~~~SEWING my way to POFQ ~ American Girl outfits & Custom Park Bags! ~~~

[mommy2mrb]

Happy to hear you are feeling better and following dr's order's!!!

bummer about having to work the extra hours....think of it this way...more Disney $$$

I can't wait to see the bag, well I know its one of two characters, but I won't leek the surprise
Megan will love using it....hmmm, maybe I will use it to spring her surprise DLR trip on her at the airport!!! will be perfect!

 

[DMGeurts]

Happy to hear you are feeling better and following dr's order's!!!

bummer about having to work the extra hours....think of it this way...more Disney $$$

I can't wait to see the bag, well I know its one of two characters, but I won't leek the surprise
Megan will love using it....hmmm, maybe I will use it to spring her surprise DLR trip on her at the airport!!! will be perfect!

That will be awesome... I can put something on the SerendipD~ card if you want she can read it and find out that way??? Totally up to you.

D~

 

[mommy2mrb]

That will be awesome... I can put something on the SerendipD~ card if you want she can read it and find out that way??? Totally up to you.

D~

sure thing! that will be fun!!

 

[DMGeurts]

sure thing! that will be fun!!

OK - send me a PM telling me what to write, and I'll put that in the card for her to read.

D~

 

[poisonapple_PRINCESS]

Sorry all... Internet is back up and running... Yay.

I had a rough morning and ended up in the ER.

I've been having some pretty unusual and very painful pains in my ribs for the last few weeks (DH says months)... Sometimes, it's so painful that I can't stand up straight - and even once I broke out in a heavy sweat. Then I have to take 2 Aleve, followed by 2 ibuprofen, followed by 2 tylenol, every two hours until the pain stops... It's really horrible. Well, I've been ignoring it - hoping it would go away. Then over the last few weeks, I've noticed that I am short of breath, almost all the time. Last night, as I was falling asleep, I started to feel as if someone was sitting on my chest. When I woke up, I felt fine... then as I was sewing this morning, I started feeling a lot of pressure again. So, I called my Dr. to make an appt... the receptionist freaked out and put the triage nurse on the line... who told me to go immediately to the ER. Even told me not to drive... I drove anyways - bad me - but there wasn't anyone else around to take me.

So, you walk into the ER, saying you are out of breath and chest pressure... They really don't waste any time seeing you. I was quite embarassed. They did a whole gammit of tests on me... EEGs, blood tests, IVs (Oh yah, when I tell you that my veins roll - I really mean it - 3 tries for the IV)... Chest xrays... They were concerned that I had a heart attack last night, or a blood clot in my lungs. I was there for 4 hours, which I know, isn't much compared to what others go through.

I called DH on the way, told him it was no big deal - stay at work... so, of course he shows up.

Turns out, I have some sort of chest infection/inflamation, that started at the bottom of my chest and has managed to spread into my entire chest? Never heard of such a thing. They put me on some sort of pain/anti-inflamation med for the next few weeks to see if that takes care of it.

All I know, is that it still hurts, and I still have pressure in my chest. And I am glad that all my other tests came back OK. I am also quite embarassed that I went through all of that for nothing.

So, no sewing today. Maybe tomorrow.

D~

OH MY WORD! I'm glad you're okay! I hope the meds they gave you work! Get better, rest, take it easy and I hope you get better quickly.

Now I'll have to go read through the posts after this to see if there is an update...roughly one day I'm off the disboards and I'm too out of the loop!

 

[mommy2mrb]

OK - send me a PM telling me what to write, and I'll put that in the card for her to read.

D~

sending!!!

 

[mphalens]

Thank you. Well, maybe she will have her second childhood soon... I am working on my 4th - so it's all good.



Ummm... not sure how I get my quilting so perfect... I think it's far from perfect. Honestly, it's Patience... I just steer the fabric - she actually sews it.
