The Basics

I had my first official success last night as I was finally able to get my sewing machine to start sewing! After I knew I had all of my tools ready and working I did some reading up on fabrics.

I bought this book, called Sew U: The Built by Wendy Guide to Making Your Own Wardrobe (by Wendy Mullin with Eviana Hartman) a few weeks ago and I'm hoping it will help me learn the basics of sewing. The second chapter of the book is all about different kinds of fabrics and I have to admit I am feeling a little overwhelmed. My brain is still swimming with words like warp and weft, herringbones, moleskin, gabardine, selvage... the list goes on.

The most important thing I read was probably about prepaing fabric for a project. For example, you are supposed to wash your fabric before you use it (especially cotton because it shrinks). Also, you have to check the grain to make sure that it's not leaning a certain way otherwise your project will end up looking wonky when you're finished.

So, my plan is to finish reading up about fabrics and patterns and then start Chapter Four which is a crash course in sewing.

Daydreaming Spring

Love, love, lovin' the spring/summer collection from SHABD!!! Yessss tye dye. I'm inspired. I think I'm going to tye dye my bed sheets.

Check it out:

http://www.shabdismyname.com/2010spring/2010spring.html

First Thing's First

I got a new sewing machine for Christmas (Singer Inspiration-- thanks Santa!!) and last night I decided to take it out for the first time and set it up and all that jazz. NOT as easy as I thought it would be. At first it was fine. I went through the instruction manual and made sure I was familiar with all of the parts and functions of this machine, then it came time to wind the bobbin. No problem. Threading the needle I had no trouble with either but when it came time for me to catch the bobbin thread I was lost. The needle thread kept looping around the outside of the bobbin and getting jammed. I had to rip out all of that thread and I was terrified I was going to rip out the guts of my sewing machine!! Finally, I did catch the bobbin thread and bring it up and I was ready to sew-- right? No. I think I set up everything right but when I tried to sew a bit, the fabric didn't move, and all the thread just got jammed up in one spot. There is a Get Started DVD that came with the machine so I'm going to look at that tonight and see if I can figure out what I've done.

It's a little frustrating that I've already run into problems and I haven't even tried to do anything yet. Looks like I'm still a VERY long way away from designing my own wardrobe.
Boo.

Welcome

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Welcome to my journey into the world of sewing, knitting, needlepoint and beyond!! This is intended to be a space for me to share the pretty little things that I love and how I am coming along with my own creations. At this point I am just a beginner at everything but I hope to be able to create beautiful clothing one day. Please feel free to post ideas, tips, tricks or whatever you feel like. Thanks for reading!