Hobbies/Crafts and MoneySaving ...

moggins

Queenie, thank you so much!! I didn't even realise websites like that existed. As soon as I have despatched two screaming munchkins off to bed I will be straight over there to have a look.

This is really giving me some hope that I will eventually be able to use a machine

debbym

moggins wrote:

Was it really that simple? Which way do you thread it then?

There was a second hand machine in Cash Converters today, if I could only find someone to teach me how to use it!

yep it was that simple! I lugged the thing (big heavy cast iron East German model) round to a sewing machine repair shop for a quote quite convinced that it was busted and the bloke looked at me and said "You've never been taught how to do this have you?"

If the websites don't work and you can't get a college course near you then try phoning your local secondary school for advise - textiles is part of the Design and Tech syllabus and they might be able to put you in touch with someone even if they don't do evening courses.

Oh the other thing to make sure is that the needle is in the machine the right way round - have done this one too when in a rush . It is shaped like a "D" at the top - if you look at the hole it has to go into you can see which way round it goes.

starlorna22

Hi,
I'm newish on here, so hope I'm putting this in the right place. I've been lurking on this site for ages, but only put on my first post yesterday!
I wanted to ask what kind of hobbies you all have that don't cost loads of money. . . At the moment my boyfriend and I are startin to play golf (which is actually quite expensive) we've bought clubs and balls from car boot sales and have been going to the driving range, which at about £3 for 2 hours each is pretty cheap I think. When we can play a bit better we're going to go to the council golf courses as they're a lor cheaper.
I wondered what kind of things everyone else does for fun. I'd like to learn to play the guitar, and how to use a sewing machine, but I'm very impatient and like to be able to do things straight away, so am not sure if I'd have the patience.
Any ideas would be appreciated because at the moment with just having moved into our new house, all our time seems to be divided between work and household jobs/decorating and we don't really seem to be able to have any time to ourselves to relax.
Thanks

squeaky

My hobby is pottering about in my garden. It's really nice watching things grow and helping them along, and although there can be some hard work such a digging, there are lots of quietly restful things to do... but then, if you're really impatient... painting flowers on your fence is a lot quicker

moggins

Cooking is my hobby, I love it, it gets me away from the kids (you can't swing a cat in my kitchen) and you can eat the results. Apart from that I just read a lot

Allexie

Hello starlorna22 and welcome to a fellow West Yorkshire person....

My fave cheapo hobby is hillwalking...all you need are stout shoes/boots, waterproof jacket, rucsack and a Metro Day Ticket for the bus, (oh, and a friend to go with is good!). Loads of great walks in easy reach for us...Yorkshire Dales, Calderdale - Peak District and even The Lakes if you want to go a bit further. Take your own food and drink and enjoy on the top of a hill miles away from everything and everyone....brilliant!

(Saturday's Evening Post has a 'Wilkinson's Walk' every week with route and map etc.)

ManAtHome

I'd go with the suggestions so far - much more fun if you regard them as hobbies rather than something you have to do.

Additionally, try basic DIY - you can get books from the library and a small set of basic tools isn't expensive.

Also, computing is rapidly becoming 'old style' - you can improve your WP, spreadsheeting etc (useful for budgetting) and pick up all sorts of info on the internet.

Guitar - you'll have probably the most frustrating few months of your life until it clicks. Worth it, as it's there for life (as seen on TV...).

Photography - getting cheaper all the time and ties in well with the walking.

BWZN93

I currently have loads of hobbies, all I picked up quickly and didnt cost that much especially as I was on a Student Budget when I started them!My boyf is a Guitarist, and It does take a long time to pick it up unless you are a natural, he has been doing it for 8 years, is in a band, and is really talented. Id personally love to try it, but I know It would take forever and that would frustrate me (boyf is also left handed, so Id have to buy my own guitar too, as he has 5 left handers). My brother started to learn about a year ago, and is picking it up nicely, but doesnt think he will ever be amazing at it, he just pretends to be Slash out of Guns n Roses and doesnt care if he gets the wrong notes etc!

I love photography, and have a canon SLR (film) and really enjoy it, especially as the scenery round here is amazing, and there would be some photgraphy clubs near you who can help you get the hang of it, as well as use darkrooms etc.

We have a little cafe near us that teaches various hobbies over coffee and cake, Ive been going to knitting and crocheting for about 6months, but managed to pick it up really quickly, and produced my first perfect scarf within a month. Its also a good way to occupy myself in front of the TV. Ive picked up the basics of Quilting on here, which I also find good fun, time consuming, but Im hand sewing so its only cost me a few pounds in various fabrics (found some online places that send free samples too which is useful!) and needles and thread. Ill have to buy the wadding though too, but im looking forward to having a completed double throw for winter.

I also like home baking, cakes, biscuits etc, and have recently mastered the art of home made pizza bases and bread, which taste so much better and are healthier than shop bought, it should be mandatory to teach this stuff in schools!

I dont know if youv'e heard of vision 2 learn either (www.vision2learn.co.uk), they have free courses you can do online part time and get certificates at the end, and there is also a money management course, which I wanted to do, but didnt have a tutor or something in my area so im doing the advanced computer skills one, always useful!! Also, if you are registered with greasypalm, sign up through the link on that site and you get a cool £3.50 in your pot too, so they are paying you to do it!!

Local colleges usually do other evening classes that might be of interest, hows about interior design, or flower arranging?? Also, check out cafe's locally to you, especially those non-chain ones, as they usually have some activities you can join in on.

Hope this helps!

Jo xx

Ticklemouse

Thanks for that link Jo, I shall certainly be investimigating it later

Hobbies - well, In my student days, it centred around the bar and the rugby club (for drinking purposes only) but I was always a bit of a lightweight TBH.

In my 20's I was super-fit - lots of cycling, aerobics and circuit training.

In my late 20's/early 30's I mainly became middle-aged, due to living with an older man who was a bit of a Charlie Stubbs (Corrie) and he got inside my head without me knowing it. All of a sudden I spent all my time cooking, cleaning, spending my money on him to make HIS house nice, looking after his kids, working full time and following HIS idea of where my career should go. Oh, and I didn't get any enjoyment out of the housewifey bit, just became an old drudge.

Mid 30's - broke free (YIPPEE), married Mr TM, and became young again. However, did OS things like knit and cross-stitch, gardening and went camping in my time off. Oh, also discovered a liking for red wine This was all pre-kids.

Nowadays - hobbies - have I time and do I count what I do as a hobby? I'm getting really old style and now love to cook and bake. I do all the DIY (strength and technical expertise permitting) although this is still at the have to do it rather than love to do it stage. I am aiming to start sewing again soon, mum is going to teach me how to make curtains soon, as it's 25 yrs since I sewed properly. I like reading if I get time.

Best thing of all - playing with my kids - what's cheaper, better for you and more fun than that?

ancasta_2

In my spare time i make new wigs and hair extensions and little things for hair and stuff. im always pottering about doing something.. can change from day to day