Half Pint Pixie

Yes, I got a sewing machine! Woo hoo

No sooner was it unpacked than Littlepixie ran into the room with a pile of her mermaid fabric demanding a bag, so I made one, and it only took 10 minutes, unlike the hand-sewn ones which took me 1.5 hours! And so fast to make the handle tubes, ah bliss! I think I shall make up a few more crayon rolls next to practice my straight lines, they are pretty cool gifts, so I’m sure I will find someone to give them to.

I also whipped up a splendid black out cover for our bedroom window. I cut the blackout fabric to size then sewed velcro on all 4 sides, then stuck velcro onto the window frame et voila, instant custom easily removable blackout blind! And I hemmed some pyjama bottoms too, very industrious indeed.

I find this machine very easy to use, it’s a Toyota SPA15, I was so confused googling all the options, but then I read U-handbag’s review and I was instantly sold. It is very easy to use, and has little diagrams all over to help you if you get lost. There is also a handy flip book on the front of the machine in case you get stuck and the manual is so easy to follow. It’s also good at thicker stuff, the velcro was sticky backed so I was a little worried that it would be too much for the needle but it was fab.

Here’s a peek at the machine midway through the sewing the mermaid bag, yes, I was using the red thread that came with the machine as I was too lazy to thread a new bobbin!

I suppose I have a little advantage over other sewing machine newbies in that I had been extensively tutored in the art of sewing by my mum when I was a wee lass, only I had forgotten most of my sewing machine knowledge and had become very reliant on hand stitching. However, I did find that once I sat down at the machine, the hand moments and stuff-placing just came quite naturally, I suppose because I spent years watching mum doing it and “helping” out. I showed the machine to her and she thought it was great and shared fond memories of almost sewing my finger onto a dress she was making many years ago! I must keep LP away from it while I work!

I bought this with money that my parents had given me for my birthday (months ago) and with the remainder of my birthday cashola I ordered lots of fat quarters of fabric and lots more felt to increase my fabric stash. I think next on my list of things to make will be a patchwork skirt for LP, and perhaps one for me too. Also a few funky tote bags for my good self too would be fun. I’m off to look up more ideas now!

Happy Summer Solstice folks