I got a sewing machine!

**khjmom** · 12-16-2008, 07:30 PM

Now what do I do with it.....lol. I have walked into the fabric store...and mercy....so many choices... I don't know where to start. So, my question to you would be what should I learn to sew first? It has been way too long since I have used a sewing machine. What would you recommend for a beginner project? I am trying to become more frugal, so I would prefer something easy that is useful. I figured someone would have ideas for me....TIA

**homesteadmamma** · 12-16-2008, 08:06 PM

Enjoy your sewing machine. I think probably the easiest would be aprons, pot holders and pj's. You might even want to try pillow cases. Once you get started you're going to enjoy sewing I'm sure. I can't imagine not having a sewing machine in my life. It's a good friend.

**hestlauss** · 12-16-2008, 08:14 PM

Book bags/reusable grocery bags are easy and make really good presents.

**Momto2Boyz** · 12-16-2008, 08:16 PM

Whenever I get a new machine, I find some cheapo scrap fabric and just basically sew lines onto it, get to know the stitches, etc.

Curtains are always really easy things to make if you need them, throw pillows, just anything basic. Also, check your local thrift store for fabric and patterns. I never thought to ask, and I was in there with a friend the other day and she was looking for ribbon. They directed us to a dark corner of the store and lo and behold, they have a whole craft/sewing section. I was in frugal crafters heaven!

**Teresa T** · 12-17-2008, 05:49 PM

Shopping totes. (one of my favorite things to make and use)
Pillow covers (good to learn button holes if your machine does that)
Coasters.
Curtains! (I have bought lace fabric at Walmart for $2.00 a yard and made my own curtains)

Try some simple square patchwork for your projects. I'm a great fan of sewing a straight line.

Try "Craftster" for lots of free ideas. Or just google "free" and whatever project you are looking at ideas for.

Do enjoy your sewing machine. I love having mine.

I also like to search on Flickr for ideas. People post pics of items they have made and you can get some ideas there.

**FrugalMomof3** · 12-17-2008, 06:36 PM

You can make tons of things! Enjoy your new sewing machine.

**khjmom** · 12-17-2008, 08:14 PM

I have been blessed with some fabric to play with. Thanks for all of the suggestions......I can't wait to get started which will be next week when I am out of school.

**brook** · 12-19-2008, 07:57 PM

One of the best things you can do for yourself is to create a Notebook for your sewing.

This will be samples of new techniques you learn. An example is cut two pieces of fabric about 4x4inches and sew together 5/8 of an inch from the raw (cut) edge.

Pin this to a piece of paper with a note about what it is and what you did.

Something like this

5/8" Seam Allowance

the 5/8" seam allowance also written as S/A was established as an industry standard. It is measured from the cut edge and sewn together.

(be sure to press it open before pinning it to the paper. I can't stress enough to press each and every step in the assembly of your sewing project. It makes the difference between 'homemade' and "custom made")

I prefer to get plastic sheet protectors to slide my sampler into and then into a 3 ring binder.

Each time you learn a new technique... practice a few times until you figure it out and then make a sample.

If your machine does twin needle sewing, you can use two different colors of thread on top and a color in the bobbin, making fun and whimsical stitches.
Check out your manual to see if your machine can do twin needle stitching.

Did you get any attachments with your machine?

I love to sew. My most favorite thing to sew is Aprons.

Brook

**The Muse** · 12-19-2008, 08:06 PM

I'm about to inherit a sewing machine from DH's grandmother and I'm so excited!

I'm looking forward to sewing curtains for my mudroom and a ton of cool aprons. I love aprons, but they're so spendy

**lilk** · 12-21-2008, 12:35 AM

Congrats, on your new sewing machine. Anything with straight lines is a good place to start. Have fun, and happy sewing.

**khjmom** · 12-21-2008, 07:28 AM

Originally Posted by The Muse

I'm about to inherit a sewing machine from DH's grandmother and I'm so excited!

I'm looking forward to sewing curtains for my mudroom and a ton of cool aprons. I love aprons, but they're so spendy

I just sewed my first pair of panels for my bedroom! I love my machine but my dh said that he can see it being scary if I am turned loose in the fabric store!

**larabelle** · 12-21-2008, 07:39 AM

How Wonderful!!
I love sewing! My advice would be to make a crazy quilt with fabric scraps which you can find loads at Thrift stores. For the inside batting part of the quilt go to the Thrift store and find the cheapest blankets you can find. I found several full size old ratty blankets at the thrift store for $4 and used them to make crazy quilts.
Enjoy your machine!

**phoeny_moonstar** · 12-21-2008, 11:33 AM

These are all such wonderful ideas. I just need to learn how to thread my machine and need to also learn how to sew a straight line.

**madhen** · 12-21-2008, 11:43 AM

I learned how to thread mine by taking it to a little sewing shop we have here in town and having them show me. Most of the privately-owned, non-chain, stores are super helpful. After all, they are hoping you will buy your fabric, thread, accessories, etc, there and possibly, once the bug bites, your super-duper fancy press a button and it spits out a quilt sewing machine.

(I also had them tune my little machine up, as it had a bit of a sticky needle.)

**brook** · 12-21-2008, 09:03 PM

Originally Posted by phoeny_moonstar

These are all such wonderful ideas. I just need to learn how to thread my machine and need to also learn how to sew a straight line.

recommendation....

with out thread in you machine, go get lined paper. sew on the lines with your machine. Up and down no thread! we don't care about thread yet.

once you are bored with straight lines, try wavy lines the one in the box
http://www.seqair.com/WildTools/Wavy/Wavy.html

when you get tired of those taking your straight lines and drawing a bar across every other one

!_!-!_!-!_!-! the - needs to be at the top of the !! what you are going to do is..

sew up to the bar and stop. Needle down in paper, lift presser foot, turn paper, presser foot down and sew.. to the end and repeat:

Needle down in paper
Lift presser foot
turn paper
presser foot down
sew

now draw diagonals across the paper from corner to corner make several lines and sew on the lines.

and finally spirals
http://www.seqair.com/WildTools/Spirals/Spirals.html

this is a great exercise in controlling the speed at which you are sewing, learning when to slow down and when you can put the peddle to the metal! it is learning eye hand coordination.

It is a lesson in watching the needle.. up and down, up and down... so that once you get bored with that... since that is all the needle ever does is go up and down, you have leaned to watch what is happening before the needle.

the metal or plastic plate the needle goes down into is called a needle plate. on or to the right of the needle plate should be lines and numbers.

this is how far the edge of the fabric is from the needle.

O <--- needle

O !1/4 !3/8 !5/8

gonna have to find a photo to explain this better.