Right now, I am a bit enchanted with sewing. I’m making a stuffed dinosaur for my nine year old son. When I looked at the pattern, it didn’t really register with me how big this guy was going to be.
Wow.
Here is my progress so far:
Weekend one: Cut out the critter.
Weekend two: Did all of the machine sewing. I have very little experience with a sewing machine. I don’t remember doing much sewing as a girl. The first memory that I really have of using a sewing machine is when I was in my late twenties. I had decided to make curtains for my baby’s nursery. At the time, I was working as an engineer and I remember laying the pattern on the fabric and thinking “Huh. This is just like doing a sheet metal drawing. How hard can it be?” I think that I was on to something — I still like figuring out how the pieces are going to go together. The part that is hard for me is making everything look neat and smooth. That is why I like the idea of making stuffed animals – no perfectionism required. This is only my second attempt at an animal. My first one actually came out quite good, but I can’t find a picture (or the animal) right now.
Two years ago, I got involved in making a quilt for a class project. I opened up my home to a group of ladies who really know how to sew. They brought their machines over and together we made a quilt.I was mostly in charge of food and beverages, but I learned a lot from them and it was a great time.
Back to the dinosaur. The only problem that I had was that the bobbin thread kept bunching up. A new needle fixed that. Yeah.
By the end of the second weekend, I had realized that most of this project is going to involve hand sewing. I have some experience with embroidery and cross-stitch, so I am fine with hand sewing. But it is certainly slow going.
One cool thing about this dinosaur is that the legs and the neck will have wire in them. You bind the wire with fabric and thread. Leg parts:
Even if you use a pattern, there are still lots of things that you have to figure out on your own. I had to puzzle over how I was going to do these legs for a long time. Seam rippers are my friend. I now have one leg almost done and I’m reasonable happy with it.
It’s not just about the sewing. It’s about remembering the jean jacket that I embroidered when I was twelve, the weekend making the quilt, a bat costume that I made once for a six-year old child (but he hated it and that was the end of homemade costumes for me!), and the promise that a nursery holds.
Do you sew? Do you have any memorable (good or bad!) experiences with a sewing machine?
Knitting, crocheting, needlepoint, embroidery… do any of these handcrafts stir up any memories?
How do you feel about homemade things in general? Are they extra-special or are they second-rate?
{ 4 comments… read them below or add one }
It’s lookin’ good so far, Jayne! I loved the little monster guy you made a while back, too.
I took a 4-H sewing class as a teenager and thought I knew the basics of sewing even thought I haven’t done much since then. So I found a machine for a great price on a Black Friday sale and grabbed it. I have attempted a couple of sewing projects with it since then–mainly patches on a cub scout uniform–and have failed miserably. The bobbin thread keeps getting knotted up. I’ve tried a couple of troubleshooting tactics to no avail. Do you give lessons?
Do I give lessons? Oh you are funny. Maybe we should take lessons together? That bunching, knotted bobbin thread problem is my #1 frustration with sewing. I’ve tried looking online for solutions, but there doesn’t seem to be a single solution. It’s more like a troubleshooting process. This time, putting in a brand new needle took care of it for me.
I do have one hint for you: research and choose fabrics that are easy to work with. Felt and fleece are great, unless of course you want to make a skirt
As for those Scout patches, go to the Scout store and get the badge-magic stuff. It works and it is easy.
I love to sew but crocheting is my favorite. Right now I’m working on a blanket for the 5K Walk in October. I’m also working on a blanket for my grandson who is do to arrive this weekend. However, like all babies, he’ll get here when he’s ready.
Did you finish the dinosaur?
Earline,
Have I finished the dinosaur? Noooooooo. My mom crochets a lot, but I don’t know how. I don’t think that I have the attention span for an afghan, but I wouldn’t mind making crochet flowers.