Getting Started

M

MrsB

Pursuit Driver
So, I want to learn to sew. I know nothing about - MrB almost threw me a party a couple of weeks ago when I sewed a button back on his kahkis and it didn't fall off while he was at work.

Domestic goddess I am not.

I also want to learn to crochet or knit. I am loving these cute little baby hats and the scarves people are making nowdays.

So, where do I start? What is a good, lower priced starter sewing machine?I don't want to spend a lot since I may hate sewing and the thing may end up in a yard sale. But, if I like it, will hold up nicely for awhile until I know what I am doing and what to look for in a machine?

AND, what about those knitting or crocheting starter kits they sale at Michaels? Are those worth a darn? And wich one is easier and uses the bigger needles? Crochet or knit? LOL
 
yeah, I can't help ya... you are talking to a chick who super glued a button on their daughters shirt
 
sadie612 said:
yeah, I can't help ya... you are talking to a chick who super glued a button on their daughters shirt
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LOL That is SUCH a good idea! I wish I'd thought of that all those times I tried to sew buttons back on and it just didn't work.

hahaha
 
MrsB said:
sadie612 said:
yeah, I can't help ya... you are talking to a chick who super glued a button on their daughters shirt
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LOL That is SUCH a good idea! I wish I'd thought of that all those times I tried to sew buttons back on and it just didn't work.

hahaha
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If you need anything himmed ( how do you spell that word) I use duct tape

but the button wasnt gonna be buttoned it was just to look purdy so why not...lol

I learned 2 years ago how to do a button but I am not good at it. My hubby is the sewer here
 
sadie612 said:
MrsB said:
sadie612 said:
yeah, I can't help ya... you are talking to a chick who super glued a button on their daughters shirt
Click to expand...
LOL That is SUCH a good idea! I wish I'd thought of that all those times I tried to sew buttons back on and it just didn't work.

hahaha
Click to expand...

If you need anything himmed ( how do you spell that word) I use duct tape

but the button wasnt gonna be buttoned it was just to look purdy so why not...lol

I learned 2 years ago how to do a button but I am not good at it. My hubby is the sewer here
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It's hemmed, I think. lol

And I have used double sided tape. And if taht doesn't work I UPS it to my Aunt in Clarksville, TN. LOL
 
They actually make a special tape and a special glue for sewing. Check out the fabric stores. It can be washed and dried and isn't stiff. :p
 
newsjunky said:
They actually make a special tape and a special glue for sewing. Check out the fabric stores. It can be washed and dried and isn't stiff. :p
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LOL, does it say made just for MrsB on the package? lol

I do want to learn, though. I would like to be able to make stuff. I should be able to do things like this, ya know, southern things. I can't can, can't grow veggies, can't sew....
 
MrsB said:
newsjunky said:
They actually make a special tape and a special glue for sewing. Check out the fabric stores. It can be washed and dried and isn't stiff. :p
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LOL, does it say made just for MrsB on the package? lol

I do want to learn, though. I would like to be able to make stuff. I should be able to do things like this, ya know, southern things. I can't can, can't grow veggies, can't sew....
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BUT, I am an awsome cook if I do say so myself. :) At least I got that going for me, right? lol
 
I was taught how to knit when I was young and then forgot, but then a friend of mine re-taught me. One of my favorite sites for help with that is http://www.knittinghelp.com/ . It has videos where she shows you step by step.
 
MamaHog said:
I was taught how to knit when I was young and then forgot, but then a friend of mine re-taught me. One of my favorite sites for help with that is http://www.knittinghelp.com/ . It has videos where she shows you step by step.
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Thank you!! This is perfect!
 
