Mrs Webmuppet Posted August 4, 2009 Share Posted August 4, 2009 Ok. Having seen all the wonderful patchwork that the forumites have created I feel inspired to have a bash at it myself. I suppose the first step is to get a sewing machine. Would one of those mini sewing machines be any good ( I can't afford one of those big ones and I don't have much storage room in my little house). I saw two mini sewing machines in John Lewis's and wondered if they would be any good.......( I thought the red one looked quite funky!) http://www.johnlewis.com/230515174/Product.aspx http://www.johnlewis.com/230472537/Product.aspx I have also found Quilters Haven which is only 20 mins away which does all the supplies and kits. http://www.quilters-haven.co.uk/ I would have to do some saving up first (or wait for Christmas) plus I still have a lot of knitting to get done plus all those edible Christmas hampers to attend to ( the forum has a lot to answer for ) I also thought it could be something Little Miss Webmuppet could help with too I did do patchwork in my youth under the beady eye of my Grandmother and I can just about remember how to do it ( unfortunately I can't ask my Gran, as whilst she is still with us in body, her mind went off on a holiday some years ago and failed to come back ) Over to you for your words of wisdom. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chook n Boo Mum Posted August 4, 2009 Share Posted August 4, 2009 I'm sure I read somewhere on here that the little red one was complimented...Aunty e I think if memory serves correctly (which it probably isn't having been up til 4.20 this morning with a very sick little boy then woken up by some twit who wanted next door not me & failed to notice my neighbour calling him along to the correct gate ) If I lived 20 mins from that shop, I'd be there constantly...looking, touching, dreaming if not actually buying!!!! Good luck with your return to patchworking........is Gran totally with the fairies, or might her "autopilot" still work on a pass-time she did many years ago....she may be able to "help" & failing that might enjoy watching you sew again when you visit, with the little machine that would be possible too. Sha x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mrs Webmuppet Posted August 4, 2009 Author Share Posted August 4, 2009 Thank you Wild Mum..........I only found the quiting shop on 'tinternet yesterday. I have scheduled a trip to the shop for next Wednesday between the trip to the dentists ( ironically 10 mins away from the quilting shop ) and the physio............fact finding mission only of course. I noticed the shop does kids lessons too Sadly Gran is totally away with the fairies, last time I saw her I tried talking to her about the jumper I was knitting and the lovely fluffy cardi that LMW was wearing but there was no response, it is really sad because she was such a clever & busy lady ( she would have very at home on the Omlet forum) and now she is just a sad shell sitting in Gods Waiting Room ( as I call the home where she now lives). I feel as though I have taken Grans place as the Domestic Godess of the family with all the knitting, cookery, gardening etc ( all with a little help from my forum friends ) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aunty e Posted August 4, 2009 Share Posted August 4, 2009 The Janome Mini/John Lewis mini is very good for the size/price, and has worked like a dream for baby clothes, sleeping bags and ring slings BUT if you're thinking of doing quilting you might want to consider this one http://www.argos.co.uk/static/Product/partNumber/4600176/Trail/searchtext%3ESEWING+MACHINE.htm I bought it at the weekend to do some heavy weight sewing and have been really really impressed, and it comes with a two year guarantee. The minis are fab though, and up to most kinds of sewing, and take up very little room and can be stuffed in a canvas bag and taken to classes/sewing evenings/friends' houses. I'd get the John Lewis one in preference to the Janome if given the choice. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mrs Webmuppet Posted August 5, 2009 Author Share Posted August 5, 2009 Thank you Auntye. I knew you would know the answer. I don't think I will be doing quilting, more likely a bit of patchwork and school play costume making (using cotton fabric). The machine in Argos is a bit heavy to be carting up and down stairs and on and off the dinner table ( plus its a butterfly leaf table and not overly strong). I shall save up for the little red machine from John Lewis (plus my Step Mum gets discount at JL ) Thank you for your words of wisdom. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Falkor Posted August 5, 2009 Share Posted August 5, 2009 HAVE YOU SEEN THESE!!!! http://www.quilters-haven.co.uk/acatalog/rooster_patterns.html OMG!!!! love them! My debit card has just taken a mini bashing Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Couperwife Posted August 5, 2009 Share Posted August 5, 2009 wow, how wonderful *cathy step away from the credit card * ok, ok, im calm now cathy x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Plum Posted August 5, 2009 Share Posted August 5, 2009 I've got Raj but not got round to making it yet. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Plum Posted August 5, 2009 Share Posted August 5, 2009 Thought you might like to see some chicken blocks I made at a workshop years ago but not made up into anything yet. I've still got to do the cockeral If you pm me I'll let you know how to obtain the pattern. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Falkor Posted August 5, 2009 Share Posted August 5, 2009 They are great Plum! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Plum Posted August 5, 2009 Share Posted August 5, 2009 Sorry Mrs Webmuppet we've gone off on a tangent. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mrs Webmuppet Posted August 5, 2009 Author Share Posted August 5, 2009 Hi Plum, Feel free to go off on a tangent. .............Aunty e answered my sewing machine question and the cockerels look fantastic. I will start on something a little less daunting..........some nice easy squares I think! The fabrics look beautiful and I suspect that LMW will love the shop. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mrs Webmuppet Posted August 13, 2009 Author Share Posted August 13, 2009 Just to let you know LMW and I visited Quilters Haven after our trip to the dentist yesterday ( dental hygienist for me and emergency appointment for LMW - she has an infection by her very wobbly baby tooth and now has yucky medicine for it) the staff were lovely and the shop is an aladdins cave of craftyness............some of the forumites would be in there all day( &possibly all week), we only bought a sewing book for LMW (a proper kids book) and a pair of scissors, I was quite restrained but I shall return there once school is back in..........then there won't be a witness On the sewing machine front I have my beady eye on a Janome mini sewing machine on eBay ( a lot cheaper than John Lewis)......watch this space. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Plum Posted August 13, 2009 Share Posted August 13, 2009 Good luck with the machine Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Valkyrie Posted August 13, 2009 Share Posted August 13, 2009 Just a little reminder to check how large the hole is underneath if you are going to machine quilt. I had a struggle to get mine in the gap so ended up buying a Quiltmaster (which now needs to be mended and I still haven't got around to doing it yet ). My quilting teacher used a Bernina. I have Janome's. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mrs Webmuppet Posted August 14, 2009 Author Share Posted August 14, 2009 LMW and I have a Janome mini sewing machine winging its way to us! I have also ordered a job lot of ready cut fabric squares off eBay, we also went a got some thread today so we are all set to go once the machine and fabric arrive. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Plum Posted August 14, 2009 Share Posted August 14, 2009 Congratulations and don't forget to tell us what you make. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chook n Boo Mum Posted August 14, 2009 Share Posted August 14, 2009 .and piccies....lots of piccies Sha x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mrs Webmuppet Posted August 18, 2009 Author Share Posted August 18, 2009 Th sewing machine is here and so is the fabric..............just got to work out how to use the machine........ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mrs Webmuppet Posted August 19, 2009 Author Share Posted August 19, 2009 I lurve my little sewing machine......it's so easy to use. Mr Webmuppet found some videos on youtube of how to thread it up etc which helped no end. I have been merrily sewing 4inch squares of fabric together this afternoon (way to hot to go outside) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Valkyrie Posted August 19, 2009 Share Posted August 19, 2009 Way to go, I'm still plodding on with sorting my stache. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
