In the excitment of being nearly birdpancake, I forgot to mention that I've picked up another hobby, Sewing! because you know.. I need holes in my head. And because I don't spend enough time and money on knitting, and I dont have enough space taken up by supplies. *grins* But in my defense this is a very useful skill to have and think of all the money I'll be saving by hemming my own pants and sewing the occaisional cute summer top. We won't speak of the cost of a sewing machine, notions, rotary cutting mat, fabric.. you get my drift. Those will be filed under the heading of "supplies". And over time - if you use them enough they pay for themselves.
Heidi being the fantastic enabler that she is, told me about sewing classes through San Diego's Continuing Education program and best yet - they are FREE. I convinced my sister to sign up with me and Yoly from work and occasional SD knitter in public also is taking the class. After getting the supply list for the class my sister and I went to Walmart to arm ourselves with the needful.
My sewing machine is Brother 2600i which I love, and have named Roxanne - cause she is eaaaaaaaaaaaaaasy. We started out with the least expensive model from Walmart which was a 10 stitch Brother LS-2125i and ended up returning it because it didnt have an overlock stitch. It was nice to have had a chance to sew on the lower end model first because we both appreciated the little design changes in the 2600i that the cheaper one didnt have. It has a built in thread cutter, a built in machine needle threader, drop in lower bobbin, and you dont even have to bring the lower thread up before starting to sew. Just drop it in, thread the needle and go! The foot pedal is also more sensitive and easier to control the speed of the stitches.
Roxanne with Orangina looking on
We've installed Roxanne into the craft room with an extra folding table that has the cutting board, and an ironing board for pressing seams and such. We've renamed the room the Vietnamese sweat shop, and when my sister comes over with her machine to sew, it really earns it name lemme tell ya. A floor fan helps to keep us from passing out from the heat.
The Sewing class is two Sundays from 9am -2pm and the basic focus of the class is to learn how to read a pattern and construct the pieces. One thing I need to work no now is cleaner finishing. My seams pucker a little, and I'm learning not to fear taking something apart to adjust the fit.
Classroom action shots and Mary mugging for the camera.
No matter how much you try pinning the paper pieces - you can never tell the fit until you try it on. I made a little summer top, and learned a heck of a lot in the process. It didnt come out perfect but for my first piece, I think it is really cute. Kind of like that first fuzzy fun fur scarf you knit when you first learn how to knit. Ignore the completely inappropriate bra, uh and the excess boobages. I'm going to put a little lace insert there to keep things PG.
Now back to working on Orangina...
Yay! Sewing! My second "real" job from 1978 to 1980 (omg I am SO old) was teaching sewing at a Singer store in Fullerton. I sold machines too, but mostly I taught. I loved it. Made my first wedding dress even. Good luck with it, it's a fun process ;)
Posted by: Inky | Sunday, July 16, 2006 at 07:14 AM
Cool--I'm envious! I asked for a sewing machine two years ago for Christmas and the openmouthed shock...anyway, it's still on the list, but we have no room. I'd like to learn to sew my own skirts and dresses, I never seem to be able to find any that a)fit right b)straddle the line between hoochy and grandma nicely c) are made out of soft light natural fiber. Someday. I'm too damn lazy to do handsewing. (sure, I'll spend 60 hours to knit something, somehow that's different.)
Posted by: spaazlicious | Sunday, July 16, 2006 at 07:25 AM
Ooh, I am all about trying to learn to sew right now. I found out you can like, BUY knit fabric and sew together a sweater. Not that I would give up knitting, but expanding my needlework skillz is feeding my secret Project Runway Season 4 fantasies.
Posted by: Kim | Sunday, July 16, 2006 at 09:37 AM
I've been thinking about learning to sew lately (because you can't knit everything). Your logic on the cost of supplies makes it all the more tempting!
Posted by: Laura | Sunday, July 16, 2006 at 09:20 PM
Yay Nancy! That top is great--I love the tie in the back!
Hey, if you want me to work with you to make your own 50s shirtdress, I can do that too. You should bring your machine over one day and we'll set up at our (new!) dining room table in front of all of our fans! That's the electric kind of fans, not the groupie kind.
Wendy, if you ever want anything custom made (which sounds fancier than it really is), let me know!
Posted by: Heidi | Monday, July 17, 2006 at 09:32 AM
It sounds like you guys are having a great time...I should check into those classes myself.
Thanks for the nice comment on Orangina - I look forward to seeing yours!
Posted by: Disentangled | Tuesday, July 18, 2006 at 08:15 PM
Ah, another addiction! Remember my nickname is Taniasews and my license plate is TEM SEWS, so it also is a serious addiction. I took fashion design classes at Mesa and tailoring at the SD Community College district. Where are your classes held? Where are you keeping your fabric stash? Have you tried fabric shopping at the National City Swap Meet?
Posted by: Tania | Wednesday, July 19, 2006 at 02:16 PM
I'm in the middle of doing the same thing!!! I bought a machine yesterday, a refurbished Brother 6000T. I'm searchin & searching for local sewing classes!
Posted by: Anna | Friday, August 04, 2006 at 06:06 AM