Monday, February 18, 2008

My sewing machine and I

We really don't know each other that well. I've taken my machine out for a spin, in class only, twice now. I bought my machine after I was laid off...sometime last summer (2007), after I did a *bit* of research. I know that I used the "billmelater" option and my machine was reconditioned. It's a Brother SE-270D. The "D" stands for "Disney." Now, I'm not into Disney. Although I have nothing against Mickey Mouse and his ilk, I'm not a fan either. So my machine has Disney characters built in and I'll have to live with that.

I went with a combination sewing and embroidery machine because I could see myself, a year after I'd start sewing my own clothing, wanting to embellish my creations without wanting to do the work. My machine can embroider an area up to 4" x 6". Not shabby, but not the largest area possible. Without even having embroidered a single thing with my machine, I already feel inadequate. I see designs that I'd like to embroider, and of course, they're for 5" x 7" hoops. It all comes down to using what I have. Appreciating what I have, before coveting the next, new thing. I'm such a marketing pawn.

Next post: my first (and second) pair of pajamas

peace & karma points! =;)

Sunday, February 17, 2008

Laying the foundation of my sewing empire

I've been crafting - cross stitching, crocheting, knitting, embroidering, oil painting, drawing, etc. now and again from an early age (five or so?). Sometimes I had a lot going on and other times, I had all but abandoned creating things. Eventually I always circle back. According to my grandma, I used her portable Singer (model unknown) around the age of seven to make doll's clothes. She claims I had helped myself to the machine, taking it out of the closet where it lived. When she asked me how I had learned to operate the sewing machine, I replied that I had read the instruction booklet. The funny thing is, I have virtually no memory of using that machine. No recollection of any doll's clothes I supposedly sewed. I do recall the glass-topped black desk with white porcelain knobs and the sewing stand which was painted black to match. The right hand desk drawers were full of sewing goodies, as was the sewing stand. I freely used whatever I found stuffed in these spots; no one was using any of these goodies.

Around the time I was twelve, my aunt and I sewed a dress with reversible vest for me. She let me pick out the pattern and the fabric. I thought I was a designer! Of course, in retrospect, the color combination was awful. One of the fabrics was chocolate brown with small cream flowers sprinkled randomly all over, the other was the same colorway - reversed, and the third was a fine pinwhale corduroy in cream. I'd love to find a photo of me wearing this dress, but I'm afraid none exist. (At least, none that I'm aware of.)

I also tried my hand at sewing small plush animals. Did I sew more than one? I don't know.

This time around, I was inspired to start sewing for a variety of reasons: 1. to cover my couch, 2. to hem my own pants, 3. to finally escape the frustration of shopping for ill-fitting rtw clothing that falls apart right after the first wearing.

Next post: me and my sewing machine

peace & karma points =:)

Official *first* post

For a loooong time now, I've wanted to write a blog. If I'm not mistaken, this blog will be my third attempt. First it was, "walls2windows.com" - back before blogging was hip and back before everyone and their brother had a blog. But I didn't know what I wanted to post. I thought I'd showcase my photoshopped photos, share my list of recommended Palm OS apps... I still own the domain, but the site no longer functions, and I haven't decided what to do with it.

Second attempt was, "quotidian bits" on blogger. But, I wasn't posting on a quotidian basis. Post layoff, my life had not expanded to fill the freedom that being unemployed afforded me.

Which brings me to this, my third attempt, at blogging. Over the years I've come to conclusion that the best blogs focus on a passion with daily life served up as a sidebar to that passion. So, what is/are my passions?

Many! So many, that I've struggled with naming my blog and narrowing the focus. Therefore, I'm going to start blogging about learning to sew, which is my *latest* passion. From there, I'll get to the other passions.

Next post: building my sewing empire. (I'm someone who buys ALL the tools long before I've stitched a single thing. Which is why I'm amazed when I read in someone's blog that after 15 or 20 years of sewing, they've just now discovered the joys of using tailor's hams. Wow.)

peace & karma points =;)