Monday, March 08, 2010

New Gadget

My dear friend and neighbor SuperJen can do it all. She can sew, bake, garden, and craft with her little girl better than Martha Stewart, and all the while hold down a very demanding corporate job. I say she's so super because she's also strikes an impressive figure at 8 feet tall (ok, maybe not 8 feet, but when you're barely tiptoeing above 5 feet like me, everyone seems towering). She's not just Jen, she's SUPERJEN! And she has a Super Heart to match. Aside from always being there as a friend in neighbor in all the ways that count, her generous nature led her to gift me with this contraption recently.
My hands have never touched one of these things before. I hear they are quite handy though. Jen bought herself a well deserved fancy-pantsy one and brought this one over to me. But it sat, for a short while, because this thing had lots of gears and knobs and delicate looking parts and I didn't want to hurt it. So SuperJen came to the rescue again this weekend, and took the time to give me my first lesson. I learned such essential skills as how to turn the thing on, what the heck a bobbin is, how to thread the thing, and how to  make it go. My husband thinks I will be able to whip up a new stack pack for the boat this week. I was hoping I could make a whole new wardrobe for Zach. Apparently, I still have a lot to learn first. A LOT. I am sticking to attempting straight lines on pieces of scrap for now.

So the gadget and I will get to know each other. Slowly. And perhaps one day I will regale you all with a fabulous, colorful, project that involved stitched cloth. Perhaps.

15 comments:

Joy said...

That's awesome, Cindy! I'm sure you'll have a blast getting to know your new machine. :) When you're ready to step an eensy bit past straight lines, go to the link below for a simple, super cute project that Z will love. ;)
http://www.purlbee.com/purl-frog/

Lilia said...

Congratulations on your sewing machine. I've had mine (from my grandma) for years and still can't sew a strait line. I think my patience isn't quite there. Good luck! =) If you ever get any super duper dummy proof easy patterns to try, please share! I'd love to wipe the dust off and make another attempt.

michele said...

as someone who LOVES the art of sewing....i'm always happy to see a new recruit! :) i hope you love it, and enjoy your new machine!

and i am so totally making that frog joy posted....so.stinkin'.cute.

FrontierDreams said...

SQUUUEEAAAAALLLLLLLL!! What a thoughtful friend and oh how exciting!!
Think she could come here and help me out sometime????? :)
Can't wait to see what you do!
XOXO

Wendy said...

Good luck. I felt the same way when I got a newer sewing machine for my birthday. I've gotten much better since then.

If you're looking for an easy project (with all straight lines) I've got a fairly detailed tutorial on my site for fabric grocery bags made from recycled sheets. It uses all straight lines.

Wendy said...

Did I mention it uses all straight lines?

Geesh.

Wendy said...

Oh yah, I should probably add the link...

http://wisdomofthemoon.blogspot.com/2008/01/cheap-easy-fabric-grocery-bags.html

Laura said...

You will learn to love that thing! You are going to be great! They are lots of fun!

Sarah said...

Sewing machines are great! My husband got us one for canvas boat projects that has been serving us well. But beware of trying to sew canvas as a first project! It is thick and seems to mess with our machine a lot. I hope that you post some pics of all your cool projects. I mostly taught myself to sew on my mom's machine. Basics are easy to pick up with a little practice.

Brittney Harmon said...

We're looking to get out in the water soon (as a family of 4). I'm finding myself relaxed and encouraged at seeing all of these creative projects on your blog. I thought I was going to have to give all that up. And while I'm pretty sure our boat is gonna be MUCH smaller than your cat I will be sure to find a place for the sewing machine :o)

Ellen Landrum said...

Yay! Good luck and have patience- it took me YEARS to learn mine. Keep plugging away and don't listen to the boat canvas expectations- and when you get the inkling, Sailrite.com has some well-designed kits for most any boat project. I love them. Don Casey's Canvas book is also indispensable, and inspiring.

eringoodman said...

oh how exciting!!!

i used to sew a lot but haven't in years and i just received a new (used) machine from a friend too.

looking forward to seeing what we both create wtih our new contraptions!!! ;-)

boatbaby said...

Thanks everyone for the kind and supportive words! And for the links and patterns... cool! Wendy, your project looks perfect! Thank you for linking me up.

christine ~ ourdayourjourney said...

Oh, imagine the possibilities.

I am in a similar "boat". I did sew something back in the 7th or 8th grade and I want to find the time to try out sewing again. I am slowly warming up to the sewing machine, well I've been looking at it in it's case and wondering if it is going to come out and play nicely :)

boatbaby said...

Christine, I think the one and only time I touched a sewing machine was 6th grade home ec class too. I hope your sewing machine plays nice with you.

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