[SeptemberMorn]

I've got a new Brother sewing machine with an EX-660 computer. It has 59 stitches not counting the straight stich. Been going nuts altering and hemming things that had been let go for a long time. Now I'm out of sewing to do! Well, maybe except for one thing. I bought a black, zip up hoody last year that I wanted to rework by adding some lace and stuff to it. However, it didn't stay in good condition very long. The zipper, hood and pockets started coming unsewn. Then I left it on the seat of my wheelchair and it got caught up in the tires and ripped... but I could still cover up the rips with the heavy lace I have in mind. I'm having trouble making up my mind as to whether to go ahead and rework it or just leave it for when I'm bumming around. What would you do?

Also, I'd like to find a hobby to do with my sewing machine but one that would go fast because I can't sit at it even in my wheelchair for very long periods of time. If it's a long project, I'd be afraid to lose interest and waste money.

Anybody got any ideas or hobbies they do?

[bebop]

I wish I was creative! I would love to sew. I thought I could learn how and bought a sewing machine after I got hurt. somehow now it is out of adjustment! waaaa I had a comforter I needed to repair waaaaaaaa

[SeptemberMorn]

That can happen easily, espcially when you move. Save up your pennies and get it fixed, Hon! It doesn't cost that much.

What else besides the conforter where you planning on sewing?

[Rose3]

fast hobby?
a few years ago I was making aprons - got all kinds of neat fabrics and made many aprons
People bought most of them.

How about Hallowe'en costumes?

enjoy

[SweetSunshine]

How about quilting table toppers?, place mats, runners.. things like that ? Table toppers dont take too long really .. depending on the patterns. I like them the best because it feels like a project and its kinda big.. but doesnt take long. Or a lapquilt.. those arent too bad either. Up to ewe!!! Have fun whatever you decide to do!!

[LMo]

I hate sewing. I'm trying to learn to like it. I've made a few pillows, some curtains, two duvets, and my next project is to make a pillowcase for my new Snoogle

I bought the fabric today - our fabric store was having a 40% off sale. The fabric is 100% cotton and has pictures of sock monkeys on it.

Congrats on your new machine, Tomi!

[_Hope_]

i love sewing, mainly i like to sew quilts all kinds really. three years ago i was afraid to touch a sewing machine, i got one for $12 and was so afraid to break it or hurt myself i studied the manual for 2 days. A year and a half later i was teaching quilting at a local shop. In the 3 years i have been sewing i have made several hundred quilts. ( i think that might be part of my OCD though).

Quilting brings me so much joy sometimes it is what gets me through. I love sharing that joy by teaching, inspiring or just giving quilts to those in need.

Linda

[kebsfroggy]

I use to do a lot of sewing <ul type="square">[*]clothes like skirts, dresses, jackets, vests[*]bunnies and all sort of crafty animals & critters[*]quilt blocks, lap quilts, quillows[*]place mats, table runners, pot holders and curtains[/list]Only trouble, now I don't remember how to do any of it.

I have a brand new Husqvarna/Viking Designer Series sewing machine (very very early computer sewing/embroidery). Can't exactly remember when I bought it but it's never been used.

Of all the things I did do I never had much success with reworking ready made clothes. My daughter in law makes a hobby of buying old clothes at thrift shop and reworking them into new skirts, tops, pants, and vests. She is very good at it but it's way beyond me.

[SeptemberMorn]

I've thought of making myself a couple of aprons. Didn't know women still wore them. LOL My mom never went without one when in the kitchen or cleaning house. Maybe I should take the hint. I always have to pretreat my shirts because they get so stained.

Were your aprons just for decoration or were they serviceable? If serviceable, what did you make them out of?

I don't know about Halloween costumes. I raised four kids and had my fill of that... although I did make one of my granddaughters a fairy costume about 3 yrs ago. She didn't wear the wings.

Aprons sound like a winner, though!

