Thursday, October 22, 2015
Tuesday, October 20, 2015
Apologies.
Up until this Friday I was experiencing a constant struggle with threading the bobbin in my sewing machine. My parents had gone away for most of the weekend and my Mom's friend had been asked to take me to go get something to eat. When we got back to the house I asked her to help me take a look at it, I was prepared to show her the tutorial videos, the instruction booklet, everything, in case I had missed something. Upon her request I showed her what I understood of bobbin placement thus far, and 'miraculously' it worked. We joked that it was her presence that caused the process to finally succeed, I honestly just wished there was a way I could strangle a sewing machine.
When she left I started working on a project that my Mom asked me to do. My Mother asked me to create some flags that could be hung to use as a signal system for how out of hand my room was getting. I got to choose the colors and then I went out and got the fabrics standard yadda yadda. I cut out a shape I thought would work, I decided I didn't want to bother with cutting out a triangular pattern, so I just tore out a rectangle. Now understand that though saying I "tore" it out is technically an exaggeration it isn't too far from the truth given the scissors I had to use were my parents kitchen shears.
I would like to particularly apologize to you dear readers, because I am unused to recording my exploits in general, I managed to completely forget to take a proper number of pictures during my first true adventures in sewing. I do however still have my amazing failure of a finished product.
I used a random chopstick from the drainboard in the kitchen to show the space where I'm supposed to thread a string through it so it'll hang properly from a hook, or whatever my Mother has in mind.
After I finished that first flag I got insanely bored, but wanted to do more sewing. As a result I decided to start working on a plushy pattern I found online. It was a little adventurous for my skill level, but I was determined. So I printed it out on a piece of paper, I plan to make another one so I can out line for you what exactly I did. For now though here's the pattern I used:
When she left I started working on a project that my Mom asked me to do. My Mother asked me to create some flags that could be hung to use as a signal system for how out of hand my room was getting. I got to choose the colors and then I went out and got the fabrics standard yadda yadda. I cut out a shape I thought would work, I decided I didn't want to bother with cutting out a triangular pattern, so I just tore out a rectangle. Now understand that though saying I "tore" it out is technically an exaggeration it isn't too far from the truth given the scissors I had to use were my parents kitchen shears.
I would like to particularly apologize to you dear readers, because I am unused to recording my exploits in general, I managed to completely forget to take a proper number of pictures during my first true adventures in sewing. I do however still have my amazing failure of a finished product.
I used a random chopstick from the drainboard in the kitchen to show the space where I'm supposed to thread a string through it so it'll hang properly from a hook, or whatever my Mother has in mind.
After I finished that first flag I got insanely bored, but wanted to do more sewing. As a result I decided to start working on a plushy pattern I found online. It was a little adventurous for my skill level, but I was determined. So I printed it out on a piece of paper, I plan to make another one so I can out line for you what exactly I did. For now though here's the pattern I used:
I managed to use the machine to sew the two back pieces, and the forehead together (all three pieces shown in black). I also managed to machine sew the two jaw pieces together (the white shape that says X2 on it). By the time I finished that I had a huge mess of loose strings hanging all over the place, so I grabbed a small sewing needle and a bit of pink thread, and sewed the jaw onto the rest of the head by hand. I feel a bit disappointed about that actually. I had so hoped to get it all done by machine until the hole for the stuffing needed to be sewed shut.
Here's my progress from the inside:
Here's what the head should look like stuffed:
I'm a little worried I might have screwed up the neck a bit. Next time when I go over the project fully I'll just use that as the stuffing hole, it'll be easier to manage that way. I wish I knew how to do that thing where the two loops wrap around each other at the end of the fabric, it would make this so much easier. Unfortunately I feel determined to do it with the standard straight stitch, which is the only stitch I really know how to do at the moment.
I hope to post more photos of other projects I would like to outline and complete for you, for the time being please bear with me as I try to get the hang of both blogging and sewing.
