Sorry I was MIA for a few days as I was busy with a bunch of things with my family, some of which really raised my blood pressure!
And on the embroidery machine debacle: I have all but shut down my business. I have a couple things listed on etsy, though not much. And I decided to do custom orders for friends/family/previous customers, but I cannot operate a business using a machine that I cannot get support for. I have filed two complaints with Brother, the BBB and now the state's Atty general consumer fraud devision. My machine has worked less than 2 months of the 4 I have had it. The place refuses to fix it because they say it is not broken. I have my PE770 which thankfully I never got around to selling, and have been getting by with that, though I can't in good conscious run a business off that machine knowing that if something happens to it that the only place within 50 miles is o awful. I have shed A LOT of tears over this and have daily headaches from the stress. It is just not worth it. I really wanted the larger hoop for projects for my kids' WDW outfits, but I guess that is not in the cards. Sadly, until something is resolved and I either get it refunded or replaced, I keep having to make payments on it, since I don't want to ruin my credit over this. And it is boxed up in the hallway where it has been most of the past two months.
So sorry to hear about your ongoing saga with the embroidery machine. I hope you will get a satisfactory resolution to your problems. I would be happy to help you out with your kids' outfits if you want something with larger embroidery on them.
We're back "home" in Illinois now, the Ren Faire is at the Wisconsin/IL border. (Colorado will always be home to me, but I live here.) It was super hot, my kids had their pirate hats on for the first hour, but they are polyester foam and both kids were soaked with sweat so they went hat-free the rest of the day.
We are going to Twinsdays in Twinsburg OH. We have gone every year since my boys were 9 months old. We sort of happened upon it the first year, we drove to Philly for a wedding and needed and half-way point, turned out to be that weekend. Had so much fun that we have gone back every year. It really is a lot of fun and the parade is great people watching. Everyone we have met there has been wonderful and I think it is great for my boys to see twins celebrated instead of weird. (of course they think it is totally normal to have two babies at once since nearly all their playmates are twins.)
I am not willing to totally give up my business since I really do enjoy it and it is my "break" from the daily grind of wrangling toddlers but I can't handle the stress right now. Plus I have just over 3 months to make a million outfits for our trip!
Your boys look super cute!
Finally finish the youngest one's outfits. She will have more than she needs. Next I have to tackle that dreaded shirt for the oldest. I tried one pattern and failed with the collar. On to the new one, but still using cheap practice fabric. Hopefully I can up load these pictures. I don't think the light is great.
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They look great! I can't wait to see what you make for your older daugther.
Hi. I am new fairly new here (I gave to the Big Give years ago). I just got it in my head today that I want to learn to applique. I can barely use my sewing machine so I don't know how doable it will be. I looked at Heathersue's tutorial but I have a ton of questions. I don't know what kind of needle I need, what kind of fabric to use for the applique, what kind of fabric to put the applique on. How to center things, etc. I get lost in the details. lol. I'm wanting to start with a onsie or baby shirt. I'm totally overwhelmed. Can someone tell me if I'm biting off more than I can chew? Any advice? I'm scared to just jump in but I love so many appliqued baby things I see. I don't have an emboidery machine but I do have a computerized machine..I think that is what you call it. Help! Thank you
Welcome back! Doing applique "by hand" is actually quite easy. Just make sure you use stabilizer on the back and use heat n bond for the fabric pieces before stitching them on. If you have a variable speed option, set it to the slowest setting until you get a hang of doing the satin stitch around the fabric pieces.
Hi
I am a mom of 3 and in the past few months have gotten into customs.
We have a upcoming trip in September. I have met some great people in Facebook through the customs groups and launches. Unfortunately for my wallet I don't see at all but, am considering taking a few classes to try to learn.
Welcome! A number of us did not sew until we join the group and many were making beautiful outfits in no time! I am sure you will do just fine!
Finally finished up these outfits today, which I don't think could have turned out more like I had envisioned. Not something I am eager to make again, bit since I managed to come up with two occasions to wear them, it is a bonus. But all this cuteness is totally worth it.
They are the cutest Prince Charming I have ever seen!
I posted this "Grace" dress (from YCMT) a while back that I made for DN1, but I just received a picture of it modeled today. She's such a sweetie I wanted to share.
Maybe by posting the above it will inspire me to finish up DD's princess dress out of the same pattern?
Happy Friday!
The dress looks gorgeous and the model is so cute!
Hi all!
I used to be a member here when my daughter Tori was going on her wish trip and with everything that was going on with her illness I lost touch. I wanted to get back in touch with you ladies because I really enjoyed talking with you and I love seeing all of your creative ideas!
I've started an etsy business and it is slowly doing ok. More importantly, it lets me be here with Tori, although we are hopeful that she will be starting second grade in the fall!!!
So hello again! Oh, a quick question because I know a lot of you have the PE770. Each time I use the machine, it leaves tiny brown spots which I think must be oil? I have had to use a layer of stabilizer on top to protect the shirts, but then sometimes the stabilizer gets caught in the thread and looks messy.
Anyone know what is going on??
Welcome back! I am glad that Tori is doing reasonably well. I can't help you with the embroidery machine question but hopefully someone else will!
I lurk... I lurk a lot and wish I had as mush talent as all of you. I did a few dresses for my girls last year but nothing comparable to what you all post. would you mind me joining your little group? I'll need opinions along the way as I would like to make 2-3 dresses for each of my DDs. oh did I say that we were visiting the Mouse in October. I see lots of sleepless nights in my crystal ball
This is one of the dresses that I made last year. As you see, it's very simple
Welcome! The dresses you made looked great! In reality, many custom outfits are quite simple, so I am sure you can make beautiful dresses for your girls for your trip!
