Happy Happy! I finally got a sewing machine!

[Bonny Pearl]

I decided that what I wanted for Mother's Day was a sewing machine.  This morning I went to the kitchen to make coffee and there was a big box all wrapped up with a new Brother SQ-9000 inside it on the kitchen table!  Woo Hoo!  

So now I'm making my list of 'must have' items.  This list is based off of the 'Sewing 101' Simplicity webpages.  I haven't touched a sewing machine since high school (the early 80's) so I will have to teach myself the basics all over again.  With that in mind, what are some simple projects that you all would recommend to a novice?  Pillows, aprons?  Easiest fabric(s) to start with?  What about easy to sew garments?  My hubby refuses to be my guinea pig lol, so I will start with our son and some things for myself.  Can't wait to hit Joann's and get started!  

[gem]

You need a new skirt for Fair.    Cotton broadcloth (in the quilting section). Easy to sew, inexpensive, and available in every color you could possibly want.  Almost any one of the basic Big 3 Ren patterns will have a basic skirt pattern included, and skirts are very forgiving (not a lot of fussy fitting) and will allow you to practice some basic skills (long seams, hemming, pleating or gathering, setting in a waistband).  This one from Simplicity has a good skirt and chemise (Genievea has a beautiful shirt/chemise she made from that pattern).  Don't forget to pre-wash the fabric, and enjoy!!

[Rubiee]

I agree with the cotton broadcloth suggestion for fabric. I also tend to use a lot of muslin in mock-ups and chemises. That can also be found in the quilting section.

Skirts are good, chemises, tops..... I would even say a bodice- because cotton broadcloth is just awesome for so many things!

[Bonny Pearl]

Oooohh I like that outfit very much.  It looks like something I could wear on one of those 'I want to be comfy' days.   

I will go with the cotton broadcloth for sure.

Another question.  I'm 5' 2" and it seems like some altering of patterns might need to be made.  What are the key points to remember when doing something like that? 

[Genievea Brookstone]

I am also 5'2.  I always shorten the patterns at where they say to shorten and then I usually end up cutting an additional 2" or more off the bottom.  I do this last though because it differs from pattern to pattern.  Sometimes with my *natural* bum roll I don't have to shorten that much I do need to shorten the underskirt a bit but I was originally going to wear a slight healed boot, in the photos I am wearing...sigh...hiking boots.

Here are a few pictures of the pattern Gem mentioned:



The bodice has 8 boning channels and I used the heavy duty cable ties. Very simple and comfortable and I didn't need to make any adjustments.

Both the underskirt and over skirt are also very easy and depending on how confident you are you can make the shirt with or without the collar and cuffs.  I did it with, and I put one cuff on wrong lol  I didn't realize it until I did the second. And the placard is hand stitched.

I made the underskirt and shirt in a cotton calico and the bodice and over skirt are out of a flannel because I wanted it for the fall and quite glad I did for in KC that weekend was so cold that between the flannel and the cloak it had kept me nice and warm. The over skirt also has 2 hooks and the bodice has the two eyes to pin the over skirt up. I also have the plaid wrap that goes with it but the cloak was much warmer.

I love this pattern and plan on making a lighter fall version of it.  I think it was really flattering and very comfortable.

[Bonny Pearl]

thanks for the info!  i love that color too! 

[act2redux]

I vote basic skirt- use that to get used to the way your new machine works..
chemise next- you can never have too many of those!
when you have your confidence built up then tackle a new bodice or two.  You can dress a skirt/chemise up or down depending on which fabrics you choose for this- as well as your skill sets coming right along too!

[Bonny Pearl]

So I went and purhased some cloth and have been getting acquainted with my machine.  I have been practicing some basic stitches, getting a feel for how it feeds fabric, changing presser feet, etc.  This machine has about 80 different stitches and some basic lettering/numbering stitches programmed into it.

Of course my 8yro son is very interested in the machine and asks me to sew his name, underlined, with a border lol.  ( He doesn't know what he wants lol!  )

So here is my first free hand attempt.  I see I must have the thread tension a bit tight but otherwise, I'm likin' this machine.

[Genievea Brookstone]

Aww that's sweet. Playing with the machine with different fabrics and stitches is a good way to start.

[Bonny Pearl]

Thanks!  I was pretty pleased with it lol.  Now on to other things. 

[Cilean]

How Awesome is that? I was upgraded myself for Mother's Day!

Skirt and Smock I have a great pattern you can work with from online:
Dawn has a great starter!
http://www.reddawn.net/costume/shirt.htm


I prefer this Shirt/Smock Pattern for anyone:
http://www.houseffg.org/resources/Elizabethan_Shirt.pdf


Here is a Great Skirt PDF from Burda:
http://assets.burdastyle.com/pdf_files/assets/000/096/950/renaissance-faire-garb-element-ladies-skirt_original.pdf?1272473826

And yet another one from Dawn's Pages:
http://www.reddawn.net/costume/skirt.htm

but wait there is more!

Your Embroidery machine can make Elizabethan Designs for you!  SO you lucky lady! You can do some lovely gorgeous things
Check out Rowena Elizabethan Designs and she has Free ones you can try!! Before you buy it is awesome truly!
http://www.rowenacharlton.com/

Just wanted you to know!  And Congrats again on the new machine!!!

Cilean

[Bonny Pearl]

WOW!  Thanks Cilean!