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Wednesday 10 July 2013

An 'all manner of stuff' catch up!

Hello people, are there any of you still there?

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!


So I bought a Janome in the end - the TXL 607
I tried several machines - I'm so lucky to have a local sewing machine shop, Maidstone Sewing Centre.  One of the demonstrators, Sue, spent 2 separate mornings with me, letting me try different machines and showing me all the features.  I could have got a cheaper machine but this one has everything on my wishlist (including quilting extension table and all the extra quilting feet) so it's perfect for me. 

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.

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.

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.

A zipped pocket was essential because Mammy's carry
important stuff.
I can't tell you how chuffed I am to have been able to make a special present for F & A to give to their Mammy.  I love being an Auntie :)

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.

17 comments:

  1. Very exciting about your new machine! "Use it in good health" as they say in Turkish!

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  2. good to see you are back :-)

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    1. Thank you - I have just about managed to keep up with my blog reading - I'm loving your cowls :)

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  3. Ooh, how exciting that you got your new machine. It looks fab!

    Bless your nephew and niece requesting a special present for their mum (or mammy)!

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    1. I am very excited!
      They 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! :)

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  4. 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!

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    1. Hi - 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 :)

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  5. Yay for new machine! It's all kinds of rad!!!

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    1. 7 types of buttonholes - honestly, I didn't know there were that many!

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  6. Hi 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.

    I'm thrilled you have your new machine and can at least start dreaming again...

    And the bag is gorgeous :)

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    1. 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!

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  7. Awww! What a fabulous bag! That's too sweet. Congrats on your new machine, it looks a beaut. Zoe x

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    1. Thank 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 :)

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  8. I 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!

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    1. Oh that's really good news, I have seen lots of good reviews :)

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  9. Hello, nice to see you back and it is such a lovely new machine. The bag is great, the message is very cute.

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Thank you so much for taking the time to comment :)