In all seriousness... I have no idea. I line my ruler up, and make lines every inch on the diagonal with my disappearing marker, and then I quick sew over those lines before they disappear. If they disappear before I get there, I just pretend they are still there and go for it... because I am too lazy to go back and redraw them.



Nini - you are making me blush - seriously.

Can I just link to your whole post in the table of contents at the begining of my PTR???? That way I can come back and reread it when I am having a down day.



Yes, I will announce it everywhere - you know me - really can't keep my mouth shut.

I think you need to get Beth out and take her for a spin.



LOL... See above...

I don't notice anyone's wiggly stitches (sounds like a dance) except my own... I'll bet that you all have perfect stitches too.



Thank you... I hope that someday you get your grandmothers machine. You sould ask to "borrow" it, and just forget to give it back. I would. Or, better yet, borrow it, and switch it out with the exact same machine that isn't your Grandmother's... They'd never know. Like they'd use it like you would...

D~ is feeling a bit devious tonight.



Yay, I am glad I could help you out. The tension isn't as bad as you'd think it is. I know it's hugely scarey, but honestly, you think it's more complicated than it actually is. As long as you have the manual right in front of you, and you read it through 20 times, and follow the instructions perfectly - you will be fine. I changed out Mr. Rocket's tension with out even looking at the instructions, and I've only done this once before. So, it's much easier than you think it is.

OH - and VERY IMPORTANT... take pictures of every single piece before you take it off, so you can remember exactly how to get it back on.



Yay!!! Good girl~



I commented in your PTR already... but I am so proud of you! You did an excellent job as a first timer - you are destined for fantabulous sewing skills!

My parts came today for Mr. Rocket. So, he now has a spiffy new bobbin winder tire. DH also rewired his power cord/foot pedal... He is officially set up to take over for the Brother... I took all the Brother's bobbins and wound them on to Mr. Rocket's. The brother is now packed away under the counter - he is my emergency back up machine... the same machine I dug out of the closet one year ago...

D~ <--- Did anyone notice... I seem to get blamed for a lot around here.

Holy Moly girlie! I get banned for a few days and all craziness breaks out!

I LOVE LOVE my Figment bag!!! Finn is in LOVE too! He said "That's the funny dragon!" and Phalen asked who sent me "the cool Figment bag"
I just keep picking it back up and looking at it in awe! And I swear the main fabric you used is a coordinating one to one of the fabrics I picked up at Mary Jo's for my Figment skirt!!!!

Can't wait to see what Mr Rocket sews up!

OK - so I am writing this in word - since I know that the second I try to post, my internet will go down, and I will be so mad when I lose my whole post. I've been able to get my internet to work intermittently throughout the morning, for about 5 minute blocks of time. Just super annoying. Thankfully, my machines don't need internet to work... but I really want to get these photos uploaded, so I can go on with my day.
Anyways... this is one of my test bags. It is an autograph/Epcot passport bag. It is intended for young kids, about the 4 - 8 y/o age range. Old enough to be out of a stroller and walk. The bag is designed to hold a standard Disney autograph book, an Epcot passport & a Sharpie. I wanted to design this test bag on a Princess theme, so the little girl who is testing it did get to pick her favorite princess for the bag - since I had no preference.

The finished bag size is approx. 7.5" wide x 6" tall.
As usual, the bag is fully quilted on the outside. The inside is fully lined. It closes with a zipper. The strap is quilted for comfort, but not adjustable on this particular bag (wondering if I should make it adjustable in the future???).

I am not thrilled with the appliqué on this particular bag. My brother machine started acting up, and I couldn't get it to do the pupils - so Bell has a bit of an alien stare going on. I am so happy to have Mr. Rocket up and running and I am super excited to do my first appliqué with him today.

I do plan to work on an autograph/passport bag this afternoon that is a bit bigger for the 8-12 y/o people... they'd be able to carry a few extra items... sunglasses, lip gloss, small wallet. However, I don't believe that kids should be pack mules - so these bags are designed for only the necessities.

