Craft Corner

WooHoo, a project was undertaken and completed.

I should feel more achieved than I do. I just realised my skills at minimising how 'good' I can be (am) at something are phenomenal. eg: I already had it cut out; should have sewn it up last year; there's a lot of not-the-best-finishes and a few mistakes in it; it really could have been better.

@CheerBear @Catcakes @Former-Member @Bunniekins this is the finished nightie I ended up making today.
It's a serviceable garment, made from a tried and true and easy to run up pattern out of less fabric than I wished I had. The length is finished, it's pooling on the floor because my model is shorter than me 'cos I haven't set her to my height yet. It's actually lavender coloured with pink trim, I used some old lace that needs using up and some mismatching heartshaped floral buttons I got in a bulk lot. I'll wash it tomorrow.

@CheerBear I hear you re the 'I'll pack this, and this, and this, oh, and I might want to do this ... " So totally me too! You never know quite how you might feel and different things suit different moods etc. Such is the life of a crafter.

I do hope you have an enjoyable day/night out.

Thank you for the nice things you said about my sewing, I can so easily minimise what I do because, y'know, perfectionist and all.

If, maybe one day, you're up for some sewing, I'd be most willing to assist with that. Not anytime soon though, the plates you're juggling are probably enough right now, but there's always new days.

Do you currently have a sewing machine of any sort? or one you can borrow even? Just thinking ahead. @Bunniekins had the inkling of an idea she might be interested in sewing one day too.

Okay, time to move onto other things for me too. I do hope there is some pleasantness in everyone's day.

Your nightie brought a smile to my face @Former-Member it is lovely. Very clever of you I think 😄

@Former-Member I have to hang my head in shame i have never used a sewing machine in my life and the only person i know who has one has got full blown dementia so I wouldnt want to both her. At shool we sewed by hand and I sucked at it lol ... killed sewing for me at the time but it is always something that i wanted to do.

Where would I buy a sewing machine from? I would want something that is transportable ....

There are, of course, lots and lots of choices. Spotlight, and Lincraft have some and there are dedicated sewing maching centres in most towns. I think it's a good idea to buy from a place you can get lessons from and where you can take it back to get it fixed if things go wrong. Not always a doable thing I know, for reasons.

I'll see what I can find to show you @Bunniekins have to go eat just now, but I'll be back. Oh, in my teaching sewing days, I taught the grownups who as school students learned to hate sewing. Such a pleasure seeing them blossom and come to understand sewing and love it by the end of a weekend or two with me. Sewing doesn't have to be hard.

@Former-Member Thanks SunShower 😄

Hey @Bunniekins just writing a list of good-to-have-features for sewing machines and finding some links to demonstrate. Wondering if you have a price range you're considering.

My suggestion is to go Mechanical rather than Computerised as it's easier to repair and all that's needed to stuff up a computerized machine is to have a strong radio signal (and it can be mobile too, so you're not always gonna know it's there) in the vicinity and it will blow the computer parts. (I know this from experience living next door to places like the SES, etc)

Mechanical sewing machines Here is a link to give you an idea of some of the choices available in Mechanical sewing machines. Mine is the last one in the group, although mine does not have the ribbon or any pink like that on it.

I downgraded from a ubeaut computerized Bernina cos I just got too tired of random computer fails. When my auto buttonhole gave up the ghost, that was it. This machine should last me for the rest of my life with some care.

You don't have to go new either, second hand work horses can be good, if you can trust the seller. If your dear friend doesn't have anyone else to pass her beloved sewing machine/s on to, perhaps there may be a way to discover if she has a suitable one that you could purchase from her?

Just a suggestion, there may be other things involved that make it impossible etc and I understand that. Having something new to you also means you might not be so afraid of breaking it that you might be of something that would have such sentimental value too.

I'll stop rambling .....