The Fashionable Lady's Sewing Machine Cover

So, I made another sewing machine cover. This one was for my mom for her birthday. She loved the one I made last month. She had made a skirt out of these fashionable ladies, and I picked up the scraps leftover (I love going through her scraps.) thinking that I would make her a pillow, but then couldn't think of a single place in her where a pillow of this nature would go. So a sewing machine cover it was meant to be.

I fussy cut out a few of these fashion divas and added a simple border around them using some fabrics from Authentic and Freebird. For the main part I used Kona Bone which was the perfect off white . As I was cutting them out I realized what funny little sayings were in there. My favorite: "Everyone says I look so nice." Well, of course, she does! So I cut out a couple of these and then appliqued them on.

Now her machine is elegantly adorned, just as every well loved sewing machine should be.

Lookie, lookie

Here is a peek at my sewing area. It all looks about the same as it did a week ago...except

Wait! Come closer...

This...this is different. Last week I was reading about Lucia's new machine, and I admit I was jealous. I have been eyeing this machine for a year, but it was always too expensive. I didn't realize that Janome had come out with the Horizon and that a lot of people with the 6600P were upgrading. So I thought I would take another peek at Craigslist and up popped this beauty at a great price! It has barely been used because the previous owner didn't like how it sat so high on her sewing table. She decided to get an uber fancy Babylock embroidery machine that she always wanted. Lucky for me!

Look at all these stitches! I admit I have been playing with it all weekend, and sneaking in for five minutes just to try out something else on this machine. So far I am impressed. One of the reasons I wanted this machine was how well it was reviewed by both garment sewers and quilters a like. My Kenmore was doing fine with the clothes I was making, but I found quilting painful. I took a quilting class last summer hoping that it would help, but really my machine just wasn't made to quilt. Free motion quilting was so stressful with all sorts of funky things going on. I was amazed when I practiced free motion quilting on the 6600. It felt so easy. I didn't know it could feel like that! Also, the knee lever and best of all....the automatic thread cutter. Genius.


Anyway, check out patternreview.com if you are on the market for a new machine. There are usually several reviews of all sorts of machines, and a lot of them are really descriptive of what people like and don't like about their sewing machine.

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.