It's taken me 6 tries to get these 4 photos uploaded... Now, if I can get them posted... Grrr...

D~

That is fabulous!!! I know you've got another hot ticket item on your hands!!! I totally see the girlie side of this item - but my boys will remind you that boys like to get autographs and stuff too . . . so they'll send along some ideas for making a boy version

Awww... Thanks Lisa.

Thanks for the well wishes everyone... I survived my day at work. Which is good - I didn't over extend myself at all.

They finally released our Thanksgiving schedule... Totally over my allowed hours per week... and yes - I complain about that sort of thing. I'm sure I annoy them... but if you are going to make me work Thanksgiving day and black friday... Sorry - I am going to complain that you are waaaay over my max hours - so they can then get rid of my Monday or Saturday shift that week.

Target used to be a really great company to work for, but this holiday season, they have really gone the sneaky route, and I am not so sure I enjoy working for this company anymore. D~ might just be on the job hunt soon. It's not the actual working that has me angry, it's entirely the way they handled it.

Ok... D~ must go applique something now.

D~

Your Target is making me very very sad! I love Target, but I do NOT like these things they're pulling with you! NOT COOL!!!!


Okay - so I have to share a pic of the bag and wallet - I know y'all have seen them, but now they're in my hands and I'm so excited!

I also thought y'all might like to see what I've been working on during my exile . . . my Minnie Decoupage Jeans (and Wal-mart clearance shirt)

I also whipped up Phalen's AK pants tonight . . . I haven't finished them yet because I realized I haven't bought ANY buttons for all the pants i have to make (so I can't make button holes until I know what size buttons)
So, I thought it was a good idea to learn how to use my new buttonholer I got while I was in RI. . . I was a little worried she and Frannie might not really like one another, but they get along beautifully!!!
Look!

 

[VBAndrea]

Hi D~ .... I've been absent for a bit again. I've been house cleaning looked for that blessed CE folder I lost and catching up on things I've gotten behind on from too much sewing. And we are having company tonight, so I will spend the day vacuuming, dusting, floor mopping, etc. Yesterday I did all outdoor things -- it's fall here now and we have loads of trees so lots of raking to do plus I trimmed all the bushes in the front of the house -- I need to move a couple though which I do not look forward to doing as they are almost 10 years old and hard to dig up -- some just grow faster than others and need to be respaced. It's supposed to be nice out this week so I may continue yard work rather than sewing.

I did pull my new to me machine out. It's actually part metal and part plastic. I was so excited to try it for hand applique and it sucks. My current Singer does a much better job. I was very disappointed. However, it sews 1000 times better on knits than my current machine does, so I am happy about that. I can't sew much yet anyway b/c it takes a tiny little bobbin so must find out if those are readily available or if I have to get them from sew vac.

Holy Moly girlie! I get banned for a few days and all craziness breaks out!

I LOVE LOVE my Figment bag!!! Finn is in LOVE too! He said "That's the funny dragon!" and Phalen asked who sent me "the cool Figment bag"
I just keep picking it back up and looking at it in awe! And I swear the main fabric you used is a coordinating one to one of the fabrics I picked up at Mary Jo's for my Figment skirt!!!!

Can't wait to see what Mr Rocket sews up!



That is fabulous!!! I know you've got another hot ticket item on your hands!!! I totally see the girlie side of this item - but my boys will remind you that boys like to get autographs and stuff too . . . so they'll send along some ideas for making a boy version



Your Target is making me very very sad! I love Target, but I do NOT like these things they're pulling with you! NOT COOL!!!!


Okay - so I have to share a pic of the bag and wallet - I know y'all have seen them, but now they're in my hands and I'm so excited!

