Sewing: Day 1

For Christmas, I bought myself a sewing machine. I have had the notion to do some sewing for quite awhile - you know, curtains, pillows, simple stuff. I just never got around to learning how to do it or getting my hands on a machine. So this year I decided to take the plunge, do some research and buy one.

I checked Consumer Reports then shopped around at my local Wal-Mart and fabric store, and decided on the Brother LS-590 25 stitch sewing machine. It was a great buy at Hancock Fabrics here in E-town, so I felt great about my choice.
Next, I needed to get all the "stuff" for the machine. I had no idea what to get, so the nice lady at the store steered me toward some needles and I bought some cheap fabric and thread to get started. I then went to the bookstore to look for some good beginner books. I found Sewing 101 and One-Yard Wonders, and just like that, I was off!

I asked my mom to come help me set it all up the next day, but believe it or not, I had it all figured out by the time she arrived! I couldn't believe I actually wound the bobbin and threaded the thing all by myself (well, with the help of the instruction manual)! Hey, I can DO this, I thought.

I thumbed through my new books and decided to make some fleece pillows for my girls. After a quick trip to the fabric store again for some cute fleece, quality scissors, and other notions, I was ready to go.

Just to see if I could do it, and to get in a little practice, I made a little tote bag. It turned out pretty well considering it was my first attempt at sewing anything with a sewing machine ever.

I felt ready to make some pillows, so I cut the fabric and started to sew! I made two raw-edged pillows that turned into fringe pillows and two heart pillows that required me to slip-stitch the last bit after stuffing them. The slip-stitch was harder than any of the sewing machine work!

The results of my first day of sewing made me feel proud and accomplished!