This is the Train to Port Jefferson | Main | Random Bits
August 25, 2005
Stitching
My mother recently gave me a new sewing machine, a gift that I regarded with great glee. Until that point, I had housed her old contraption which easily weighed thirty pounds and whose bobbin no longer wound.
I didn't really use the old machine, partly because of the bobbin and partly because I never seemed to be able to thread the machine correctly. It made me feel like an idiot, or at least a middle school home economics reject. For years, my pants went unhemmed or hand stitched and many fun do-it-yourself projects passed by untouched. Therefore, you can imagine my excitement! I had new pants and they were too long! I had a new sewing machine! A project- Whooey!
Then, the realizations:
- I only had half a spool of brown thread and three quarters of a spool of orange.
- I did not own a seam ripper.
- I did not know how to use the sewing machine.
Due to the handicaps above, it took me forty-five minutes to rip the seams out of the jeans and another half hour to measure, cut, and pin the new length. Then I attacked the sewing machine, burying my nose in the instructions and talking myself through them aloud for nearly an hour. Where does the thread go? How do I get the bobbin to do that?
In the end, I successfully hemmed my jeans with the most crooked line of stitches that a non-blind person could create. I was so proud of myself for tackling and completing the sewing machine project that I didn�t even try the pants on (after all, I�d pulled them on and off at least five times in the hemming process), opting instead to carefully fold them for later use.
Two days later, I brought the pants to work so that I could change into them later. When the time came, I slid them on, swelling with pride, stood up, and went for the door. Something felt funny. My ankles felt chilly. I looked down and realized that I had successfully created a brand new pair of highwaters.
Luckily, this error enabled me to spend another evening ripping the seams out of said pants, taking them down, and re-hemming them at an acceptable yet not floor-dragging length. This time, the process took much less time, the seams are actually straight, and I no longer look like an pre-adolescent suffering from a growth spurt.
Sewing projects! Yay!
Posted by callalillie at August 25, 2005 3:52 AM | Fun Stuff
Hi, just came across your blog, i also have a sewing machine and first time was kinda hard, but now's so simple! Keep trying! ;~)
Posted by: Vero at August 25, 2005 9:59 AM
I used to sew alot of my clothes way back when. I enjoyed the whole ritual of choosing the fabric and the pattern, then pinning and cutting and finally sewing the garment. I still have a seam ripper somewhere and this cool chalk wheel for marking darts and pleat lines. Sewing is great therapy once you get in the groove.
Posted by: Vickie at August 25, 2005 3:15 PM
Once you get it threaded put numbered pieces of tape at each point where the thread goes. Then next time it will be a breeze!
Posted by: Bethany at August 25, 2005 5:27 PM
I was Googling for a source of Pilot G-TEC-C4s in the US - your post from June 17 last year came up. What is the "random stationery store across the street?" I mean, obviously it's a stationery store - can't be much worse than 49th st, wherever it is. Cheers!
Posted by: jen at August 25, 2005 11:32 PM
not, much calmer than 49th street. the random stationery store is on 8th avenue, between west 12th and jane, in that little strip of shops that includes art bar and the chocolate bar.
Posted by: corie at August 26, 2005 6:37 AM
I inherited my Grandmom's sewing machine. It was an old fashioned contraption with a hideaway.
I loved the smell of the oil she used to use to keep it in good condition. Alas, that thing go to old that the threading it became a hassle. The bobbin kept popping out and the plate was so loose, it's slide open every now and then.
Congrats on the new sewing machine.
Posted by: pantrygirl at August 26, 2005 1:02 PM