Sunday, October 11, 2015
The First 10 Minutes
Well... I opened the box with my first sewing machine in it. It's a Singer 9960 my Mom bought me off amazon. Before I could open it my Mother required that I watch a tutorial off Youtube, here's a link in case anybody is interested:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1JVYWJkIeyI&feature=em-share_video_user
So I watched it plus the 2nd video, and then promptly went to examine what the machine came with, look at all the doohickies and moving parts. That's when I did something that I good people basically NEVER do. I began not only reading the instruction manual, but I even read through the warnings on the inside front cover. There wasn't quite enough light to see all the parts so I attempted to turn on the light behind me, the bulb was broken so I used the light from the lamp on the other side of the room instead.
At this point having read all of the basic, what it comes with, what the parts are, stuff like that; I decided I'd try to turn the machine on. I plugged the chord into the machine then the outlet, and flipped the switch. NOTHING.
I try all of the standard stuff the cable guy will tell you over the phone when your box is malfunctioning. Nothing will seem to make the machine work. I was about ready to throw something. I'd even tried plugging in the foot pedal, even though it specifically said on multiple websites I looked at that the foot pedal wasn't required. Feeling mildly defeated I referenced the manual again, going to the problems solution chart in the back. The only thing it told me that I didn't already do was that I had my foot pedal up. Although I also learned that the spindle thing for the bobbin couldn't be moved to the right, but that was irrelevant given I hadn't moved it from it's leftwards locked position.
After an ungodly amount of time failing completely to even turn on the machine, I had a sudden realization related to the assumption I made which you can see if you scroll to look at the last sentence of the paragraph bellow the youtube link. After slightly panicking and completely failing to turn on my sewing machine I realized, that the outlet was busted. THE OUTLET!! Now if you don't mind, I'm going to go re-watch that freaking video, so I can thread this bobbin properly.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1JVYWJkIeyI&feature=em-share_video_user
So I watched it plus the 2nd video, and then promptly went to examine what the machine came with, look at all the doohickies and moving parts. That's when I did something that I good people basically NEVER do. I began not only reading the instruction manual, but I even read through the warnings on the inside front cover. There wasn't quite enough light to see all the parts so I attempted to turn on the light behind me, the bulb was broken so I used the light from the lamp on the other side of the room instead.
At this point having read all of the basic, what it comes with, what the parts are, stuff like that; I decided I'd try to turn the machine on. I plugged the chord into the machine then the outlet, and flipped the switch. NOTHING.
I try all of the standard stuff the cable guy will tell you over the phone when your box is malfunctioning. Nothing will seem to make the machine work. I was about ready to throw something. I'd even tried plugging in the foot pedal, even though it specifically said on multiple websites I looked at that the foot pedal wasn't required. Feeling mildly defeated I referenced the manual again, going to the problems solution chart in the back. The only thing it told me that I didn't already do was that I had my foot pedal up. Although I also learned that the spindle thing for the bobbin couldn't be moved to the right, but that was irrelevant given I hadn't moved it from it's leftwards locked position.
After an ungodly amount of time failing completely to even turn on the machine, I had a sudden realization related to the assumption I made which you can see if you scroll to look at the last sentence of the paragraph bellow the youtube link. After slightly panicking and completely failing to turn on my sewing machine I realized, that the outlet was busted. THE OUTLET!! Now if you don't mind, I'm going to go re-watch that freaking video, so I can thread this bobbin properly.
Hello and Welcome
This blog will be both the recording of my progression in learning to use a sewing machine, and hopefully I can also teach you (my reader) a thing or two. Now as to why I decided to start this little venture, at my high school graduation requirements are exceedingly complicated (mainly for the students). In order for me to get through high school I need to fill requirements for certain projects, one of these is the technology project. My unbridled love of creating things is what helped me to decide that this sewing blog would be the best bet.
Why would I learn something from you when you're just starting out?
I have an extremely independent spirit, I refuse to use most of the patterns laid out for me (I say most just in case there's something extremely cool I decide to try). I instead take a different approach, and much like Doctor Frankenstein, using the cast aside pieces of patterns to create an entirely different garment that reaches through from the recesses of my creative mind! cue maniacal laughter. So in short, I have a lot of cool ideas that you too can try to put into practice. Fair warning the first one or two posts might be a little boring, but once I master the skills necessary my imagination made real will rock your faces off! (Hopefully)
Once you get a handle of using a sewing machine what do you plan to use to, "Rock my faces off!"?
