Mariannes Motifs

Try Sewing!

Last year my mom gave me an awesome birthday present - a new sewing machine.  I love it!  This baby is easy to thread, works like a charm, and threads its own needle.  As someone who learned on really old machines (like think treadle 0ld) this machine is like a modern miracle. 

My favorite thing it does however, is the machine embriodery.  Here is a bib I embellished today and gave to my housekeeper for her baby grandson.

So here is some advice from me - if you are thinking of sewing, give it a try.  Especially embroidery which is so dead simple.  The only hard part is learning your machine.

 

 

The Wallet Factory is Open

I guess it's more of the small zipper pouch factory.  I've  made 7 of these suckers so far and I want to do at least one more.  These are for my Mother in Law, Neice and Brother in law.

I've gotten faster, but it still seems like every few has something wonky.  I won't show you the one I had to toss out it was a bit of a mutant.  The tan one is made of a Goodwill find shirt that was made of a nice tan check weave cloth.  Almost looks like a linen version of a ripstop nylon.  I thought that would be nice and masculine for a guy.

The L bag is from French Provencal fabric which I bought from a lovely online shop called French Connections.  They also have African fabrics and I really want to get some of those.  The bright monkey fabric is from Joann, and I thought it was cute for a 9 year old girl.

And Mom - if you read this far -- I made one for you, too, but it's not blogged cause I know you read this and I didn't want to spoil the surprise.  French Provencal, of course!

First ever Quilting Project: Mug Rugs

What are Mug Rigs you might ask? They are something I between the size of a coaster and a placemat intended to hold your drink and a snack.

The  one on top was my first effort, and I really had a hard time with the bias tape border.  The second one is better I read some tutorials and used clips instead of pins.  I also used 1/2 inch bias tape instead of 1//4 inch.  Smarter. It's hard to get all the layers into a skinny bias tape like concealed hinges.

I am going to make 2 more of these puppies and have a little set of coaster thingies.  A nice way to start quilting.

Did Some Sewing

My lovely and talented mom send me the sewing machine I wanted as an early birthday present.  Thank you Mom!

I immediately had that thing unpacked and wound a bobbin, threaded the thread and got sewing. I finished the patchwork bag that I started on the old machine:

Then I made this bucket out of a pair of levis I got at goodwill. This used the legs, and I am going to make one of those bum bags out of the top.

Both these pattern/tutorials came from the web - I have the sites linked on my Pinterest board Learning Quilting.   The Brother SE 400 had no problem sewing through denim.  (I got some denim needles). 

The machine is very easy to use.  So far I have tried straight stiches, zig zag, decorative stitches, and even made a 1 color embroidery design.  You'll see that later after I fix up the little bag its being made into.  I love the way the machine automatically threads the needle and cuts the thread.  I feel very spoiled.