Sewing... Arrrgh!

[blinc]

I am really, really bad at sewing. I've had a couple of sewing machines in the past and have tried over and over again to get the hang of it. No joke - I can't even seem to sew a straight line on a hem. It turns out all wavey.

Well it's getting to the point where I just have to get a sewing machine... I can't keep up with mending everything by hand. Does anyone have any recommendations for a REAL easy sewing machine to use? Is there any such thing as a bobbinless sewing machine? I always end up with a knotted mess under the needle area, where the bobbin is... and I've tried to figure out the tension adjusting things... Arrgh! The things hate me!

ANY suggestions of a machine that is easy to operate would be most welcome! :)

[In_His_Shadow]

So sorry blinc. I don't sew. I do however love to crochet, needlepoint, cross-stitch etc. But add a machine to it and I suddenly have two right hands (I'm a lefty).

I have found that duct tape works on about anything :)

CJ

[blinc]

Ok I just busted out laughing out loud over here... the dogs are looking at me like I'm the kooky one... if they could only read!!

Duct tape! Aaagh! That's just too funny! {toothy}

[ntexas]

Excuse me, blinc, but In-His-Shadow was serious. Duct tape DOES work on just about anything!

As for the easier version of a sewing machine? Don't take this the wrong way, but they make 'toy' sewing machines that you can buy in toy stores like Toys R Us that are very simple to use (and really do sew, just none of the fancy stuff). I don't know about bobbin-less, but you might want to check it out?

I'm one of those old-school susie-home-maker sewing graduates myself. I learned sewing from my Mom, and also took it in home economics class (remember those classes! Hah!). I enjoyed it, but I practiced constantly. We had lots of kids in our family, and my Mom had us making most of our own clothes.

I sewed when I had kids too, and even sewed some stuff for my grandbabies a few years back, but haven't had the old machine out for quite awhile. Maybe you could ship your mending to Texas? I'll dig out the machine, and keep you in stitches?

okay, okay .... bad pun. Remind you of anything?

[blinc]

Yes, it reminds me that in this whole wide world, there's a couple other loonies out there besides me! {toothy}
*cough* Of course, we won't mention the other names!

Believe it or not... the next time I get to a bigger city, I'll check that out. I'm seriously unskilled at working on a sewing machine... have no idea why the ability eludes me! It's darn aggravating!

[cool chic]

I know where you are coming from! Until last year I was constantly at my parents to borrow their machine. My mother would see how frusterated I was, and would usually take over!
Last Christmas they found this really easy and simple machine for me. It is from Sears - Kenmore. It came with a really easy to understand manual - with pictures! There are a few different stiches - nothing to difficult! And I can actually change the bobbin without any major messes! I have made a few throw pillows, and I am now attempting to make my daughter a dress!

[blinc]

Cool chic, do you know the name or model of the machine? If I can't find a kiddy one, or bobbinless one, I'd definitely be interested in the one you're using. SO glad to know I'm not the only clutzy person around a sewing machine! :)

[cool chic]

My machine is a Sears Kenmore Model # 385.8108 It was about $189.00 (Canadian). I had a kids sewing machine when I was much much younger, this is a couple steps above that, and is capable of a few more stiches! I had the whole bobbin part under the sewing machine fall apart...followed the directions (pictures) in the manual and was able to get it all back together with no major hair pulling! I love it!

[blinc]

Well that's encouraging! It seems the bobbins are what mess me up so badly. I keep ending up with this tangled mess of thread under the plate thing, where the needle goes down. The books said to "adjust the tension settings". I adjusted the darn thing every which way and STILL got those tangled AARRGH Messes! AAAAAAGGGH! The things drive me batty!

Thank you for the model No. it's something I'm really going to look at. Thanks! :)

[Karenluvs6]

i have been telling hubby for over a year that I will sew his Rebel flag for him.

Just take it down off the wall and I'll do it, I promise!


If I say that now, he'll just give me a look...he doesn't even bother anymore.

[kezzer]

I had hubby get me a sewing machine for Christmas. I am almost a pro at making pj bottoms! I also made hubby a pair of long johns.

[Austruck]

I admire anyone who can use a sewing machine well. My mom wasn't bad at sewing, but I distinctly remember as a kid hearing her working on a project at the kitchen table, and all we ever heard was:

"zzzzzzzbzzzzbbbbzzzzzzzzzzz" [the machine]

then

"$#@%*&@!%##$#+!!" [my mom]

And back and forth it would go like that. So, home ec classes aside (in which I did make a purse and a skirt), I never had much desire to learn sewing. Seemed too...dangerous. :)

So I hem pants, etc., by hand, and hate it every time. And I shop at thrift stores and Walmart because frankly, that's cheaper than buying your own material and sewing your own clothes.

I crochet a lot these days, so that makes me feel a little less like a craft clutz. But still, I wish I could sew....

[kezzer]

Up until recently I felt it was dangerous too. I was scared to death of one in Home EC, and I never could remember how to thread it or do the bobbin, but I think I took to it pretty quick.
I'm not great and have a hard time with patterns, but it is fun learning and when I get a spare few minutes the sound of it can be so relaxing!

[PsalmReader]

I did some sewing projects in 4-H many years ago. :) I enjoyed it then. If I had a good machine I might enjoy it now-- IF I could find the time without little hands getting in the way. {eek} Ouchie!

[kezzer]

Yup, I had to turn a part of my closet into my sewing room because I just couldn't sew in the living room at the couch because the baby would mess with it too much. Now I havent sewn much because finding the time when he is asleep or occupied or my hubby is home and able to keep watch.