Laugh at me also cause I am not a good crafty one either. I took two classes in high school and thats about it. I made pj pants and fabric bags and thats about it. I can use the sewing machine if I HAD to but usually send it to my MIL or Hubby figures it out haha
 
I'm about to give myself a pretty serious lesson in sewing. I was insane enough to agree to make a replacement bimini top for a friend's boat. The old one arrived in the mail today for me to get a good look at and make my final decision if I am willing to try it or not. If y'all don't see or hear from me for a while, this may be the reason. WTH was I thinking??? Assuming I do go ahead with this, I'll need to take a bunch of pictures of this old one, a bunch of measurements and notations, then take it apart to use as pattern pieces. Then I have to hope like h-e-double hockey sticks that I can get all of the new pieces together properly and hope it fits right when he tries to put it on his boat. No easy modifications can be made since he and his boat are in the Florida Keys. :eek:

Why do I do things like this to myself?

If I survive this maybe I'll consider teaching pillows 101. :)) :))
 
unionmom said:
I'm about to give myself a pretty serious lesson in sewing. I was insane enough to agree to make a replacement bimini top for a friend's boat. The old one arrived in the mail today for me to get a good look at and make my final decision if I am willing to try it or not. If y'all don't see or hear from me for a while, this may be the reason. WTH was I thinking??? Assuming I do go ahead with this, I'll need to take a bunch of pictures of this old one, a bunch of measurements and notations, then take it apart to use as pattern pieces. Then I have to hope like h-e-double hockey sticks that I can get all of the new pieces together properly and hope it fits right when he tries to put it on his boat. No easy modifications can be made since he and his boat are in the Florida Keys. :eek:

Why do I do things like this to myself?

If I survive this maybe I'll consider teaching pillows 101. :)) :))
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Weeeeelllllllllll, lets make a deal. :) You get that Bimini top done, and I will be more than happy to deliver it for you. I know you will be tired and stuff, so I don't mind AT ALL go run down to Key West and make a delivery for you, lol.
 
WELL, missies, I can help y'all out. Sewing and crocheting are both easy peasy lemon squeezie as long as you go slow and read the directions well. (I do not knit, so I cannot comment on that.) I can sew just about anything, but I generally only sew decorating stuff these days (curtains and the like). Walmart or Hobby Lobby or Michael's should have sewing machines for you to look at. I use my mother's Singer which is older than I am. :) I did a quick check on Amazon, and they have a good basic Singer (8 different stitches) for under $80. I personally would stick with Singer because they are so reputable, but I'm sure others would be good as well.

Crocheting is SOOOO easy. You just have to learn half a dozen different little stitches, and then pretty much every other garment is made by combining hundreds of those different stitches into a scarf or hat or afghan or whatever. Again, the same three stores will have needles and yarn (but trust me - Michael's and Hobby Lobby have WAY YONDER better selection than Walmart in this area). There's some GREAT crochet sites out there; my favorite is ravelry.com. They have THOUSANDS of free patterns (and just as many that you can buy), and you can download them and get started right away. I have made some very chic scarves and fingerless gloves in the past few months by some of those patterns. They have patterns for men, women, kids, babies, home decor, you name it. Oh, and they have some FANTASTIC yarns available these days...colors and textures galore, and many of them washable without shrinking. One other GREAT resource for crocheting (and learning how to) is YouTube. Just do a search and you'll get more videos than you can shake a stick at, and they are very good.

PM me if you have any other questions.
 
Well, look at those hidden talents of Mei Lan! Impressive. (I won't get a bullet from you for a few days now, will I?)
 
MrsB said:
Weeeeelllllllllll, lets make a deal. :) You get that Bimini top done, and I will be more than happy to deliver it for you. I know you will be tired and stuff, so I don't mind AT ALL go run down to Key West and make a delivery for you, lol.
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Look at you, giving til it hurts. Wow. But I would never dream of putting you out like that.
 
Madea said:
Well, look at those hidden talents of Mei Lan! Impressive. (I won't get a bullet from you for a few days now, will I?)
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heh OK, since you begged so nicely (and fawned a little bit), no bullets for a few days. :D
 
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