Don't Laugh...

So I finally started sewing. I received the sewing machine on Christmas Day, but I had some mental hurdles to jump over before I could get started. You see, my mother had an evil sewing machine when I was growing up. Every time I got inspired to learn to sew, her machine would laugh at me and eat the thread (it would actually get all wound up in the bobbin). Most of my memories of sewing are marked with frustration. Because of this, I was convinced I was going to destroy my new sewing machine. I needed to build-up my self confidence. I tend to be one of those people who give up on things if I'm not awesome at them from the get go. Unrealistic I know. Needless to say, I've missed out on some cool stuff. I recently shared my fears with my mother, and she told me that sewing machine had some major malfunctions and my experience would be much better. You know what, she was right.

Okay, so my first few attempts at sewing are nothing short of hilarious. I had some left over felt from my son's Halloween outfit, another hilarious endeavor. If you're curious, check it out here. I decided to practice by making a little purse type thingy and a hideous puppet. I originally intended to give the puppet to my son, but I'm afraid it will give him night terrors.

My biggest issue right now (other than producing insane felt objects) is that I'm not comfortable with the speed of the machine. I have a hard time following a line, etc. My mother suggested I draw some designs on a piece of paper and practice following them with my needle (sans the thread). This will be my next adventure.

Sewing for Dummies

Okay, so I've wanted to learn how to sew for a while now. When I was little, my grandmothers would make me dolls and clothes. My mother graduated from her sewing nook and turned my brother's room into her own sewing paradise. She's makes wedding dresses, baby accessories, quilts (her favorite), and anything else she feels like creating. In fact, if you visit my son's blog, Just Jack, I often take pictures of him playing on a special quilt she made for him out of my grandmother's fabric. My sister loves to quilt; my sister-in-law is a genius with yarn. I've wanted a more productive hobby (blogging is great but at the end of the day you don't have a product in your hand). Watching these women create things has inspired me to give it a try. Here's a picture of a doll my mother made for my son Jack. We call the doll Little Jack.

On a whim, I asked my mother-in-law for a sewing machine for Christmas. I honestly thought she would never find one cheap enough. Well, to my surprise on Christmas day I opened this: