I broke down and bought a new sewing machine yesterday. Will ya'll please aggrevate me OFTEN about using it? I finally replaced my very ancient Singer (sob) but it was older than all of us and replacing belts was almost impossible. So here are some pins, don't worry about asking permission....POKE ME with 'em. Make me embarrassed, make me ashamed, please girlfriends, compel me into using that investment. "yoohoo, Unique, you finish that project yet?...." hint, hint, poke...

Scram!
Go make me something.
chickadee

What's your current project, or do you have lots of them?

Thanks Chickadee, that's just right. Yes, Dotsie, I have two small quilts going for my brother's (& SIL's) new baby. And a plastic bag recycler for my sister, and a throw for my son....I'm not sure if I'm Overwhelmed or Underwhelmed....maybe I'm just Whelmed. I'm going now...1 hour....no foolin'

Good for you Unique. Keep going at it maybe break it into smaller steps will help. Think about one fourth of it at a time.
Great to think in terms of one hour.
Maggie

Thanks! One project down; only three to go! And then starts Round Two! Is the getting ready to sew the longest part for you seamstresses? The other day I had the project all nice and neat and pinned; I'm checking out the thread, making sure I have the best color, and DUH! I had pinned the darn thing INSIDE OUT!! I had to take it all apart and redo it. Sheesh. I felt like such a (fill-in-the-blank). Does this ever happen to any body but me? (Please say yes, so I don't feel any more DUH than I already do!)

Unique, ...no it hasn't happened to me.

I'd a just sewn it up like it was. (great English huh?)

I can't thread a needle let alone sew! I'd probably get 'bobbin sick if I ran a sewing machine.

My sister sewed her fingers together when we were younger. That was enough to turn me off!

Of course I was the one working the foot peddle! Oh my...I was bad!

chickadee

The longest part for me is taking the machine out of my closet and cleaning a space on my desk.

I took the machine out in November, first time in maybe 3 years, and totally couldn't find the bobbin holder. Since this machine is maybe from 1980 or older, I have to special order the bobbin case.

After a day or two, I put the machine back in the closet. I plan to order the part ... someday ...

meredith, I'm with you. I'd love to sew, but I don't have a spot to leave the machine up all the time. That's my excuse and I'm sticking to it.

My sister-in-law has a machine with all the latest whistles and bells. I'm one of the lucky recipients of her craft projects.

I didn't learn how to sew until I was 35. My sister-in-law sold me my ancient Singer. My first projects were curtains and a baby blanket for my son. I still wouldn't say *I know how to sew* but I can usually manage a straight seam Notice I say, usually. I have a place to keep the machine up all the time now, so that helps a lot. I miss my old, slow, only goes forward Singer; but this new one is pretty cool, too. I like it because it's easy to figure out. (That's why I liked the old one-no fancy, schmancy) My mechanical Know-how and Do-how are not =.

Hey Meredith. you can borrow my bobbin holder/case. I probably won't be needing for say..a couple a years. When your finished, just send it back

thanks chickadee! I should get at least one seam done in that time!

Ilearned to sew when I was akid. A lady I babysat for taught a friend and I while her children napped. You don't find many women like her.

I also took it in high school. I know how to sew, but don't have the patience at this time in my life.

I could be tempted if I had a craft room where I could keep everything out, but I don't see that happenng any time soon.

I got my first sewing machine when I was 10 yrs old. No kidding. I have always enjoyed sewing, crafts, knitting, crocheting etc..
I'm a susie homemaker from way back...haha. I don't meet many people who still enjoy those domestic things... so its nice to hear that people are still sewing. I got a new Bernina ( the bottom of their line) a few years ago. I love it! I have 3 sisters and 2 daughters and none of them sew or cook much or do crafts. TOO FUNNY>>>

I do not sew as often as i used to. I went to a garage sale in town last summer got a old zigzag machine, it had all its original parts and attachments. Mentioned to my daughter if she would like my fifteen year old machine or this very old zigzag I had picked up. Did i mention I only paid twenty dollars for it. Anyway my daughter wanted the zigzag and she has been having great fun with various sewing projects. It was the best twenty dollars are ever spent.chichii

Technically I know how to sew, but rarely do anything due to lack of time (and bobbin cover now ) My mother sewed everything and it's such a disappointment to her that neither of her girls sews hardly at all.

Meredith, is your mom still living?

yes, she's 78 but doesn't sew anymore, or do any of the other needle crafts she loves, because of arthritis.

Getting old is a little scary. I don't want to give up what I enjoy due to illness. I guess we'll have to adjust our hobbies and interests to accommodate our health issues.

Meredith, has your mom found anything to replace her hobbies?

She goes to the local senior center daily on their shuttle bus. I think mostly she plays Mah Jongg and cards.

I've been sewing since I was 8. My mother taught me.

I bought my own Singer in 1975 with $ from my first job and I'm still sewing with the same machine. I have it serviced every couple of years. I've been tempted to buy a newer machine because I'd like to have one with a "wind-in-place bobbin" and a "1-step buttonholer" but I don't need a machine with 60 different stitches on it and all of those other bells and whistles and it's hard to find a simple sewing machine these days. So, I just keep sewing along with my ancient machine.

A couple of years ago I decided to convert a very small den in our house to a sewing room. My husband and I put all of the computers and stuff in our basement and, after 40 years of sewing, I finally have the luxury of a sewing room. One of my daughters also enjoys sewing and I'm helping one of my other daughter's friends make an anime costume so the room is being put to good use. :-)