Using a sewing machine

Category: Crafts and Hobbies

Post 1 by moonspun (This site is so "educational") on Tuesday, 05-Apr-2011 7:52:16

Hi there, folks

I've just discovered that, now that I've moved house, I have relatively easy access to a super little fabric shop that's not far away. I found some really nice stuff in there, but can't really justify buying it until I can do something with it. As I'll have kittens coming along soon for new homes, I'd like to be able to make my own kittening blankets etc, and so thought it would be a good idea to learn how to use a sewing machine. My mum has an old electric model that she's happy to give me, but she says she cna't really give me any tips on how to use it safely. Can any of you?

Thanks in advance

FM

Post 2 by SilverLightning (I've now got the silver prolific poster award! wahoo!) on Tuesday, 05-Apr-2011 10:00:07

Don't put your finger in front of the needle, best tip I can give you.

Post 3 by Grace (I've now got the ggold prolific poster award! wahoo! well done to me!) on Wednesday, 06-Apr-2011 6:18:35

Maybe if you started out simplier than with a sewing machine?

At the fabric shop maybe they have some of that soft fleece like material?
It is super soft and if you take a larger rectangle of it and fold
it in half

you then have three sides to close shut.

Would not have to use a sewing machine.

Some sewing shops have the larger needles that are NOT sharp

with LARGE are in top of the needle where you run thick thread through
this the eye of the needle.

Ask if therre is someone in the sewing shop that could show, say you mum, how to slip close this fabric.

Just an idea.

Also before "slip close" the fabric, could place a cushy pillow in it to make it more comfy like for the kittens.

Post 4 by moonspun (This site is so "educational") on Friday, 08-Apr-2011 3:06:30

Lightning, this goes without saying, surely?

Grace, thanks for your advice, but I already know how to hand stitch. However, when you have a litter of six, plus a full time job, plus potentially hand feeding kittens, perpetual clearing up of litter trays etc, if I was to hand stitch each and every blanket I'll need, I'd not have any sort of a life! It's not just the kittening blankets I want to make though, which is why I'm looking into getting the machine.

Post 5 by Grace (I've now got the ggold prolific poster award! wahoo! well done to me!) on Saturday, 09-Apr-2011 5:25:10

I hear ya!

Wow, how many little softie Fluffy's?
Six yu say.
Wish you totally all the Best! *Smiles

Thanks for giving you to me to understand
that alreadied into hand sewing you are.
Many are not.

I enJOY quilting {kinda mid level }}
Not always so easy to explain all the steps
and in particular the use of sewing machines.

Post 6 by Grace (I've now got the ggold prolific poster award! wahoo! well done to me!) on Saturday, 09-Apr-2011 5:27:06

Well, it is not so much
placing one's finger on front of
the needle or in back of

It is the placing the finger right under the needle and then

oop!!
Oh No!!
OuChie Ouch!! Hurts bad like anything..

Post 7 by moonspun (This site is so "educational") on Wednesday, 13-Apr-2011 10:41:56

Hi there

No kittens yet. She isn't pregnant, but will be soon, well, whenever she starts sticking her bum in the air and I can get her out to stud! She could have anything up to about 6 kittens, but 4/5 are more common in Persians.

FM