I really need to get going on lining some of my bags. Since I posted a couple weeks ago, I've done zilch on the sewing front. I'd much rather crochet than sew. The end. However, some comments on my previous rant blog post about my pile-o-poo sewing machine by the VERY informative Karen has prompted me to put the pedal to the metal, as it were. Wait- let's pause right here- go read her comments- don't worry I'll wait.
*dumdedumdedum.....I need to do laundry....and clean the kitchen....I hope those folks hurry up.....I wish my nose would stop running....whoo- I really shouldn't have eaten those peppers for lunch today......*
Oh good! You're back!
How awesome was that?? Thank you so much Karen!! (Btw- Karen belongs to a group called The Hat Ladies who make and donate hats to cancer patients in Corona, California. If you have time, send a couple hats their way!)
(ETA: Karen now has a blog! Check her out at http://artfulcrafts-karen.blogspot.com/ )
(ETA: Karen now has a blog! Check her out at http://artfulcrafts-karen.blogspot.com/ )
I really wish that I had access to all that information a long time ago! However, the good news is that I got a new machine for the New Year. My hubby was very sympathetic to my frustrations with my other turd pile machine and got me a FANTASTIC Brother XR-9000. It's a digital machine and has 120+ decorative stitches PLUS a font stitch. (It was on sale at Costco- they will sometimes have a $30 coupon in their mailers- check it out.) I've used it once to line a Watermelon Tote last month and I had absolutely no issues with it. I actually, dare I say it, ENJOYED sewing with it. It's smooth, quiet, and, best of all, it doesn't gobble my thread. (You can actually see it behind my shoulder in my Watermelon Hat pattern video which will be posted either tonight or tomorrow- yay!)
My old nemesis machine is a Singer 2932. AFTER I bought and fought with this machine, I found these reviews from Joanns and these ones from Amazon and couldn't help feeling a little vindicated. It wasn't just operator error! I knew that I wasn't all that incompetent. I read my manual and had tried changing needles and adjusting the bobbin tension and even maneuvering the needle by hand with the wheel. Nothing.worked.
I know that it's because of my very negative experience with my old sewer reject machine that I've been a little gun shy to really have a go with my new one. My Brother seems just too good to be true. However, I do have to get going. I have another Watermelon Tote to line, my Traveling Turtle Bag, the companion Turtle Handbag, the Not Quite Mitered bag, and, this- my Purple Haze Traveling Bag.
ACK!! I LOVE IT!!! I couldn't find the right handles for it for ages, which truly is the main reason I've not lined it yet. However, I was rummaging around the Good Will and found the *perfect* pair this week. So, hopefully I'll be able to get some lining accomplished this weekend. I really want to finish it very soon. The Traveling Turtle Bag is an overnight sized bag. This one is more like a long weekend sized. It's freakin' huge. And I love it. (ETA: I was writing up the pattern to this bag as I was crocheting it, so the pattern should be up relatively soon...part of my New Year's Resolutions list thingy.)
So, thank you again, Karen, for both your wealth of knowledge and for giving me the push I needed to get back on the horse sewing-wise. It is very much appreciated!
