Simple ideas please for using my sewing machine

Snowy_Owl

:T Yay!!!! I've done it"!!!! :T

I've finally got something made on my sewing machine!!! :j

I've inherited my mums old Singer 427 machine. It's been serviced and I found the instruction (publication date is 1969 - bitty older then me & Hubby!!). I got a flat sheet out the charity shop - cut a bit off and was playing around and practising with it this morning.

PLUS! My dad was asking earlier on in the week - can I make him a bag for when he's fishing to keep his caught fish in. He had an old towel and would just need sewing along two sides. Don't laugh but that is a bit daunting if you've never used a sewing machine before!!!! And I did it!!!!!! :beer: He came round to pick it up this afternoon and hopes to christen it tomorrow when fishing with my brother.

Does anyone have any ideas for other simple wee projects??

Thank you

Snowy

mandragora_2

My mum's sewing machine got most use as a clothes horse to draped ironed laundry over while it was airing......

Fruball

Well done!

I started off making simple envelope fold cushion covers - lots of instructions online (I'm not good at explaining them or I would write it here!)

I soon moved on to small window blinds and then larger ones.

I am no expert on the SM but enjoy making things and have sold some of the small cushions I have made

gibson123

well done getting started. A good way to get a feel for things is by adjusting clothes the outside in way. have a search through your wardrobe for baggy jeans and washed out t-shirts. put them on inside out and get a friend to pin them to your shape. Then sew up alongside the pins and then cut of surplus and finish the seams. You will have a great collection of skinny jeans and fitted t-shirts. Aprons are really easy and can be made out of sheeting or even old shirts. Just do a google search and you will find loads of stuff. Also sign up for pinterest and search for sewing, lots of free tutorials for things like tote bags which are easy to make. Good luck.

ScarlettOHara_2

I inherited a sewing machine made in 1960 and love it. Its better than the new machine I bought. I heartily recommend a beginners sewing class. I took one in my local area and am now making my own clothes after only a few weeks.

The first thing I made was a pin cushion - you could also make shopping bags, peg bags, a bow belt http://www.tillyandthebuttons.com/2010/06/bow-belt-tutorial.html

Good luck

learningtosew

Hi, I'm thinking of buying a sewing machine, my local Lidl are advertising one at £50, Silver Crest, or my local gumtree has a Janome 2139N, owner is looking £70. any thoughts?

miffy257

Hi there learning to sew my friend has the Li*l machine and is very pleased with it. Janome are an excellent make , look up that model on the internet and see if it is a bargain. Good luck.

Chaos_Monkey

Hi there, I'm also in the early stages of learning to sew and spend ages online looking at tutorials.

Here is one I've found - it looks easy enough, but I've not tried it yet as it's winter here and I simply wouldn't wear it yet (and when I make something, I want to use/wear it straight away!).

http://sewing.craftgossip.com/tutorial-twirly-summer-dress-with-cap-sleeves-and-a-circle-skirt/2012/06/14/

Also, check out this blog, she has some easy looking tutorials:
http://www.makeit-loveit.com/tutorials

I'm currently making a bag (got the bag bit done, just need to do the handles) for my big (24"x14") cutting mat and quilting ruler as they're a pain to carry on their own, and I've had 2 non sew-ers ask if I'll make them something similar. They haven't seen the quality yet, though :rotfl:

Sock Monkeys are a nice easy starter project too, there's a whole thread dedicated to making them on here somewhere, but here's a tutorial:

http://www.craftbits.com/project/sock-monkey

Have fun!!

Chaos

mavisangelica

Curtains and quilt covers.

Curtains are dead easy (especially if you have a factory fabric shop nearby). Basically 2 rectangles of material each the width of the window and whatever length you want. Hem the two sides. Sew on the curtain tape (flat) at the top (after turning over the curtain material at the top.). I hand sewed the bottom hem but you could just sew across the bottom with the machine depending on what finish you want. Then gather the top with the strings of the tape and voila.
I made my own lining using curtain lining material (exactly the same way as above but used curtain lining tape at the top) and then attached them using the curly curtain hooks that then attach onto the bottom of the main curtain hooks.

alyssajones37

I found dog toys the best thing to make, even made my two rescues a play* mat with lots of pockets for food and toys so they could have something to explore.

They love everything I've made and aren't bothered by the multi-coloured thread and fact I made some/many errors in the execution of the finished product.

* also known as a keep your muddy paws off my carpet.