I also thought y'all might like to see what I've been working on during my exile . . . my Minnie Decoupage Jeans (and Wal-mart clearance shirt)

I also whipped up Phalen's AK pants tonight . . . I haven't finished them yet because I realized I haven't bought ANY buttons for all the pants i have to make (so I can't make button holes until I know what size buttons)
So, I thought it was a good idea to learn how to use my new buttonholer I got while I was in RI. . . I was a little worried she and Frannie might not really like one another, but they get along beautifully!!!
Look!

I can't wait to see your bag modeled with your skirt!

I love your jeans and your button holer looks like it does a superb job!

 

[DMGeurts]

Holy Moly girlie! I get banned for a few days and all craziness breaks out!

I know, it was a crazy week around here! Thanks for being such a good sport about your banning.

I LOVE LOVE my Figment bag!!! Finn is in LOVE too! He said "That's the funny dragon!" and Phalen asked who sent me "the cool Figment bag"
I just keep picking it back up and looking at it in awe! And I swear the main fabric you used is a coordinating one to one of the fabrics I picked up at Mary Jo's for my Figment skirt!!!!

I am so glad you like it - it was so fun to make. I've never seen Figment before, so I really had no idea what I was doing - but I am very happy that the fabrics coordinate with one of the fabrics you used, that is awesome. I think I know which one your are talking about too - because I remember seeing it in the photos you sent me - I know there are a lot of different patterns and colorways that go with those fabrics, so I totally wouldn't doubt it if you got on.

Can't wait to see what Mr Rocket sews up!

Mr Rocket barely survived the night last night... He is on my naughty list right now.

That is fabulous!!! I know you've got another hot ticket item on your hands!!! I totally see the girlie side of this item - but my boys will remind you that boys like to get autographs and stuff too . . . so they'll send along some ideas for making a boy version

Please do... I've been racking my brains for weeks trying to come up with a boy version and I am just at a loss. I'll have to do some internet searches for man bags and see if it inspires anything that's boy style.

Your Target is making me very very sad! I love Target, but I do NOT like these things they're pulling with you! NOT COOL!!!!

Agreed. I am just trying very hard not to think about it.

Okay - so I have to share a pic of the bag and wallet - I know y'all have seen them, but now they're in my hands and I'm so excited!

I also thought y'all might like to see what I've been working on during my exile . . . my Minnie Decoupage Jeans (and Wal-mart clearance shirt)

I also whipped up Phalen's AK pants tonight . . . I haven't finished them yet because I realized I haven't bought ANY buttons for all the pants i have to make (so I can't make button holes until I know what size buttons)
So, I thought it was a good idea to learn how to use my new buttonholer I got while I was in RI. . . I was a little worried she and Frannie might not really like one another, but they get along beautifully!!!
Look!

I can't wait to see your bag with your skirt! Super excited about that!

Love the Minnie decopage jeans - those are adorable and I love the shirt you got to go with it!

The button holes are amazing... I still have yet to take out my buttonholer and see what it does.

Mr. Rocket update: Mr. Rocket has been a baaaaad boy and really made D~ an angry person yesterday... I told him, when I got him, his main job will be appliqueing - he was fine with that. So, I sit down at him yesterday and start this really fun applique that I spent hours cutting out and positioning (not to mention the hours I spent quilting the fabric under it) - and he started skipping stitches. I was so MAD! You know me... I am so critical of everything I do - and this was totally not acceptable, at all! So, I opened up his bobbin area and I took it all apart - gave it a super throrough cleaning (like I hadn't done that already....), found a couple of lint pieces I had missed the first time - so put him back together, and began my applique again... still skipping stitches. So, I did a bit of digging online and came up with a few various reasons as to why this would happen... Opened him up again... Long story short... Mr. Rocket spent the day opened up on my sewing counter - nuts and gears all over the place. I took him apart and put him back together about 30 times... NOTHING WORKED! After dinner (after spending 9 hours working on him yesterday) I went upstairs, unplugged him and brought him down stairs - I was headed for the garbage can outside, and DH saved him. Mr. Rocket is currently in 100 million pieces on my diningroom table - and D~ is still so angry. I have to get this bag/applique done - I didn't have the time to mess with this sort of thing - and now I am stuck doing nothing until DH gets this figured out - because I am done with Mr. Rocket. Grrr...

