handmade gifts for christmas and celebrations 2011

donquine

nellis10 wrote: »

Which sewing machine did you get donquine??

Just a little starter one. It only has about half a dozen different stitches and can't handle thick fabric, but I thought I should try and master something simple before asking for/buying myself a heavy duty machine...

It took me half an hour to thread the machine - I'd never used a sewing machine before and I found the whole thing a bit of an ordeal, tbh. Now that there's thread in the thing, I guess it's just trial and error with the tension dial until I can get nice straight lines on both sides. I haven't finished playing because I've discovered I need a higher table to be able to use the foot pedal comfortably. Will have a think about that. :rotfl:

Someone please tell me it gets easier?

Ultimate goal is to get organised and have a box to hand full of cards and gifts for all occasions and recipients. I do not by any means expect to achieve this in 2011... but it's something to aim for.

ChocolateIsLife

Cuddles - I really like your needle and scissor cases what fabulous ideas.

cuddles123

Thanks Chocolate - dead easy to make.

nellis10

donquine wrote: »

Just a little starter one. It only has about half a dozen different stitches and can't handle thick fabric, but I thought I should try and master something simple before asking for/buying myself a heavy duty machine...

It took me half an hour to thread the machine - I'd never used a sewing machine before and I found the whole thing a bit of an ordeal, tbh. Now that there's thread in the thing, I guess it's just trial and error with the tension dial until I can get nice straight lines on both sides. I haven't finished playing because I've discovered I need a higher table to be able to use the foot pedal comfortably. Will have a think about that. :rotfl:

Someone please tell me it gets easier?

Ultimate goal is to get organised and have a box to hand full of cards and gifts for all occasions and recipients. I do not by any means expect to achieve this in 2011... but it's something to aim for.

I've just plunged and bought myself a little Coopers Ruby Red 27 for £89 including £9 delivery to Northern Ireland!!!

Now I'll have NO excuse not to hand make Xmas pressies for 2011....but boy will I need help!! :rotfl:

LolaLemon

Laura_D wrote: »

PinkLipgloss I gave crocheting a whirl and ended up in tears I think my hands are back to front and upside down or something. Maybe I'd be better off giving it a whirl after a couple of glasses of vino I really want to be able to do it as the results are beautiful - so any handy beginners tips would be very welcome.

donquine wrote: »

Er... snap.

Santa did however bring me a sewing machine and I am determined to learn how to use it properly. I'd love to be able to sew a bag by December 2011, but I'm still trying to adjust the tension, so I think I have a long way to go!

best advice i can give on learning to crochet is:

learn from this woman!

http://www.youtube.com/user/tjw1963?blend=2&ob=4#p/c/59FA9DF4C757945B
I am 'self learned' and only started in the late summer of 2009, its is american stitch names, but are easy to convert over to uk ....
Im going to try out the left handed videos soon as im getting athritis in my right wrist
(eases up when i stop using the p,c,)

Ddraig

Youngoldlady Thankyou very much.Dont think we have met but Im all for the old saying "strangers are friends we havent met yet "x


About crochet stitches ,dont suppose any of you ladies remember the post that showed the stitch ,um brromstitch I think its called.Looked great and looked like it could be adapted to use with think jewellery wire to crochet a cuff bracelet.

Ddraig

aarrggh my post ty MSE.Cut off the forum as I posted!!!!

Do any of you kind ladies know of a crochet/knitting stitch named something similar to broomstitch? Done with different size needles and a crochet hook.I think it could be adapted to use with jewellery wire to crochet a cuff bracelet.Tia
Someone was learning it on craft thread for 2010 I think.xx

Youngoldlady nice to meet you too hun xx

donquine

nellis10 wrote: »

I've just plunged and bought myself a little Coopers Ruby Red 27 for £89 including £9 delivery to Northern Ireland!!!

Now I'll have NO excuse not to hand make Xmas pressies for 2011....but boy will I need help!! :rotfl:

I figure we have 11 months to get it right. Even allowing for life getting in the way, it's not an unrealistic target, is it?

At the very least, I'm hoping to machine sew some little stockings for candies!

Ddraig

donquine wrote: »

I figure we have 11 months to get it right. Even allowing for life getting in the way, it's not an unrealistic target, is it?

At the very least, I'm hoping to machine sew some little stockings for candies!

Donquine Im sorry but did no one tell you.Being an MSE'r.You just signed up to a year of no life.Hard work,being tight and saving lots of cash.XXXLOL.Mucho love and enjoy your new hobby hun xx

Kazsaver

Hi every one

I am hoping to make all my Christmas cards by end of January leaving the year free for all other cards.

I also want to do two cross stitches for granddaughter and niece. Im thinking of doing a scrapbook for my parents for Christmas and that is as far as I've got. I just need to get on and do them I have planned to prepare all the card for the cards as I need them to fit the envelopes that I have spare . These should not cost me any extra as I have a huge stash of card and scrap-booking goodies.

Cuddles your craft cases are great I may do something similar for my self to organise my needles etc. if you don't mind.

You all sound very organised I am hoping this will encourage me to do the same this Christmas was a nightmare with the snow, colds and lack of money etc

Have a good day everyone

Kaz x