Sunday, January 10, 2010

Learning to stitch on paper ~ a card!

So I've had this singer sewing machine since 1999. My Mother-in-law got a new one and gave me her old one. I was supposed to learn but I literally became pregnant 1 month after I married my hubby. (About 3 weeks after recieving the sewing machine lol!!)

I have always been intrested in crafting. I learned to do a little tole painting, I can cross stitch, and I've been known to attempt crocheting (did one hot pad!) so sewing was certainly on my list!!

I hooked the sewing machine up today... figured out how to change the thread, roll the bobbin (still have questions about that!!) and thread the needle... oh and change the needle. And change the needle. And change the needle. Yes 3 times! They kept breaking. First the needle hit the foot thingy and broke (twice) and then one time I think the thread got wound too tight and broke it. I am on my last needle and have to actually buy more. I also need to figure out what kind of bobbin my machine uses.

Any ways... here is the card I made. I sewed scrap strips on. There are a lot lot lot of sewing mistakes. The thread is all over the place!! But I LOVE it!! I had the embellishments from a blog candy I had won over the summer and they went perfect with my scraps! I didn't change a thing (ink, trim paper to fit) I just left it all natural and I think it turned out great. I even hand did the 'just bee-cause' ~ simply because I wanted it to say bee and I didn't feel like individually stamping each letter.



Ok so this is long but I am hoping someone who reads this blog can help me with my sewing. So here are a few questions:
1. Why is my needle not lined up with the foot properly and breaking? Do I need to take my sewing machine somewhere for an alignment?
2. Any place that is 'better' to buy sewing machine supplies? Micheal's had one generic brand of bobbins & needles. The needles worked and the bobbin didn't.
3. What is a bobbin and why do I need it? I am really confused by that one!! LOL!
If you have any answers I would appreciate it!!
Thanks to anyone who took the time to read this long, long, long post.
Remember there will be two Wild Cards coming this week. I've got them done. :D So look for them!!!

1 comment:

  1. Lisa, I am not a Pro but I do own a Singer sewing machine since 1991, LOL. Once in a while I take it out and try to sew something. I would love to learn crochet and bought myself a book and crocheted a 2X3 piece and got stcok. I do understand your frustration.
    These are your questions and my answers:
    1. Why is my needle not lined up with the foot properly and breaking? Do I need to take my sewing machine somewhere for an alignment? ----I really do not know the answer for this one but make sure the flat part of the needle faces the flat side of where you put the needle in. lol. Clear as mud, right?---

    2. Any place that is 'better' to buy sewing machine supplies? Micheal's had one generic brand of bobbins & needles. The needles worked and the bobbin didn't.---What about at J's since they are a fabric store or maybe a Walmart OR a specialty fabric store---
    3. What is a bobbin and why do I need it? I am really confused by that one!! LOL!---The bobbin is for the bottm part of the stich where the top and bottom stitches "weld", LOL.--
    Maybe somebody else can explain better, I do not mean to confuse you. Oh!---Also, plain with the tension ( the wheel that has numbers and you thread around it) it makes the stitches better (looser or tighter).

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