Stitch by Stitch

From memory, I sent Missy in for her service at the end of January coz I remembered that the warranty would soon expiry. O, if you didn’t know, I’ve since named my machine Missy. How I came about this name is still a mystery to me but it’s just that when I got her back, I announced it on FB and when I typed it out, the name just came to be. It said, “YAY!!! Missy’s home!!”. And that’s how she got her name.

Anyway, since she went in, DH had happily set up his laptop in Missy’s place and was having fun with his new-found space coz the girls couldn’t reach it and he didn’t have to muck around setting it up everything he wanted to use it which was quite often since he’s home everyday with the girls while I’m at work. So he’s been working on his game and mod whenever he get a chance. Pretty much what I do when I’m sewing. I sneak in a couple of seams throughout the day when I can. And people think I just sit and sew the whole day, and do nothing else! What world do they think I live in?? *lol* If I had a maid to clean the house and get all the meals ready, you bet I’d be sitting and sewing the whole day. Sadly, in my world this is impossible.

And now that I’m working full time : Monday to Friday, 10 to 6pm….sewing has seriously taken a backseat! Even after Missy came back, DH hadn’t really put his laptop away and I knew that with me working, I wouldn’t really be into it. So Missy sat in the box for awhile coz my sewjo had gone walkabout anyway. But only recently did my sewjo come back coz I’ve been meaning to sew up some tshirts for KR as well as some summer dresses for Arianna. I will have to start now coz we will be heading off to Malaysia in May and that is not long from now seeing that I don’t really sew fast. Also, I’m looking forward to sewing a Mei Tai as well. I’ve got the fabric that I need and even got me some sling rings too! J I might give the Omnibohu a try as well. I will have to decide which one I want coz the fabric is only enough for one.

Anyhow, I finally set Missy up last night after DH packed his stuff up so I have already cut out 3 tshirts and a girly one as well. I’ve only done part of the first tshirt and I already noticed ONE mistake. I cut it on the wrong grain!!!! Aarrrggghhhh….pisses me off when I do silly mistakes like that. It’s something I should NEVER be doing since I’ve been sewing for almost a year now. Silly, silly me!!! O well, what can you do, eh? Thankfully, the shirt is a little big so it won’t be tight on her just yet. So I’m just waiting for time to go home so that after the kids are gone to bed, I can sew and relax. Really looking forward to getting back on the horse!

Back from the store!! I guess I’ll have to take back some of the harsh things I said abt that shop. I think they are just better to customers on a face to face basis as compared to phone service. When I got there, I told them abt the pedal and asked to send the machine for service. Told them too that it was still under warranty and that I didnt have the receipt. First they said no can do, but somehow one of them decided to go the extra mile and started looking up the final payment receipt coz we [dh n I] showed her the CC statement. Perhaps that bit of prove that was the one which made them put in the extra effort. so yes….the machine is in for service and here’s hoping that I will get my machine back soon.

Now…I hardly even blinked when dh told me to set up his laptop where my SM used to sit. Apparently that was him being cheeky so I told him not to get to comfy coz it IS coming back!

I’ve been putting off sewing other than cotton for awhile now all because I am a little intimidated by it as well as I’ve heard that it can be tough to sew. On top of that, this coming from my mum who has had upteen years of sewing experience, I find it really daunting! But I am glad that I finally took the plunge and went for it anyway.

Although it was different to sewing cotton or poplin, I didn’t think it was that bad hence, it’s true when people tell me ‘you won’t know for sure till you try’ and I did. I’m glad I didn’t put it off any longer. On top of that, it was also my first time trying to use ribbing as well as doing gathers!! For me, these are personal achievements which mean a lot to me since I am a newbie.

I didn’t read the instruction on how to do gathers but instead, I had flashbacks and images in my mind as I reminisce the times when mum used to sew and I remembered bits of this and that, and on how she did it. So I put 2 and 2 together, add a bit of common sense and voila, my gathers came together! I am one VERY VERY happy mommy!!!

My latest dress which by far is the one I am most proud of, on a personal level. Only because after 2 failed attempts of making a dress for Arianna, this one finally worked out! [I am hopeless is measuring!!!] Also, this is my first time using ribbing [that red bit around the neck and armhole], first time using knit fabric [stretchy fabric] and most importantly, my gathers actually came through!! So yes, this is really a great achievement for me on a personal level. I am very proud of this dress.

Arianna modelling for me. I think she’s gotten used to the idea of me making her try on stuff coz as soon as she sees a new outfit or some piece of cloth that I’m holding, she comes to me and stands relatively long enough for me to see if it fits. Smart girl!

Lil Miss Lady Bug

Can’t say much about this dress except that when I first finished it, it was too loose on Arianna and then I ‘cleverly’ though I’d bring this bit in and that bit in, and then it became too small. *sigh* It’s apparently going to be Pacman’s now. *lol* Poor Arianna, I’m glad the dress above suited her well! Now everyone is happy. Fabric type is cotton.

Yiippeee….I took the plunge and bought a sewing machine!!

Specifications
50 Stitch Patterns
2 Digit LED Stitch Pattern Indicator
Auto-lock
Lock-A-Matic Stitch
Adjustable Stitch Width from 0 to 7 mm
Adjustable Stitch Length from 0 to 5 mm
Buttonhole System: One-step Sensor Type Automatic 3 Styles
External Feed Balancing Dial
SFS (Superior Feed System)
Box Feed System
Drop Feed System
Automatic Tension
Horizontal Thread Delivery
Lay-in Threading with Numbered Paths
2 Different Sized Thread Caps
Built-in Needle Threader
One Hand Thread Cutter
Snap-On Feet
Conveniently Located Reverse Button
Electronic Foot Control
Speed Control Lever
Failsafe Device: Electronic Beep
Jam Proof, Magnetic, Top Loading, Full Rotary Bobbin System
Auto Declutch Bobbin Winding
See Through Bobbin Cover with One Touch Release Button
Extra High Presser Foot Life for Extra Clearance
15 Needle Positions
Free Arm Removable Accessory Tray
Needle Stop “Up”
Memorized Needle Up/Down Key
Retractable Carrying Handle
Machine Weight: 18.2 lbs (8.2 kg)
Front Position Halogen Lightbulb
DC Motor
Sculpture Stitch (2 Lengths)
Bi-directional Blanket Stitch
24 Heirloom Stitches
6 Satin Decorative Stitches
Star Stitch

Sounds really dahsyat right? Well, I think it is. I did try it out and was quite happy about how it was working. It was the last one and it was one of the models which was selling like hot cakes when it first arrived in December. It was also going to AU399, same as the one I previously mentioned but this is computerised and well, has more functions than I could use in a lifetime! So I am really looking forward to sewing my own doona covers, bedsheets, curtains, tableclothe…you name it, I’ll try it!

This is Ted’s Valentine’s Day pressie to me and I’m so happy he asked me if he could buy it for me instead of getting me a surprise pressie coz this was definitely a better idea! See, it’s not all that bad when you ask someone what they want as a pressie, that way, both parties win. You get something you want and the person who bought it will be happy that he/she got you something that you wanted!

Ps. This was the model which was being used as the demo model and I did ask for a bargain but apparently, they don’t entertain any bargains. She did mention that many people ask and they should coz who knows right? So since I couldn’t get any discount from them, I won’t bother asking for any freebies la. Quite apparent I won’t be getting anything! *lol* But I’m just happy with this purchase. Just can’t wait to get to work now!!! *dancing dancing dancing*