So, no pictures got posted last night, because I didn't get anything done yesterday. I am probably going to move on to my next project today, and get as much done of that as I can, because it also needs to be appliqued. If DH can't get Mr Rocket fixed today - I am going to have to dig out one of the Brothers and rewind all those bobbins, because I just don't have the time to sit here idle for days waiting on Mr. Rocket to get his attitude adjusted!

D~

 

[DMGeurts]

Since it's been a while since I've done a Mini-Planner update, I thought I would do one today...

So, here it is - Day 7:

D~

 

[cogero]

D so sorry about Mr. Rocket.

I have gotten done because I have had a horrid little boy who will not listen and has to be attached to my hip. I am hoping to get some appliques today and I am thinking of staying up late to work on some easy fits unless I can get the boy to go take a nap today.

well time to get moving. Maybe I will update my trip report with some pictures from our August trip

 

[Lidian]

Holy Moly girlie! I get banned for a few days and all craziness breaks out!

I LOVE LOVE my Figment bag!!! Finn is in LOVE too! He said "That's the funny dragon!" and Phalen asked who sent me "the cool Figment bag"
I just keep picking it back up and looking at it in awe! And I swear the main fabric you used is a coordinating one to one of the fabrics I picked up at Mary Jo's for my Figment skirt!!!!

Can't wait to see what Mr Rocket sews up!

That is fabulous!!! I know you've got another hot ticket item on your hands!!! I totally see the girlie side of this item - but my boys will remind you that boys like to get autographs and stuff too . . . so they'll send along some ideas for making a boy version

Your Target is making me very very sad! I love Target, but I do NOT like these things they're pulling with you! NOT COOL!!!!

Okay - so I have to share a pic of the bag and wallet - I know y'all have seen them, but now they're in my hands and I'm so excited!

I also thought y'all might like to see what I've been working on during my exile . . . my Minnie Decoupage Jeans (and Wal-mart clearance shirt)

I also whipped up Phalen's AK pants tonight . . . I haven't finished them yet because I realized I haven't bought ANY buttons for all the pants i have to make (so I can't make button holes until I know what size buttons)
So, I thought it was a good idea to learn how to use my new buttonholer I got while I was in RI. . . I was a little worried she and Frannie might not really like one another, but they get along beautifully!!!
Look!

Love your Minnie outfit! I won't mention that I'm a bit jealous of your Figment bag -- because I think we all are.

That's awesome that the fabrics are coordinating!!

I know, it was a crazy week around here! Thanks for being such a good sport about your banning.

I am so glad you like it - it was so fun to make. I've never seen Figment before, so I really had no idea what I was doing - but I am very happy that the fabrics coordinate with one of the fabrics you used, that is awesome. I think I know which one your are talking about too - because I remember seeing it in the photos you sent me - I know there are a lot of different patterns and colorways that go with those fabrics, so I totally wouldn't doubt it if you got on.

Mr Rocket barely survived the night last night... He is on my naughty list right now.

Please do... I've been racking my brains for weeks trying to come up with a boy version and I am just at a loss. I'll have to do some internet searches for man bags and see if it inspires anything that's boy style.

I went and asked DH ... because he's already told me if I make a bag for DS, he's leaving.

The only thing he could come up with was maybe a backpack type bag? But my concern was with it being so small, it may not work well as a backpack. I asked about a fannypack, and he said OMG NO. But surely there has to be a way to make a tote bag for a boy that isn't girly and doesn't look like a purse. (I've been wracking my brain on this as well, because I wanted to make DS something, too.)

Hopefully someone can come up with a manly suggestion! (And then can I steal it? )

Agreed. I am just trying very hard not to think about it.

