[Crazy_Charlie]

Yeah, I have one of those technical advices called "sewing machine" (dunno the proper english words for it). It was an investment, I bought it for some of the money I inherited when my father died. Everything I buy of those money is supposed to be something I have for a long time, and that proves very useful. So I bought a very expensive one to make sure it was proper.

Now. It belongs to the story of course that I have never been very good with those machines. Actually, I am a tiny bit afraid of them. But since I can knit, chrochet, embroider, paint, decorate, why not sew on a sewing machine? Instead of constantly getting help in sewing curtains and fixing clothes I can do it myself! Knowing how to handle a sewing machine opens up a whole new world of things you can make and do!

So, some years ago I bought this expensive little (very heavy) thing, and the last year it has been standing ready for use to encourage me. We bought some material, and I was going to sew a new cover for the couch. just a simple cover to prevent the original cover to get more holes. Just something to put on top. Its a simple thing, just make sure the edges are nice and sew the different colours together in a nice pattern. It is done now, and looks quite good, but haleluja (!), how stupid these machines can make you feel.

It took me half an hour to put the thread into the machine. I have actually been doing this several times before, but this time I managed to do it the way it was supposed to be. After trying a few times I figured I also needed a thread on the UNDERSIDE, well. I knew this too, but hey, it takes some time to think of everything, right? I happily started sewing, and done with the first piece I realized I had not really been making a straight line. Not at all actually. After trying several times, I just admitted that straight lines were not for me, and besides, I had a bigger problem. I had been sewing the "bottom" of the piece together with the "top". After a lot of trouble I was finally done with the first piece, only seven to go.
With the second one it went better, I had learned from my mistakes! It was getting a bit chilly in my room though, so I took on a sweater. Not very smart, as I have a problem with details and thereby stick my head and hands all the way too close to the machine. Yes, of course my sweater was sewed into the cloth I was working on. Twice, to be accurate.
I ran out of thread at the end, and had to put in a new one into the machine. Sadly, I thought my learning capabilities was better than they are, and did it wrong because I did not check out the manual throughly enough. After several problems, lumbs in the thread, a broken needle, and I don't know how much of my fathers swearing skills, I realized my mistake.
In addition to all this, I don't know how many times I FORGOT to take the foot off the pedal while having a break, and thereby stepping on it when getting off the chair, resulting in the sewing machine living its own life (TATATATATATATATATATA- OOOPS ). Oh yeah, I also forgot to turn it ON at some point after turning it off, and got practically hysterical because I did not understand what was wrong.

We now have a very nice cloth on the couch, but I am seriously considering giving up on that machine. If I do this many stupid things, is there really any chance that I will ever be able to learn this?

Sigh.

Charlie

Oh, man....I totally relate! I never sewed outside of home economics class (something kids take here to learn basic cooking, sewing and I don't remember what else), but that was...hum....30 years ago! But when I bought my first house, and it needed curtains, I brought out the sewing machine. I had to read the manual to learn how to thread it. Wowsa.

But, I bought a book on Home Decorator Sewing and off I went. I made curtains for every window in the house. Lined them, scalloped them, Roman shades, pinched pleats, you name it! I went mad. I even made bedspreads with matching tailored or ruffled bedskirts. And the piles of pillows! I was completely out of control. This went on for about a year. When I finally did a tiny little curtain for the backdoor...the LAST thing I could possible think to sew, I swear I started getting the shakes. I couldn't believe I had to stop! But stop I did! I NEVER made another thing! I couldn't look at that machine for years. I still can't believe that was me. And good thing I have pictures of that house or none of my friends would buy this story!

As I sit in my current apartment, I look around and realize that all the curtains are store bought, and my ex husband has custody of the sewing machine!

em

[Crazy_Charlie]

Yay, I actually wish I had that experience (not my ex husband running away with the machine, but the production). I don't really have time for it now, but I was hoping I could learn quilting with the machine at some point, we'll see when life has turned more into normal again.

Funny thi, men and sewing machine. I always viewed that as something strictly female (it used to be when I grew up)- but noth my ex husband and my current boyfriend thinks it quite funny and are strictly speaking quite a lot better than me, hehe.