I see there are some new people her. I just want to say you can do it. I had never sewn before. When I had DD I wanted to make her the cute things I kept seeing so I convinced my mom to get and embroidery machine (she can sew). We now have the original one she bought and a 10 needle. I have learned so much. I still am learning but can do a lot. Oh and the first things I did were onsies and baby stuff. Now I want to try the dresses and stuff. We haven't even had the original machine a year yet and we have made so much stuff!
Here's a photo of what I did before our April trip.
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We also made DD's 4th of July Outfit
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Looks like you had a good collection of outfits for your trip. Your daugther looks super cute with that outfit!
Finally got it posted. Fabric done two way. There are bloomers in the large cat print to match either dress
Cute cute cute!
Let's have some fun!!!
WHAT IS ON YOUR TO DO LIST FOR CUSTOMS FOR YOUR UPCOMING TRIP???
When is your trip?
Who are you sewing for on this trip?
Oh that sounds like a fun idea, let me see...
On my to do list:
- Epcot World Showcase skirt, ankle length (done)
- Disney themed Easy Fit pants (have to figure out what the theme is!)
- Sweater or a sweat shirt
- new blouses?
- polos for DH?
- something Christmas themed
On my "recycle" list:
- Minnie inspired Rosetta bag
- Minnie inspired Jamie dress
- Minnie inspired Rebecca dress
- "Retro Mickey" Jamie dress
- DH's polos
When is our trip:
December 2013 - quite a few days of our trip overlaps Nini's AND we are staying at the same resort!
Who am I sewing for:
DH and I
Hi everyone! I've been lurking but thought I might join in! I love to sew all things disney for my kids and I love what you guys have done!
I've currently got planned a tinker bell and belle dress for dd and jake (disney jr.) and Prince Charming for ds.
We will be in Disney world in January!
Welcome! I look forward to seeing pictures of your projects!
I've been trying to finish one dress each week. It's been hard to do with the temperatures we have been having. My computer/sewing room is like a sauna.
Here are two more dress for the oldest niece (she is getting more since she doesn't have any from previous years that fit).
A flower print Circle Dress
Stitch Dress - she still loves him
I just got back the Princess and the Frog dress I made 2 yrs ago, as it doesn't fit my niece anymore
The dresses look great! I can't wait to see pictures of this week's project!
Not Disney, but had to share. Found this online and had to try. My daughter loves the minions and says beee doooo beeeee dooo, everytime she sees them. I also made her a minion outfit, but will post that later.
Edit......
Found the photo. Also have one of the skirt I made for the zoo.
Neat idea for the cupcakes! The outfits look beautiful!
Still on page 53, haven't quite caught up after the move.
So, I am now in Texas and still unpacking in my week 3 but the house is coming together and my sewing room looks great. I may actually get to use it this week since I finally found my iron and most everything is unpacked and put away. I need to make curtains for my boys bedrooms and for my sewing room. So much to do and trying to catch up on here but it's been crazy. Got a headache two nights ago and tried to sleep it off but it didn't work so yesterday I took a Maxalt, migraine med that usually works great, and it didn't work all the way so this morning I just took 2 Excedrin and will probably follow it with another Maxalt later after my DH leave for CA. It knocks me out so and I don't want to miss him leaving.
Can't wait to start sewing again and see what you all made while I was away. I've seen some really cute stuff so far. Still on page 53, so I am about a month behind but now that my computer is set up, hopefully I can catch up quick.
Welcome back! I hope the move went smoothly for you and your migraine will improve quickly!
This is my first post in this thread! My mom brought me her sewing machine (older than me--I'm almost 30) and re-taught me how to thread it, etc., last night. I practiced some stitches and am eager to keep practicing. For that reason, my answer is very modest.
To do: At least 1 custom dress--thinking of doing a circle skirt out of a tshirt knit onto a tank that I'll hopefully add embellishment to. I'd also like to add a 2nd dress with ruffles.
When: Not until May 2014, so I have lots of time!
Who: My DD who will be 2 years 11 months 2 weeks old when we travel (Free before she's 3!!!!!).
Thanks to you all for the very informative thread. I've been lurking awhile and was inspired to begin, in part, by your collective work.
Welcome! I am sure the outfits that you make will look lovely. Just a word of caution though: knits can be difficult to work with because of the stretch. Also, please make sure you use ball point needles for knits.
Most recent project for the baby.....I'm glad bishops tend to fit for 2 years since they take a while to make.
ENABLER Alert
Carla C has released a new baby girl top/ dress pattern that is bishop style without the smocking and it has a place for embroidery where the smocking usually goes......and even better.....its currently on sale in her etsy shop.
I am not Carla and I do not monetarily benefit in any way for this message.
I may have to break my no buy challenge for this one
This dress looks beautiful! I suppose it is a good thing it does not come in an adult size or else I would be tempted to buy!
I got one checked off the list. Minnie Mouse dress:
Now I am struggling with deciding what to do next. I need to go in, clean up the fabric scraps, print a new pattern and get to work but I always hit a lull after finishing one. Anyone else have this trouble?
The dress looks great! Yes I get the "post project blues" sometimes. I take a short break (like a day) and start looking for ideas for the next project.
I know I have seen it on here before but I can't seem to find it. Where do most of you buy your thread for embroidery machines. My mom just bought her first embroidery machine and is needing thread. I remember reading on here about online stores with starter collections. Anyone have any recommendations?
Welcome! I purchased mine from Marathon Threads. I also use their stabilizer (I buy them in the huge rolls) and they have worked really well.
I see lots of sleepless nights in my crystal ball 
Go on. Give yourself permission to experiment and have some fun!!
Also, is this just on Disney cruises, or all of them?
Yippie for having a sewing room!!