I can't wait to see your bag with your skirt! Super excited about that!

Love the Minnie decopage jeans - those are adorable and I love the shirt you got to go with it!

The button holes are amazing... I still have yet to take out my buttonholer and see what it does.

Mr. Rocket update: Mr. Rocket has been a baaaaad boy and really made D~ an angry person yesterday... I told him, when I got him, his main job will be appliqueing - he was fine with that. So, I sit down at him yesterday and start this really fun applique that I spent hours cutting out and positioning (not to mention the hours I spent quilting the fabric under it) - and he started skipping stitches. I was so MAD! You know me... I am so critical of everything I do - and this was totally not acceptable, at all! So, I opened up his bobbin area and I took it all apart - gave it a super throrough cleaning (like I hadn't done that already....), found a couple of lint pieces I had missed the first time - so put him back together, and began my applique again... still skipping stitches. So, I did a bit of digging online and came up with a few various reasons as to why this would happen... Opened him up again... Long story short... Mr. Rocket spent the day opened up on my sewing counter - nuts and gears all over the place. I took him apart and put him back together about 30 times... NOTHING WORKED! After dinner (after spending 9 hours working on him yesterday) I went upstairs, unplugged him and brought him down stairs - I was headed for the garbage can outside, and DH saved him. Mr. Rocket is currently in 100 million pieces on my diningroom table - and D~ is still so angry. I have to get this bag/applique done - I didn't have the time to mess with this sort of thing - and now I am stuck doing nothing until DH gets this figured out - because I am done with Mr. Rocket. Grrr...

So, no pictures got posted last night, because I didn't get anything done yesterday. I am probably going to move on to my next project today, and get as much done of that as I can, because it also needs to be appliqued. If DH can't get Mr Rocket fixed today - I am going to have to dig out one of the Brothers and rewind all those bobbins, because I just don't have the time to sit here idle for days waiting on Mr. Rocket to get his attitude adjusted!

D~

Sorry about Mr. Rocket. Hopefully you can get it sorted out and it be something silly like you didn't have your tongue hanging out while sewing.

Keep us posted on Mr. Rocket's status. And as a newbie, I must ask, why do you have to rewind your bobbins?

 

[lisateaches]

Hi D~ .... I've been absent for a bit again. I've been house cleaning looked for that blessed CE folder I lost and catching up on things I've gotten behind on from too much sewing. And we are having company tonight, so I will spend the day vacuuming, dusting, floor mopping, etc. Yesterday I did all outdoor things -- it's fall here now and we have loads of trees so lots of raking to do plus I trimmed all the bushes in the front of the house -- I need to move a couple though which I do not look forward to doing as they are almost 10 years old and hard to dig up -- some just grow faster than others and need to be respaced. It's supposed to be nice out this week so I may continue yard work rather than sewing.

I did pull my new to me machine out. It's actually part metal and part plastic. I was so excited to try it for hand applique and it sucks. My current Singer does a much better job. I was very disappointed. However, it sews 1000 times better on knits than my current machine does, so I am happy about that. I can't sew much yet anyway b/c it takes a tiny little bobbin so must find out if those are readily available or if I have to get them from sew vac.



I can't wait to see your bag modeled with your skirt!

I love your jeans and your button holer looks like it does a superb job!

I keep thinking I'm doing something wrong with my Brother. I cannot get it to do applique the way my old Kenmore did. Of course, after refurb the Kenmore just kept jamming and tearing up fabric hence the Brother. I have an embroidery machine but not a digitizer so I really need to do the applique. Anyone have suggestions?

 

[lisateaches]

I keep thinking I'm doing something wrong with my Brother. I cannot get it to do applique the way my old Kenmore did. Of course, after refurb the Kenmore just kept jamming and tearing up fabric hence the Brother. I have an embroidery machine but not a digitizer so I really need to do the applique. Anyone have suggestions?

I just read something that said to use a satin stitch instead of zig zag. I will try it today.

