Room

rosepink1984

Hi everyone, I've decided what my first project will be - last year in the Jan sales i got some red curtains but they weren't quite long enough. I've not had any money to do anything about it since then, but have just managed to get some gold curtains from Ebay for a few quid, so am going to cut them into strips and add them onto the bottom of the red curtains. Should look nice hopefully! We are going away next week so I'm going to take them with me as there is more space there and i might be able to ask my Nan for advice as she's a good sewer.

I'm also going to sew sequins to a skirt i got from ebay, to make it a bit more special, along the hemline. It's a nice long navy skirt with navy lace along the bottom edge, and I'm going to sew black and silver sequins just above the lacey bit.

I'm going to knit some black flowers and sew them to a black skirt to decorate it. I've had the skirt for ages and I'm a bit bored with it, and I saw a lady wearing a skirt with flowers all in a row around the bottom of the skirt and it looked really nice, so I thought i would try that!

That should keep me busy for a while, don't you think? I hope you enjoy your projects, I will come back and update you all and show you pictures

PepPop

Hope you all get on ok with the denim bag instructions, I've still not finished mine had a bit of a nightmare weekend so hopefully I'll get more of it done tonight.

karmacookie

I managed to finish 1 morse bag at the weekend. It's not perfect but I'm quite proud of it, I even made an outside pocket and a rose corsage for it, it's rather posh!

Apart from that I've not managed to get near the machine because of my 15yr old DS who has Aspergers. He reckons that the sewing machine could take over from his laptop addiction :eek: He has really impressed me with how quick he worked out how to thread it and even fill the bobbin and put that in properly. His sewing skills, like mine, need some work though.

Anyway, he would like to make a messenger bag. any idea where I can find an easy pattern/tutorial. We don't do zips yet

also if anyone has any other ideas for simple projects for a teenage boy I'd appreciate the links. Most of what I can find is more geared towards girls.

almond

stardrops42 wrote: »

and I'm in Stockton:D but my son goes to college in Billingham, small world!

hi
i am in yarm

nuttywoman

karmacookie wrote: »

I managed to finish 1 morse bag at the weekend. It's not perfect but I'm quite proud of it, I even made an outside pocket and a rose corsage for it, it's rather posh!

Apart from that I've not managed to get near the machine because of my 15yr old DS who has Aspergers. He reckons that the sewing machine could take over from his laptop addiction :eek: He has really impressed me with how quick he worked out how to thread it and even fill the bobbin and put that in properly. His sewing skills, like mine, need some work though.

Anyway, he would like to make a messenger bag. any idea where I can find an easy pattern/tutorial. We don't do zips yet

also if anyone has any other ideas for simple projects for a teenage boy I'd appreciate the links. Most of what I can find is more geared towards girls.

Hi, i think the Burda website has a free pattern on it for a messenger bag
Hope its still there for you :T

karmacookie

Hi nuttywoman

I couldn't find the free pattern but I did find one that looks perfect. It says very easy! It was a good price and postage was reasonable so I just got it. I hope it's comes before Friday, DS finishes school on thurs for more than a week :eek: so if we can fabric shop on Friday we should have plenty time to get it made and it will keep him out of trouble on his hols :T

gemsmember

http://henriettashandbags.com/Craft_Ideas.html This site has lots of free bag patterns - all different kinds

http://thinkliz.com/free-sewing-patterns/#bags - lots more on here

http://www.allpeoplequilt.com/projects-ideas/bags-pillows/free-bag-patterns_ss1.html -messenger bag

babyboysmommy

Hello I hope you don't mind me popping in to ask a question? I'd really love to get a sewing machine. What's the best I can get for under £100? Or should I spend more? I've no idea yet just how much I'd use it. It would be for basic things around the home, fancy dress costumes, maybe things like bags, doll making.

Many thanks from a lurker who loves reading about & seeing your projects

gemsmember

It is difficult to recommend one make of machine over another unless someone has personal experience of using it. You can get Brother machines in places like Dunelm mills for around the £100 mark, but then you can also get good machines from Aldi or Lidl for about £50.

You need to ask what you will want to do with your machine - are you going to want to stitch heavy weight fabric. Do you want buttonholes - etc.

For a starter machine I would definately go for one that has at least a basic zigzag stitch as well as a straight stitch.

You could also look out for a 2nd hand one. If you buy from a dealer they will often have a very good machine that they have reconditioned and this would be more affordable for you.

For £100 you can definately get a good machine, I would visit a dealer and see what they can offer, but don't purchase the first one you see.

Hopefully someone on here will be able to give some more specific advice regarding makes of machine etc. I started with a Frister and Rossman machine which I had for lots of years (more than I care to admit) and then went on to a Brother embroidery machine and I also have an Elna sewing machine which is a workhorse and can cope with anything.

Kandipandi

babyboysmommy wrote: »

Hello I hope you don't mind me popping in to ask a question? I'd really love to get a sewing machine. What's the best I can get for under £100? Or should I spend more? I've no idea yet just how much I'd use it. It would be for basic things around the home, fancy dress costumes, maybe things like bags, doll making.

Many thanks from a lurker who loves reading about & seeing your projects

Hi, I was recommeded this one which I bought myself for christmas. Its perfect for me, I do curtains, cushions, bags, alter clothes etc, its very easy to use and quite lightweight. I have had it since christmas and I use it all the time and its fantastic!!

http://www.argos.co.uk/static/Product/partNumber/4600176/c_1/1|category_root|Kitchen+and+laundry|14418476/c_2/3|cat_15701316|Sewing+machines+and+accessories|14418697.htm

And it's under £80, I must say I also bought a carry bag to keep it in and I find that invaluable, I keep all my bobbins and the machine pedal and its bits and bobs all together in there.

http://www.argos.co.uk/static/Product/partNumber/0970288/c_1/1|category_root|Kitchen+and+laundry|14418476/c_2/3|cat_15701316|Sewing+machines+and+accessories|14418697.htm - its on offer now - I paid full price for it

edit: forgot to mention it does all the basic stuff I need,

• 14 automatic stitches.
• 4 step buttonhole.
• Zipper insertion.
• Twin needle sewing.
• Clip on presser feet.
• Front loading bobbin.
• Automatic bobbin winding.
• Manual tension setting.
• Includes zig zag foot, buttonhole foot, zipper insertion foot, button sewing foot, screwdriver, 3 x bobbins, needle set, twin needle, darning plate (for free motion sewing).
• Size (H)29, (W)39, (D)17cm.
• Weight 6.12kg.
• Manufacturer's 2 year guarantee.

Well impressed.