Hello Dear Reader,
Back in September of last year my blog award was sponsored by Idealo, who I had never heard of before. My bread machine came to me via their website and now this sewing machine. I wanted a machine to teach people to sew on, that I could use here or take to them. I wanted something sturdy, reliable and that wouldn’t rock about when a beginner used it. I wanted a machine that was a simple as possible yet didn’t feel like a cracker prise.
I have a basic Brother machine, which is good enough to use as a travel sewing machine and at £80 it did incredibly well and I made all of my first quilts on it. It’s now ready to be passed on to my daughter for her to use. I now sew on a professional quilting machine but wanted something half way. I didn’t want it to cost too much but I didn’t want it to be cheap. Also, essential for a fumbling beginner, I wanted a threader so the novice could enjoy learning to sew with out the fuss of trying to get the thread through the needle.
I’ve used this little Husqvarna tonight and it has a low throaty hum which makes the whole thing sound reliable and it’s certainly quiet. I learnt to sew on a Husqvarna at school a million years ago and I’m delighted that this is still as easy to use. I’ve put it through its paces and it does everything my huge Elna does!
Now, I never ever suggest you ever get anything unless you really need it but I can no longer imagine life without a sewing machine. I’ve put lots of links up across the blog to take you to Idealo, where you can find sewing machines at the best price. It’s kind of the compare the meerkats of everything!
I’ll be listing my next sewing workshops really soon, including a couple of just come and sew and natter days. I’m also available to come to you (within Devon and Cornwall) to teach you to sew in the comfort of your own home. I’ll also be able to offer the use of this lovely machine for workshops here if you can sew already but don’t know if you want to go to the expense without testing it first.
For those who live too far away, if there’s anything you would like a tutorial for, then let me know and I can post it on here. I’ve not forgotten that one dear reader wanted me to demonstrate how to turn up trousers and I will get round to it.
Now over to you. Who else can’t imagine life without a sewing machine? Who else has saved a huge amount of money by recovering their furniture or making curtains or keeping the family warm with quilts?
I love hearing from you.
Until tomorrow,
Love Froogs xxxx
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I don't own a sewing machine but I do get more for my money by making and repairing things myself. Yes it takes longer but I enjoy hand sewing so as long as I can manage that I'll keep it up!
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Hi Robyn, nice to meet you. I show the 2 I made at my blog, http://sweet-little-cottage.blogspot.com.au/ Feel free to stop by and say hi. My bestie De has photos of 6 others she made for Chrissy presents for various family members. They really do help with the heat. debbie
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I have two machines and I have named them too. I didn't know anyone else did this, thanks for reassuring me that I MIGHT be normal…..or not…..debbie
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I'm not saying how many sewing machines I currently own, but I use three regularly; my beloved Jones Medium CS treadle, built in 1909, which takes care of nearly all our straight-stitch work & will stitch canvas, denim & leather without skipping a beat, my 1960s Jones 565 heavy-duty embroidery machine which is also treadled now after a motor blow-out, and a 2 y.o. Bernina, the straightforward all-metal one used in schools & colleges. Love them all, despite the grumpy Domestic Science teachers who said I had two left hands… Now I sell the things I make, as does my self-employed elder daughter.
There's a reason why sewing machines were such a hit in 1851 at the Great Exhibition, and why Singer was able to persuade housewives to buy them on HP in a debt-averse world. They can save you an ENORMOUS amount of time & money, with very little effort; they're not hard to learn to use (though please do read the instructions, particularly how to thread it) and can set your imagination free too. Not long ago I bought a bag of secondhand “fabric” for £1.50 which turned out to be two huge pairs of pristine vintage Laura Ashley made-to-measure fully-lined linen curtains, complete with pelmets & tie-backs; half a day with my scissors & the old Jones & we now have three sets and a matching door curtain, which would have cost well over a thousand pounds at today's prices for the same quality of fabric. Home has never looked so welcoming & co-ordinated!
In short, a sewing machine is one of the best investments you could ever make, in financial terms, in terms of space given up to fit it in (even a treadle!) and in terms of time spent learning how to use it to your own individual best advantage.
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Ok Froogs, I'm goin' in! I've had the machine for 15 years, and I've never used it, but with a hand me down pattern and fabric from family, it's now or never. No more skirting the issue, I'm off to make my first skirt!
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