The Sewing Annexe

gibson123

Corrag

When practising with your sewing machine, go for upcycling rather than making new. I am currently upcycling some gents shorts into feminine swim shorts for my daughter, also going to take some baggy t-shirts and shape them, then add lace and/or collars to them to make them a bit more attractive. Also on my to do list is turning a too short dress into a top and skirt. I have lots of stuff pinned on pinterest, and if you PM me I will send you a link to my pin board. others on here also pin.

miffy257

Back from the quilt show with a load of fabric and sewing related stuff. Very inspired by some of the beautiful quilts on show. there are some very talented people out there. Now have to find a place to stash my hoard as DD is home tomorrow for a few days and she'll need her room back.:(
Happy Sewing all.:)
PS lots of the quilts on show were not absolutely perfect so don't despair if yours doesn't turn out perfect. They still looked fabulous.

jpscloud

Glad you had a good time miffy! I will keep an eye out for quilt shows/exhibitions/fairs near me. Although I can't afford fabrics! Do you buy 100% cotton? I have a few bits of fabric that are polycotton, 50/50 - part of me wants to be a purist but part of me is too thrifty to avoid using them with cotton!

miffy257

JPScloud I think you can use poly/cotton if you use it with other poly/cotton. It's just in case cotton shrinks at a different rate so if you wash your project it may become mis-shapen. I use cotton fabric.
Happy Sewing.:)

prudent_princess

corrag wrote: »

Congratulations Miffy

My partner just called me at work. The conversation went like this:

My partner: A big box has arrived for you.
Me: Whose it from
My partner: Toyota Sewing Machines
Me: YIPPPPEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEWWWWWWWOOOOHHHHHOOOOOOOO

Thats what I have got - A Toyota

mrbrightside842

Hi Ladies! I've recently completed a short course on using a sewing machine - just a beginners course - but I'm hooked! I want to buy a machine but don't want to spend a lot in case it doesn't get used as much as I imagine. I've spied this http://www.homebargains.co.uk/products/105-singer-promise-1408-sewing-machine.aspx in home bargains, but DH recons I should use that amount of money on a better second hand one. But I just don't know what to be looking for at all. So any help would be gratefully received!

newleaf

Singer used to be regarded as a good make, but I'm not sure what help or after sales service you would get from home bargains.
I heartily recommend Sewing Machines Direct for service and quality machines at great prices. They also give great gifts of scissors and threads with each purchase. The man in charge is called Russell and you can phone him or email any questions and he will respond very helpfully and quickly.
Just had a quick look and there is this one for just £10 more than you were considering, but comes with free next day delivery and the free gift I mentioned.
http://www.sewingmachines.co.uk/SMDProject_info.htm
But if you want to save up a bit more there are lots of good machines to choose from on their website and they are very helpful if you ring them to ask any questions. I bought both my sewing machine and overlocker from them, and I have been delighted with every aspect.

Georgiegirl2012

miffy257 wrote: »

Back from the quilt show with a load of fabric and sewing related stuff. Very inspired by some of the beautiful quilts on show. there are some very talented people out there. Now have to find a place to stash my hoard as DD is home tomorrow for a few days and she'll need her room back.:(
Happy Sewing all.:)
PS lots of the quilts on show were not absolutely perfect so don't despair if yours doesn't turn out perfect. They still looked fabulous.

I'm guessing you went to Malvern - good wasn't it? Oh, and BTW, I'm new to this thread, so helloooooo Been awol for a while and there is certainly no money saving going on here ATM, but a girl is allowed a lapse once a day surely?

miffy257

Welcome Georgiegirl, yes I did go to Malvern and spent far too much money but I regard it as an investment!!!!!!!! Now have to get on and make stuff. Happy Sewing all.:)

mrbrightside842

newleaf wrote: »

Singer used to be regarded as a good make, but I'm not sure what help or after sales service you would get from home bargains.
I heartily recommend Sewing Machines Direct for service and quality machines at great prices. They also give great gifts of scissors and threads with each purchase. The man in charge is called Russell and you can phone him or email any questions and he will respond very helpfully and quickly.
Just had a quick look and there is this one for just £10 more than you were considering, but comes with free next day delivery and the free gift I mentioned.
http://www.sewingmachines.co.uk/SMDProject_info.htm
But if you want to save up a bit more there are lots of good machines to choose from on their website and they are very helpful if you ring them to ask any questions. I bought both my sewing machine and overlocker from them, and I have been delighted with every aspect.

Thank you! I'm having a look at that site now. I've not heard of the SMD machine you've linked, is this good? I notice on the same site they have this and this which I'm looking at. One of them has the free gift, which is tempting as I wouldn't know what to buy to start me off, and I can see I can buy different feet for them if I do different tasks. I'm just looking at the specs now trying to see if either sounds better.