Sewing Show & Tell....Thread

Nice. It's amazing how cheap you can buy the commercial sewing machines now. I was looking at them the other day but they just take up way too much room. Plus I doubt I could sew that fast. Lol

I'd love to have a Merrow machine to be able to do patches. Either that or see how small I can get my serger to go.

 

With the Prime deal it was $139! I couldn't afford not to buy it...

 

That is a good deal. I started with a Brother Project Runway edition and killed it in about 5 years. Moved on to a Juki and haven't looked back.

 

I know this sounds weird but Juki uses a box type feed (vs the oval type others use) on all their commercial and home machines. You would think that most machines feel the same way but I could tell a difference the minute I sewed on the Juki. It actually took a bit to get used to it.

I'd really like to get a walking foot and try it out. Anyone here use one? Is there only certain materials it can be used on or all of them?

 

Decided to be productive today and make some curtains for the bedroom. Tired of the sun hitting me every morning when I get up through the blinds.

Mandatory in progress pic.

 

Final hem on the bottom sides. Yup that's 6 layers.





And done! I also straightened out the top after the photo so it looks right.




Ignore the hideous sponge paint job the girl that lived here before did. I'm planning on repainting soon when I get to the bedroom.

 

Nice. I think you'll like the longer hammock, I think I get a better diagonal lay. My hats off to all you guys, very impressive work. I've wanted a machine for some time. My Mom was a awesome seamstress and my Sis does very well also. I just had her do some tree straps for me. Again great work people!!!

 

One more for tonight.

 

I had blinds but that afternoon nap sucked with just blinds, all that light.

 

Read through the thread. Love all the homemade items and how much you guys enjoy sewing. I have never sewed in my life outside of patching my uniforms in the military and making an oversized pillow in middle school home economics (it was lopsided).

Anyways, I am one of those weird people that wakes up one day and decides to learn a new hobby. I have been wanting to make my own backpacking gear for awhile but it seemed a bit overwhelming. I needed some new gear and after pricing it out, decided enough was enough. The cost of a sewing machine would eventually pay itself off.

What machine do you guys suggest I start with? I plan on working with heavy/tough materials. I am not interested in quilting or fancy stitching (nothing against it).

My to do list (or should I say to learn) is:

Stuff sacks/zippered pouches
Tarp shelters
8 man hunting tipi (silnylon)
Thick raw Denim jeans ( been wearing raw denim for 10+ years and I want to make my own pair)
Extra thick down woobie
Sleeping bag
Leather work if possible (for a wallet or belt)

I am currently leaning towards the Jenome HD1000 since it seems like it is built to last and could/should handle all the projects mentioned above.

 

I'll check out the local shop (if there is one) and see what they have. Those are my goals l, I want to crawl before running so a machine that can handle most of those would be awesOME. Then I can upgrade later if I really enjoy it.

 

Do it! Then you can teach me what not to do on a sleeping bag project. Janome HD1000 will do everything you need it to. I've stitched through like 7 or 8 layers of tonneau material without mine slowing down and it does webbing great. A cheaper alternative is the Singer 4432, which I decided against since I felt like it was more of a short term purchase compared to the Janome, .

Stuff sacks and zippered pouches are pretty simple once you get the basic idea. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=en4pScOLZ9E

 

Well I asked my mom for her suggestion on a machine and she told me to ask my grandma about my grandfathers machine. He used to sew leather so I might see if she would ship me his machine.

 

Well, my grandparents had gotten rid of their leather machine log ago. It was intended for sewing boots so that would have been an awesome find for me. Going to order the hd1000 tonight and some gear to get me started. Watched videos on making storage pouches all day and can't wait to get started.

 

Well, backed out of the Janome for now. I went with the singer 4411 despite the scattered reviews. It's a machine I know will need upgraded in a short time period but the low entry cost to get started is nice. I ordered a few yards of ripstop and silnylon to get started. I grabbed some guttermans thread last night as well.

While learning the basics of sewing and how to work with the materials I have, I'll be browsing craigslist for an industrial machine with a long arm. Hoping to find one by Christmas break and make a tipi with all my time off. Just in time for ice fishing.

 

I was going to say you'd probably be better off with an industrial machine for the heavy stuff. I've seen quite a few online with free shipping for around $600 or so with the table and motor.

 

Good plan, the long arm will help a ton for sure. Keep us updated with your projects!

 

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