My Sewing Machine and Giveaway Winners!

Thanks for all the lovely comments and compliments on my little store!

I decided to giveaway the patterns separately to spread the giveaway love!

Dotia was the winner of the Black Sheep, White Sheep pattern!

Melissa was the winner of the Candy Girl quilt pattern!

Congratulations! I will be emailing you ladies today for your mailing addresses.

Sew Mama Sew! is having Sewing Machine month for June, which I am totally excited for. I am looking forward to learning new techniques and about different machines!

Here is a review of my machine (which I love):

What brand and model do you have?

I have a Kenmore 16231

How long have you had it?

A year and a half.

How much does that machine cost (approximately)?

$250 regularly, but you can get it on sale for $200 which it currently is!

http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_02016231000P?vName=Appliances&cName=GarmentCare&sName=Electronic&psid=FROOGLE01&sid=IDx20070921x00003a

What types of things do you sew (i.e. quilting, clothing, handbags, home dec projects, etc.)?

I have made everything on it. I mostly have made clothes and handbags on it, but I am currently finishing up my first quilt, and it is going really well with the help of my handy dandy walking foot.

How much do you sew? How much wear and tear does the machine get?

I sew almost every day from an hour to 6 hours a day! It hasn't let me down yet.

Do you like/love/hate your machine? Are you ambivalent? Passionate? Does she have a name?

I really do love my machine. She doesn't have a name, but I do give her affectionate pats every now and again.

What features does your machine have that work well for you?

It isn't super fancy, but it has a lot stitch options, automatic buttonhole foot, drop in bobbin (I like to be able to tell how much I have left on my bobbin), super sturdy, sews through anything (as long as I am using the appropriate needle :0) ), adjustable needle position, and you can adjust the pressure for the foot. It also has a nice little button for speeding up or slowing down your speed. I like to be able to press my foot all the way down and know that things won't get out of control. I usually put it on a slow speed if I am doing something especially curvy or with slippery fabric. It really helps with accuracy. Ialso like the fact that the accessory feet as reasonably priced for this machine.

Is there anything that drives you nuts about your machine?

I would say that the only thing I have found fiddly about this machine is the buttonhole foot. I always make sure I do a practice one before doing the real one, but it has only caused me real problems once.

Do you have a great story to share about your machine. We want to hear it!

I have totally sewn my finger. In the beginning of my sewing frenzy I was making the Emmeline Apron by Sew Liberated (love this apron!). I was trying to get something just right and ka-pow! My machine made gutteral noises, I screamed for help, and the needle was in my fingernail. It went through my finger, and my husband had to take the needle out. It really was quite gruesome. My finger still doesn't has much feeling in that spot, but at least I have a cute apron!

Would you recommend the machine to others? Why?

I definitely would. This is my first machine. It is easy to figure out how to use for a beginner but has enough options for you to grow into as your sewing improves.

What factors do you think are important to consider when looking for a new machine?

I think this is going to be different for what kind of sewing you want to do, but if you are a beginner sewer than you want something sturdy and easy to figure out. You won't enjoy sewing if you are constantly battling your machine.

Do you have a dream machine?

Nope, not right now. Maybe a fancy Bernina. Maybe. One day.