I have lost count of the number of times I've planned to write a post over the last couple of weeks - the longer it's gone on the harder it is to get started.
What can I tell you? I'm pants - I mean proper pants, not the kind of underwear your mother thought it was acceptable for you to get run over in (I never did understand that argument to be honest - and I've been run over in real life). No, I mean sensible, keeping everything warm, no VPL, proper big pants.
I would like to assure you I'll do better in the future - but I wouldn't hold your breath! Life is tricksy. And my beloved non-working days are not happening - sadly the organisation I work for is in a real place of uncertainty and it's all hands on deck. What will be will be I guess.
Anyway, shall I actually tell you something sewing related? Yep, OK then ...
One of the reasons I haven't had time to blog is because I have a new machine, I am in love. Want to see her? ...
Ta, dah!
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| So I bought a Janome in the end - the TXL 607 |
I know I'm really lucky to have it. And she's a joy to work on, I put the buttonholes on my new skirt in minutes - bliss. P says it's much quieter - partly the machine itself but mostly because it actually works and I've stopped swearing!
I've been trying all the stitches and having a good old play. I haven't made much yet but I'm familiarising myself with her. Oh, and thanks to Sue I've a bit more confidence with my overlocker too and I've been using that lots - mostly doing exciting stuff like cutting and neatening the bottom of P's golf trousers before I hem them properly - small steps!
I have even done some actual sewing - and I will blog about it properly (I promise, I promise) but I will just show you this one bag ... a commission from my nephew and niece (aged 6 and 2) for my sister-in-law's birthday today.
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| F is very into bird watching. He bought his Daddy (my brother) a bird feeder for his birthday in April because apparently 'he really wants one' - seriously! This fabric (from my stash - result!) was perfect. |
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| My new machine does a little bit of writing - this is the exact wording F asked for. And the heart shaped button is because they love their Mammy. |
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| A zipped pocket was essential because Mammy's carry important stuff. |
I'll be back!
x
Update - Complete fail on my part, the tutorial I based the bag on is this brilliant one from Very Purple Person - terribly remiss of me not to mention it straight away.
Very exciting about your new machine! "Use it in good health" as they say in Turkish!
ReplyDeleteOh what a wonderful expression :)
Deletegood to see you are back :-)
ReplyDeleteThank you - I have just about managed to keep up with my blog reading - I'm loving your cowls :)
DeleteOoh, how exciting that you got your new machine. It looks fab!
ReplyDeleteBless your nephew and niece requesting a special present for their mum (or mammy)!
I am very excited!
DeleteThey are sweet - F has history of asking me to make stuff - my all time favourite was the outfit for his super hero teddy bear (including boots and eye mask)! It was a great hit and resulted in orders from all of his school friends - orders I did not fill I hasten to add!
Apparently he's very pleased with the bag and has given it to M 4 times, basically if she puts it down he presents it to her again! He's got a very good grasp of the idea of commissioning a service from somebody! :)
what a lovely present and your niece and nephew sound lovely! That's very exciting to have a new sewing machine! I've been reading quite a lot of posts recently of people getting their machine serviced once a year and it's made me think I need to do that - pay my sewing machine a little more respect for all the hard work it does!
ReplyDeleteHi - I think it's very easy to forget to service a machine, yet you wouldn't do that with your car or boiler! Sadly my old one wasn't much improved by a service - however, I had nearly 10 years of use and I'm hanging on to it. You definitely need to look after yours - it's a special machine :)
DeleteYay for new machine! It's all kinds of rad!!!
ReplyDelete7 types of buttonholes - honestly, I didn't know there were that many!
DeleteHi Jacq- we all have times away sometimes when Life Demands Other Things. I'm going through a spell of that as well at the moment.
ReplyDeleteI'm thrilled you have your new machine and can at least start dreaming again...
And the bag is gorgeous :)
Sarah Liz you are one of the most productive people I know - I don't make as much as you when life isn't busy! You produce more muslins than I have wearable garments. I take my hat off to you - and I have several I could use having just attended a wedding and the High Sheriff's garden party I even have a choice of hats to take off!
DeleteAwww! What a fabulous bag! That's too sweet. Congrats on your new machine, it looks a beaut. Zoe x
ReplyDeleteThank you Zoe - I have high hopes. It's much easier to sew if you don't have to keep your fingers crossed that the machine will work :)
DeleteI have the same sewing machine and I love it! So much quieter than my Mum's old one which I was using, and less stressful too!
ReplyDeleteOh that's really good news, I have seen lots of good reviews :)
DeleteHello, nice to see you back and it is such a lovely new machine. The bag is great, the message is very cute.
ReplyDelete