Finally found some time to play with the new toys!!! Its an interesting experience, the sewing machine feels very new, I've run through all the different stitches and re-threaded it and wound bobbins so I feel quite familiar with it. It is very slow compared to my old jet powered affair but I expect I'll get used to that.
There are lots of extra bits which I find a bit fiddly- its possible there were similar fiddly bits on my previous machine but I've long since lost them and then they become erased from living memory. Some of these bits look a bit more important so I will have to be a little bit careful. The spool requires a 'lid' or the cotton reel flies off - its detachable and already has a tendency to wander around the sewing table hiding - the other worrying bit is the small piece of plastic which covers the drop in bobbin - when the bobbin is changed this piece also detaches altogether and I can see it disappearing if I'm not disciplined about it!!!
After a boring little play on an old sheet I decided to make something practical that would test out the inner workings of both the overlocker and the sewing machine so I spent yesterday and today making two cushion covers - both moderately successful.
The first cushion cover is a machine embroidered appliqued pattern onto a patchwork back ground. I have vowed not to buy any more fabric until I have diminished some of my extensive stash, so this is made entirely from recycled, salvaged and scraps of fabric that I have already. I have kept the raw edges and have oversewn using machine embroidery and an embroidery foot. I wanted it to look overblown and big so I added a frill- never again!!! It took ages and was difficult to keep in the right place when I sewed it all up and I dont really like it once done ha ha! C'est la vie thats all part of playing.
The second cushion came about because I wanted to play with the overlocker so I was joining patchwork bits from an old sample book, I didn't really like the fabric much so I was just experimenting. Then when I was looking though stash I found these large flowers so I appliqued them on top of the patchwork and was quite pleased with the end result - its a much cleaner tidier finish then the previous one. This machine has a dedicated applique stitch - it took forever - slow machine but is a tidy effort for a first time and I'm sure I'll get used to the plodding speed!
There are lots of extra bits which I find a bit fiddly- its possible there were similar fiddly bits on my previous machine but I've long since lost them and then they become erased from living memory. Some of these bits look a bit more important so I will have to be a little bit careful. The spool requires a 'lid' or the cotton reel flies off - its detachable and already has a tendency to wander around the sewing table hiding - the other worrying bit is the small piece of plastic which covers the drop in bobbin - when the bobbin is changed this piece also detaches altogether and I can see it disappearing if I'm not disciplined about it!!!
After a boring little play on an old sheet I decided to make something practical that would test out the inner workings of both the overlocker and the sewing machine so I spent yesterday and today making two cushion covers - both moderately successful.
The first cushion cover is a machine embroidered appliqued pattern onto a patchwork back ground. I have vowed not to buy any more fabric until I have diminished some of my extensive stash, so this is made entirely from recycled, salvaged and scraps of fabric that I have already. I have kept the raw edges and have oversewn using machine embroidery and an embroidery foot. I wanted it to look overblown and big so I added a frill- never again!!! It took ages and was difficult to keep in the right place when I sewed it all up and I dont really like it once done ha ha! C'est la vie thats all part of playing.
The second cushion came about because I wanted to play with the overlocker so I was joining patchwork bits from an old sample book, I didn't really like the fabric much so I was just experimenting. Then when I was looking though stash I found these large flowers so I appliqued them on top of the patchwork and was quite pleased with the end result - its a much cleaner tidier finish then the previous one. This machine has a dedicated applique stitch - it took forever - slow machine but is a tidy effort for a first time and I'm sure I'll get used to the plodding speed!
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