[SeptemberMorn]

Hmmm... I could make me and my little old lady friend lap quilts! How about quilted slippers? She's always got cold feet and mine freeze in the winter. Wonder if they have slipper patterns?

This is beginning to sound like fun!

[wickedwings]

ummmm....... i got a sewing machine 2 christmases ago from my mom, and i haven't used it yet! waaagh! i'm too easily overwhelmed!!!! have so much to do, need other things to do it (like rods for curtains, patterns, etc.) patterns costs me an arm, ya know. and i can't even remember how to use the darned sewing machine. lol. hopefully, i can get back into it. if only i can get my hubby to clean his STUFF off of the dining room table that he's hijacked for his remote-controlled car parts and all. lol. my house is so overrun with his STUFF - waaagh! i can't function in my own home with all of his piles of stuff. heh heh. well, i'm going in circles trying to clean, getting nothing done, and my in-laws are visiting next weekend. waaaagh! lol - i'm making a fool of myself here. lol.

[SeptemberMorn]

Yikes! Quilts! That's a BIG project! LOL How much hand work is involved? I can't hold a needle in my hand for very long without my fingers tingling. It's quite uncomfortable!

Got anything up your sleeve?

[SeptemberMorn]

For someone who hates sewing, you've made quite a few things! That snoogle is gonna be fun covering! What's it for, anyway? Does it have to do with being "with child"?

[SeptemberMorn]

Oh, I'll bet you could remember and get back in the swing of things! I used to make teddy bears our of calicos and fake fur. I never could get the joints right so I gave up. Maybe I should try it again?

There have been many a thing that I've tried my hand at. Now I just want something fun to do.

Did you clothe your critters or not? I never did put clothes on my teddy bears. Didn't want to hide the patterns on the material I made them of.

As for reworking used clothing, the grandmother did it all the time. ARGH! She would even take my old clothes and remake them to fit her. Everything was patched! YUCK! That's not what I had in mind for my hoodie. I just want to add some waterproof material to the hood, make a cape type affair for the front and back attached to the shoulders out of the lace and... and... oh, I don't know for the rest, but I'm sure there would be some embelishments. We'll see.

[SeptemberMorn]

You've got one of those kind of husband's, too, eh? Mine drives me crazy with all his piles everywhere! He never puts anything away!! I have to make him mad by bugging him before he'll do it.

Maybe after your company leaves, YOU can take over the dinning room table! If you don't still have the instruction book for your machine, I'm sure you could get one online. Read up and dig out that sewing machine! YES!

[Busysdizzy]

I like to sew. it is very theraputic. I make kids quilts and donate them to the local pediatric HIV/AIDS clinic. they give a quilt to each new baby they get in. I try to donate one a month. I am probably a little behind. I make fancy ones and then fill in with quick and easy ones in between to catch up with my quota. I was there one day and gave them a quilt. I saw a mother with a new baby. They told me that they gave that quilt to her. Made me feel all warm and fuzzy! :

[selfy]

aww thats so nice thats a great thing to do. id probably poke myself wit hthe needle and get all confused. its great that u r trying to help the community
take care
self

[kebsfroggy]

My daughter buys clothes in a very large size.... like a suit or dress and then cuts new clothes from the fabric in the garment.

I had/have an entire room dedicated to sewing, crafts, painting, fabric, patterns, how-to books, etc. From what hubby says I had quite a passion for all that stuff at one time.

Patterns are expensive and getting more so all the time. One thing I did learn was to make a copy of the pattern on that fabric that has the grid lines on it. That way the original is still there for reference and I can play with the copy.

Now there are quite a few places to find patterns and/or directions on-line. Quilt sites have free block patterns, doll sites have doll patterns. Crafts sites have a lot of information you probably wouldn't be interested in but also place mats, organizers, etc. It's not all the latest but it is free.

Most of my critters were more primitive than detailed and delicate. 2 rules
......minimal amount of hand work
......and easy.
And followed those rules for most of my projects.

