The Sewing Room

Kandipandi

karmacookie wrote: »

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.

My boys have made pencil cases. They dont have to have zips but my son managed to put a zip in his. He got some Rock band pictures off the web and printed them on iron on cotton and made his pencil case out of that, his mates were well impressed!
You could do simple fold over pencil cases and sew a popper or button on.

in-the-beach-hut

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!
.....
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.

Karmacookie - How about this CD holder?



There's a nice clear tutorial over on Puking Pastilles - I've not had a go at making one yet but it's on my list of to-do's, and is a good way of using a good selection of fabrics. It could have fewer pockets to make it a bit easier on first attempt?

PS How about a pic of your bag?

karmacookie

Thanks for the links everyone :A
The idea of a pencil case is a good one, will give that a try and it will not take much fabric

Loving the CD holder :T

Not sure about pictures, there is a digital camera around here somewhere, perhaps I should join the OS fly lady thread then I might have a chance of finding it. I'm not a great fan of houswork, it takes up too much time that can be used for more fun things

Since lurking here and on the crafting for Christmas thread I've bookmarked so many pages that I'm going t have to sort it out otherwise my bookmark menu will become just like my house, impossible to find anything :rotfl:

babyboysmommy

Does this look like a good machine for a beginner?
http://www.argos.co.uk/static/Product/partNumber/4602222/Trail/searchtext%3ESEWING+MACHINE.htm
Many thanks

karmacookie

babyboysmommy wrote: »

Does this look like a good machine for a beginner?
http://www.argos.co.uk/static/Product/partNumber/4602222/Trail/searchtext%3ESEWING+MACHINE.htm
Many thanks

I'm no expert. only got a cheapie Lidl machine, but my mum always had singer sewing machines, each lasted her over 30 years! It's got a couple of good reviews!

flossie217

babyboysmommy wrote: »

Does this look like a good machine for a beginner?
http://www.argos.co.uk/static/Product/partNumber/4602222/Trail/searchtext%3ESEWING+MACHINE.htm
Many thanks

Google 'singer 2250 reviews' and you will find a few websites with opinions from people who have bought the 2250. Most seem to have had a problem with thread tension. Take into account that this model is a lightweight portable model. You won't know until you use it but it might be more likely to hop about a bit.
If you can go to a sewing machine retailer and have a chat and look at the machines. You could get lucky and pick up a reconditioned model for a bargain price and with a retailer you get a good back up service. You can't beat getting your hands on a machine before you part with your money.
Have you looked on your local freecycle? If you ask someone might offer you a gem of a machine. Or try 'sewing machine servicing' on your local Yell.com. They might have reconditioned machines on offer.
Look at this site http://www.sewingmachines.co.uk/index.htm and get an idea what features you want on your machine. I bought mine from here as we don't have a shop locally. The lady there spent some time over the phone going through the differences of a couple of machines with me and I have been happy with the back up service.
If you can wait a little longer to save a few more pennies then you will probably find it worthwhile but you know your circumstances and it is a decision only you can make.
Whatever you get I hope you have hours of fun with your new machine.

smileylu

Hi there! I am new to sewing and I am on a real tight budget. I am finding it difficult to get hold of some cheap cotton material to practice making things. I have looked on eBay, looked in department store but all really expensive. Any ideas anyone?
:j

karmacookie

smileylu wrote: »

Hi there! I am new to sewing and I am on a real tight budget. I am finding it difficult to get hold of some cheap cotton material to practice making things. I have looked on eBay, looked in department store but all really expensive. Any ideas anyone?
:j

We've been cutting up old clothes
I know what you mean about expense. I bought a fat 1/4 today in a craft shop it was £2 and it's not very big.
I have a curtain material shop quite near by. I managed to pick up 2 huge remnants for £1 each!

CandyB101_2

smileylu wrote: »

Hi there! I am new to sewing and I am on a real tight budget. I am finding it difficult to get hold of some cheap cotton material to practice making things. I have looked on eBay, looked in department store but all really expensive. Any ideas anyone?
:j

I suggest checking out your local charity shops.

Last weekend I managed to get a double cerise pink flat sheet for £1, and a blue cotten shirt for 74p .... now washed and ready to cut up to make some crayon rolls.
I plan on using the buttons from the shirt for the centre of some felt flowers.

I am now addicted to charity shops, I can no longer just walk past without checking out what tops/trousers etc they have ... in order to cut up. The one shop even has a 'sale rail' ... even cheaper !!

I also picked up some cute pattern pyjama's in Primark, reduced from £4 to £2.

Sunshine12

Hi,
Can someone tell me what a fat 1/4 is?