 

[DMGeurts]

I went and asked DH ... because he's already told me if I make a bag for DS, he's leaving.

The only thing he could come up with was maybe a backpack type bag? But my concern was with it being so small, it may not work well as a backpack. I asked about a fannypack, and he said OMG NO. But surely there has to be a way to make a tote bag for a boy that isn't girly and doesn't look like a purse. (I've been wracking my brain on this as well, because I wanted to make DS something, too.)

Hopefully someone can come up with a manly suggestion! (And then can I steal it? )

I was thinking some sort of belt type bag... Not a fanny pack... But seriously - does any child wear a belt?

I will keep brainstorming... I am sure I will come up with something in the middle of the night. My luck - it will be in the middle of the night while I am at POFQ and no machines in sight.

Sorry about Mr. Rocket. Hopefully you can get it sorted out and it be something silly like you didn't have your tongue hanging out while sewing.

Keep us posted on Mr. Rocket's status. And as a newbie, I must ask, why do you have to rewind your bobbins?

Hmmm... I did not have my tongue sticking out... I will give that a try. I had my middle finger up - that did nothing... at this point, I am willing to try anything.

I walked past Mr Rocket this morning and said "you're gonna sew today whether you like it or not, so get used to it" - and then I proceded to get my coffee. However, my dog was sitting there while I said it, and he had this look on his face like "um, you haven't taught me to sew yet..."

I have to re-wind the bobbins because Mr Rocket takes different bobbins than the brothers do... so the other night, I sat there for an hour, winding the thread from the Brother bobbins to Mr. Rocket's (because I am too much of a tightwad to just use new thread) - so now I might have to take the time and wind them all back again. <--- Tightwad tendancies again...

I just read something that said to use a satin stitch instead of zig zag. I will try it today.

I am not sure how new your machine is, but on these older machines, a Satin Stitch is the same as a Zig-Zag stitch, you just change your stitch length to barely anything.

I am not sure what to tell you to do... everything I've read over the last 24 hours tells me to (yet again) try a new needle. I've been using Singer needles (and most places say they are horrible quality - while others say not to use anything else in Vintage machines) - so I am going to try a Schmetz needle, as a last resort. Honestly, I think the timing on Mr Rocket is a hair off - so I am going to adjust his timing this morning too - if I don't beat him to death first. <--- Sorry tangent again. Anyways, then check and recheck to make sure your machine is threaded right. Then check and recheck to make sure your bobbin area (and feed dogs) are clear of any possible lint... Then you bang your head against the top of your machine... Come check Disboards... While giving your machine the evil eye... Then you do all of the above, say a few prayers and hope it works.

D~ <--- who is going to approach Mr Rocket with a lead pipe wrench - see if that does the trick????

 

[Lidian]

I was thinking some sort of belt type bag... Not a fanny pack... But seriously - does any child wear a belt?

Neither of my kids wear belts ... but they do have them. DD will sometimes, but I think it's more of an accessory than to hold up her pants, whereas DS needs the belt sometimes -- but he's still small enough they have adjustable waistbands in his pants.

I will keep brainstorming... I am sure I will come up with something in the middle of the night. My luck - it will be in the middle of the night while I am at POFQ and no machines in sight.

Wait ... you aren't taking a machine with you? What's wrong with you??!!

Hmmm... I did not have my tongue sticking out... I will give that a try. I had my middle finger up - that did nothing... at this point, I am willing to try anything.

Well, middle finger up was going to be my next suggestion if tongue out didn't work.

I walked past Mr Rocket this morning and said "you're gonna sew today whether you like it or not, so get used to it" - and then I proceded to get my coffee. However, my dog was sitting there while I said it, and he had this look on his face like "um, you haven't taught me to sew yet..."

So why don't you have your dog sewing yet?