[kebsfroggy]

Have you ever participated in a "swap"? Dicide on subject - bunnies, halloween, guilt block. Scope can be as wide or norrow as desired. Details like how many participate, time allowed to complete are worked out. Then FUN PART you make and swap. In the end you have 5-7-9 swap items each from a different friend.

Ever played "I spy". There are couple different renditions on the internet involving searching on-line fabric shops. If interested let me know and I'll pm the information.

A great many charity projects are available on-line. While often we hear of crochet and kniing projects there are fabric projects too.

Many different items are needed and most are really easy projects. Some charities even provide the pattern. IMO the real advantage is you get to use your creativity but don't end up with the results clogging up closets.

Two sites for information is
- www.sewing.org
- www.careware.org
It's been years since I was involved. I don't remember but don't think they sent junk mail or require money (not on my budget).

[kebsfroggy]

Purses and tote bags

[LMo]

</font><blockquote><div id="quote"><font class="small">Quote:</font>
SeptemberMorn said:
That snoogle is gonna be fun covering! What's it for, anyway? Does it have to do with being "with child"?


</div></font></blockquote><font class="post">

Kinda, yeah, because in a few weeks I'm not supposed to sleep on my back, and so I'm trying to break myself from the habit now.

But I gotta tell ya, this this is COMFORTABLE!!!! No matter what, I'm sleeping with this thing from now on! It's great!!!!!!

[SweetSunshine]

</font><blockquote><div id="quote"><font class="small">Quote:</font>
SeptemberMorn said:
Yikes! Quilts! That's a BIG project! LOL How much hand work is involved? I can't hold a needle in my hand for very long without my fingers tingling. It's quite uncomfortable!

Got anything up your sleeve?

</div></font></blockquote><font class="post">

Tomi~ you can machine quilt now. I am sure your machine directions can tell you what settings hon. I couldnt hold the needle either.. so thats how I've been doing the quilting itself. There are quilting shops that have templates too for different quilting patters. Use one of the chalks to draw the pattern on there and then just sew on top of it. Really easy!! Good luck .. hope you find something you enjoy doing!!

Hugz
Beth

[(JD)]

I think the lap quilts are a great idea. You can donate them to the nursing homes, as they use plenty of them. Maybe you could get others to donate scraps of fabric and threads so you wouldn't have a money issue?

Also, baby blankets or such for new borns to go home with. Some very poor families don't have any, and that would be a good way to give also.

Or you could make things to sell, perhaps? Doll clothes or such even?

[SeptemberMorn]

Quick reply...

WOW!!! What a boatload of information!!

Hmmm... I wonder... would it be against guidelines if we had a chat to exchange all of this info? We could encourage each other and maybe even swap our work!

Keb, I used to go to the thrift stores and buy clothes made out of interesting material as well as fake furs. It only takes 1/4 yard to make a teddy bear so I'd get several for a few cents. I should probably start that again.

Yes! I'm interested in your information. PM away!

Purses made out of jeans! YESSSS! Use shorts or cut the legs of pants, line with an interesting material and use a man's tie for the strap!

Beth, you're gonna hafta talk me into quilts! Guess maybe I'm thinking of the ones that have all sorts of tiny pieces you have to cut and sew together. Is there any other kind??

Sky lap quilts/baby blankets sounds good. If I ever get around to volunteering as a surrogate grandma, I could take them in as I finish them. I'll try a lap quilt for myself first. LOL I AM missing one as I practically live in my wheelchair.

I'm still half-heartly working on my T-shirts but I need to rev that up a bit because of Christmas coming. The aprons would be good for that, too... maybe even Christmas teddy bears. Wonder if the fabric stores have their Christmas fabrics out yet?

Suddenly, I'm overwhelmed. LOL Who wants to give me a ride to their favorite fabric store??

How about that chat, eh? Let's have one!

[ECHOES]

LOVE to sew but no machine anymore. I miss sewing.

I crochet, do counted cross-stitch, stamp (make things like Christmas cards).

cheap thrills. lol