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Sew Crafty Friday ~ It’s a shirt, it’s a dress…
First I want to thank all of you who gave me advice and commented on my last Sew Crafty Friday post. I do plan on finishing the skirt, but I might wait until summer time, when it gets too hot to be outside. Right now we are enjoying temperatures above 50 degrees.
This week I made what was supposed to be a dress for my two year old. I have had this fabric since my 13 year old was 3. I had hoped to make her an Easter outfit years ago, but there was a small problem, I didn’t know how to sew. Anyway, I saved this fabric for 10 years and through 3 boys until I finally remembered it was under my bed last Friday. I pulled it out during the little girls’ nap time and made this dress. Since it was nap time, I didn’t get to measure my two year old so the dress ended up being pretty short and a little too big in the top.
Sorry for the side view, she did not want to face me, I think I made her nervous putting her on the counter.
But it fit my four year old great as a shirt! See, I knew there was benefit to having a bunch of kids.
I do have a bit of a dilemma that maybe all you crafters can help me with. I have a Singer sewing machine that is about 15 years old. I took it in to the repair shop because it was out of time, and when I got it back the tension was all messed up. I took it back again and it seemed like it was fixed, but now I am having tension problems again. It is either so tight you can’t pull the thread or so loose it won’t even sew.
I don’t want to take it back to the same place because I think they messed up the tension to begin with. Do I find another repair shop, do I get a new machine? If I get a new one, what should I be looking for? I don’t quilt (although I would like to learn), I sew clothes, pillows, and purses for the most part.
For those of you who spent the big bucks on a machine, do you think it was worth it? Any input is greatly appreciated.
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Filed under: Crafts, Homemaking, Kids, My life
If you live in a large enough area that would allow more than one sewing machine repair shop I’d take it to someone else. If that isn’t an option see if there are any accomplished sewers at church, at the community college, at the local quilting club, etc. that may be able to help you.
I wouldn’t buy a new machine unless you’re certain that this one is blown. If a new machine is in order you probably won’t need one with a lot of bells and whistles–if you’re not going to do things like quilting and embroidery.
If you’re a member of Consumer Reports online you can get their reviews of sewing machines. Consumer Research may also have reviews. I remember going to PatternReview.com to see what sewers had to say about machines before I bought my next one. You may have to become a member there, but it’s free.
Hope you don’t have too much trouble figuring it out!
I think the dress / top looks cute on both of them.
That is the SAME Easter fabric that I have had for YEARS too! That is too funny!
I love the way your dress/shirt turned out! It looks great! Makes me what to get that fabric used up too!
Your girlies are C.U.T.E!!!
I remember that fabric being our years ago, also. Too cute and multi purpose to boot. LOL
I had the same problem with my machine. I took it to the only repair shop in town and he was wonderful. The bobbin carriage had to be replaced and lucky for me he had extra parts in the store and repaired it for free. Maybe that’s the same problem with yours. If you could afford it, I would definately try another shop. Your current repairman may not be skilled enough yet to figure out the problem.
Good Luck. I can so relate to the frustration.
I love the dress/shirt. So cute!! I am a new sewer too. Sorry I have no advise on the tension thing. I’d be having trouble with it too. Do you have a manual for your machine? Would that give you any tips?
I don’t think the dress is too short for a young child. But I really, really love it as a top for your four year old! You should use the pattern and make her a few more cute tops like that for the summer.
Next time you make a dress (and it won’t work as a shirt), you can always lengthen it with a wide ruffle around the bottom!
Regarding machines–if you can afford one, there are so many wonderful machines now that it might be time to replace the old dinosaur. I have a simple Kenmore these days. It does buttons and buttonholes, and has about 20 different stitches–nothing fancy. Years ago, I had a Janome Memory Craft that cost about $3,000 (that was back when I actually had money, LOL). It was computerized, had 179 different stitches–plus an attachment for embroidery. You could even design your own embroidery, which you’d scan into the machine. I ran that baby into the ground, sewing some thing for my boys but mostly making ooey-gooey girly stuff for my daughter. It was worth every penny I paid for it. This is how my sister described it: “You press a button that says “christening gown” and one comes out the other end.”
When it died, I stopped sewing for a long time. I only recently got back into again. But now that my kids are grown, I didn’t need the fancy stitches. So when I asked for a new machine, I said the biggest criteria is that it does automatic buttonholes. And so far, I’m enjoying the simpliclity of it.
I guess if you are looking for a machine, you have to think what you’re using it for. You have daughters, and with all the gorgeous fabric and patterns out there, I’d go for a really nice machine. It will pay for itself. However, ask yourself if you really need a machine that embroiders little rows of ducklings, and take it from there.
You did a great job!
Have a wonderful day!
Karen
http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/salt
http://www.homesteadblogger.com/tagblog
I don’t know for sure; but I was thinking a Singer from 15 years ago would probably be better then a new Singer. Everything just keeps getting cheaper made you know? I would try to find a good repairman. As far as expensive, I have always wanted one of those; but I probably won’t get one till my kids are grown and my biggest reason for sewing with them… I love the shirt/dress by the way! It looks great as a shirt! Have a blessed weekend.
That made an adorable shirt! I love it. I need to learn how to sew, I wish I could make stuff like that.
What a beautiful outfit and your daughter is beautiful too.
That is the cutest pattern and you did a really nice job!
Wish I had some advice on the sewing machine, but mine is a 15 year old Singer that seems to have occasional tension problems itself. Good luck.
Oh I have always loved that material! WOW! that is so cool!
As for the machine, mine is that old, but it was an expensive new fangled machine at the time. I love it, but what I love most is the push button start and stop button instead of the foot peddles. As I got older and arthritis moved in I didn’t realize how wonderful it was until I used my daughter’s foot peddle one a while back teaching her girls. Mine is so easy for teaching them and they don’t accidentally gun the machine.
Your dress/shirt looks beautiful on both the girls.
Because of Jesus, Bobbie
I would recommend taking it to another repair shop to see if it can be repaired.
But if you end up needing to purchase a new one… remember that a higher price doesn’t not necessary mean a better machine. For example, in February, after much research, I purchased a new Singer sewing machine. The basic model was $199. The prices went up from there in increments of $100. But they were all the same base machine (as in the insides, motor, etc.) What those extra $100 increments bought you were more stitches and button hole options. After careful consideration, I decided that for the type of sewing I do, the most expensive machine would be a waste of money because there was no way I would ever use all those extra stitches. But on the other hand, I wanted more than the $199 machine offered. So I chose the $399 model. It still has way more stitches than I’ll probably ever use, but it offered some stitches and button hole options that I decided were worth that extra money.
This new machine did take some getting used to because I’ve always sewed with a mechanical machine whereas the new one is an electronic model. But I the more I use it, the more I’m liking it.
Oh man…I love it as a shirt! Great idea. It’s adorable!
So you were the one to thank for the purse idea! I couldn’t remember. It worked great, just as you described! Thanks!
really cute dress/shirt, i love them…
nice job!
You are a talented woman! The shirt/dress is adorable.
Do you have a sewing shop that gives classes? they may be able to recommend a trusted business to fix your maching. Hope you find someone soon!
Have a great weekend!
AHHHHH that is soooooo cute. I am very happy that it fit “one” of your dd’s and the two yo will get to wear it in the future. [0; Thank you for S&T this. I am a challenged sewer so I am VERY impressed. GOOD JOB.
Blessings and ((hugs)) my SSiC
In Him<
-Mary
You did a great job!
Have you tried changing the needle? Sometimes a new needle will help with tension problems.
I assume you checked that your bobbin and thread are correctly positioned.