I have to re-wind the bobbins because Mr Rocket takes different bobbins than the brothers do... so the other night, I sat there for an hour, winding the thread from the Brother bobbins to Mr. Rocket's (because I am too much of a tightwad to just use new thread) - so now I might have to take the time and wind them all back again. <--- Tightwad tendancies again...

No, makes total sense, and I'd be the same way. I didn't know different machines used different bobbins. I have so much to learn, but I'll get there slowly by paying attention to all the wonderful ladies here!

I am not sure how new your machine is, but on these older machines, a Satin Stitch is the same as a Zig-Zag stitch, you just change your stitch length to barely anything.

I am not sure what to tell you to do... everything I've read over the last 24 hours tells me to (yet again) try a new needle. I've been using Singer needles (and most places say they are horrible quality - while others say not to use anything else in Vintage machines) - so I am going to try a Schmetz needle, as a last resort. Honestly, I think the timing on Mr Rocket is a hair off - so I am going to adjust his timing this morning too - if I don't beat him to death first. <--- Sorry tangent again. Anyways, then check and recheck to make sure your machine is threaded right. Then check and recheck to make sure your bobbin area (and feed dogs) are clear of any possible lint... Then you bang your head against the top of your machine... Come check Disboards... While giving your machine the evil eye... Then you do all of the above, say a few prayers and hope it works.

D~ <--- who is going to approach Mr Rocket with a lead pipe wrench - see if that does the trick????

G'luck with Mr. Rocket! Keep us posted on what the adjustments do -- if anything. And if he becomes terrified of any lead pipes.

 

[VBAndrea]

D~ I am sorry Mr. Rocket is giving you trouble. Don't know if you saw my post, but my new to me machine is worse at satin stitches than my current machine. It sews much better on knits though so it's a keeper for that!

My sister's cat is here visiting and he sews so not sure why your dog doesn't.

Yes, a satin stitch is a zig zag stitch with barely any stitch length and you just vary the width. The problem with my new machine the feed dogs aren't pulling the fabric right and then I either pull it too hard and it skips areas or it bunches up in areas.

And I am only taking a break because I just steam cleaned the floor and have to wait for it to dry before I do anything else. Good news is I hear dh vacuuming and steam cleaning the carpet upstairs I may have a little time to sew today after all!

 

[miprender]

D sorry to hear Mr.Rocket is giving you trouble.

I proposed the whole buying a vintage machine to DH and having him he rewire it and its a NO-GO He says he knows nothing about wiring a sewing machine but I told him your DH learned so he could too. Maybe I will just have to wear him down like I did to get my embroidery machine last year.

Okay - so I have to share a pic of the bag and wallet - I know y'all have seen them, but now they're in my hands and I'm so excited!

I also thought y'all might like to see what I've been working on during my exile . . . my Minnie Decoupage Jeans (and Wal-mart clearance shirt)

back! Great job on everything. Glad your button hole is working great.

I have an embroidery machine but not a digitizer so I really need to do the applique. Anyone have suggestions?

I am not a digitizer either so I buy all my designs. What type are you looking for? Heathersue who is also on the DISboards has the best designs on how they finish out but there are others too that do a great job.

And I am only taking a break because I just steam cleaned the floor and have to wait for it to dry before I do anything else. Good news is I hear dh vacuuming and steam cleaning the carpet upstairs I may have a little time to sew today after all!

I love when DH vacuums too

 

[VBAndrea]

Hey D~ did you notice how close I am to 1500 posts?????? I think I should spend all afternoon filling up your ptr so I can get that task taken care of today.

Let's see.....I need to think up some things I know about you that you haven't posted on your ptr. When is the next backyard movie night? I can post your address for everyone so we all can join you

 

[VBAndrea]

I love when DH vacuums too

He even steam cleaned the cat puke! So all I did was clean the downstairs (which I keep fairly clean anyway. Our bedroom upstairs I keep clean too. All I need to do is straighten out the kids' rooms and call it a day. Of course, dh used the last two eggs this morning so I have to run to the store so I can make something for dessert.