I pull lots of inspiration from niche styles that you wouldn't normally see just walking down even the busiest city street. I'm talking what I like to call, "convention wear" the kind of stuff that sits dusty in your closet till Comic-Con! That corset that you only pull out for the renaissance fair! That all black thing you only wear to hang out with your goth buddies! That extremely old dress your great grandmother wore in 1875 that you love but don't know what to do with! Cosplay, historical, goth, modernized vintage, steampunk, and even occasionally something else! All places where I get my ideas. In fact I have devoted my Polyvore account to showing people how these such pieces can be used to dress for everyday occasions, not just those special moments when you're truly encouraged to let your freak flag fly!
You sound pretty passionate about your message on the regular use of, "convention wear" why aren't you using this blog to teach others how to put that into practice or something like that?
Because if I did that not only would I have no clue where to start, but I wouldn't be able to make any of the design sketches I've done over the years a reality. Also, a blog all about convention wear in every day life would most likely end up becoming a giant somewhat repetitive rant about the injustice and intolerance of society. Not only does no one want to read that, but I'd get beyond bored writing it.
An extra note to keep in mind as you follow my postings
If I at any point do something dumb, wrong, awesome, or grammatically incorrect please feel free to leave a comment informing me. I don't bite, and if I don't like your advice, I'll thank you for your input and promptly not take it. Please also leave a comment if you would like me to cover more of a certain topic, style, or whatever you just want to see more of! I'd love to make this a more enjoyable experience all around! If you feel the need you could even leave a comment just to tell me I'm a "dirty hippie!" or an "out of touch colorblind ostrich!" although the second one sounds a little bit really stupid and poorly thought out. I'm here to learn (yes that sounds really dorky), have fun, and to some extent provide a service to my readers. That service is to write as entertaining a blog as possible.
Thank You!
Why would I learn something from you when you're just starting out?
I have an extremely independent spirit, I refuse to use most of the patterns laid out for me (I say most just in case there's something extremely cool I decide to try). I instead take a different approach, and much like Doctor Frankenstein, using the cast aside pieces of patterns to create an entirely different garment that reaches through from the recesses of my creative mind! cue maniacal laughter. So in short, I have a lot of cool ideas that you too can try to put into practice. Fair warning the first one or two posts might be a little boring, but once I master the skills necessary my imagination made real will rock your faces off! (Hopefully)
Once you get a handle of using a sewing machine what do you plan to use to, "Rock my faces off!"?
I pull lots of inspiration from niche styles that you wouldn't normally see just walking down even the busiest city street. I'm talking what I like to call, "convention wear" the kind of stuff that sits dusty in your closet till Comic-Con! That corset that you only pull out for the renaissance fair! That all black thing you only wear to hang out with your goth buddies! That extremely old dress your great grandmother wore in 1875 that you love but don't know what to do with! Cosplay, historical, goth, modernized vintage, steampunk, and even occasionally something else! All places where I get my ideas. In fact I have devoted my Polyvore account to showing people how these such pieces can be used to dress for everyday occasions, not just those special moments when you're truly encouraged to let your freak flag fly!
You sound pretty passionate about your message on the regular use of, "convention wear" why aren't you using this blog to teach others how to put that into practice or something like that?
Because if I did that not only would I have no clue where to start, but I wouldn't be able to make any of the design sketches I've done over the years a reality. Also, a blog all about convention wear in every day life would most likely end up becoming a giant somewhat repetitive rant about the injustice and intolerance of society. Not only does no one want to read that, but I'd get beyond bored writing it.
An extra note to keep in mind as you follow my postings
If I at any point do something dumb, wrong, awesome, or grammatically incorrect please feel free to leave a comment informing me. I don't bite, and if I don't like your advice, I'll thank you for your input and promptly not take it. Please also leave a comment if you would like me to cover more of a certain topic, style, or whatever you just want to see more of! I'd love to make this a more enjoyable experience all around! If you feel the need you could even leave a comment just to tell me I'm a "dirty hippie!" or an "out of touch colorblind ostrich!" although the second one sounds a little bit really stupid and poorly thought out. I'm here to learn (yes that sounds really dorky), have fun, and to some extent provide a service to my readers. That service is to write as entertaining a blog as possible.
Thank You!
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