Thursday, December 20, 2007

Sewing for Dummies Part II

New rule: If you are really a dummy, maybe you should not be sewing.

Ekkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkk................This is what happens to dummies! (I am saying this jokingly, I am not a dummy at all, I am just not a seamstress---YET!)



I had designed a sympathy card for my sil and I went to use my very new sewing machine and it went completely haywire on me. I tried re threading it (didn't work) but that is where my knowledge ends. Up until now, I have gotten by with the few tips my mil taught me....now I am gonna have to actually read the book that came with it! (Gasp!)

I did the one line of stitching (omgoodness!!) All the other mangled messes on this cardstock are the attempts to fix the threading....no use.
I gave up and designed this instead:



I wanted to make a card to let her know I am thinking of her and I love this sentiment from Stampin Up! The background growths are stamped in choc chip and lightly sponged around and I added some white gel pen highlights. The front image is colored with SU Markers (chocolate chip and mustard.) After edging the main part in brown, I attached it to the sentiment piece using dimensionals (SU! version of pop dots). I added pearl accents to the flowers and pierced along the top (instead of sewing!)

Materials used: Stamps-Stampin' Up! (Garden Silhouettes, Small Sayings); Cardstock- mustard, cocoa, vanilla; ink-choc chip, mustard; paper piercing tool; pearl accents (K & Company); dimensionals (SU!); white signo gel pen (SU!); sponge.

I hope she likes it.

I also wanted to share a quick bag I altered and used my sewing machine for (before it's demise).



I picked up these bags at Target--I loved the size and colors (olive and a burgundy color). I used this tree sticker from Westrim Crafts (Paper Bliss). All I had to do was sew the back two panels together to match the colors in the tree. Then I adhered the tree to the mats and then to the bag and added the hemp and button closure.

Whola! Easy and cute!

Thanks for stopping by!

25 comments:

Susan (susiestampalot) said...

OH DEAR!!! don't give up on the poor baby! (even though plan b card was greatness). it looks like you have a tension problem. maybe in the bobbin holder. mine does that to me every once in a while, but just for the first few stitches. i adjust the tension (a little goes a long way) and it usually straightens itself out. eek!! it's not dead, but good luck!

Unknown said...

I CAN'T STOP LAUGHING... that you posted that photo of your sewing debacle... that has happened to me so many times...I'm so glad that you posted that!!!!
LOVE the sympathy card you made, it's absolutely beautiful and that sentiment is perfect! -rae

Dawn Easton said...

Your card you ended up with looks FAB! The little gift bag too! Wish we had a Target here...so many great finds!
I was thinking it was your tension settings too. Mine does that more often than I like...that's probably why I barely use it...hehe!
Happy holidays!

Lynn Mercurio said...

lololol...how funny. I agree that your tension needs adjusting...anyone who has done any sewing at all has had this problem before. Your other creations are, as usual, FABULOUS. Thanks so much for the morning giggle.

Anonymous said...

Both of these are darling Cammie! I am LOL at your sewing at the top! This is exatly why I faux sew..EVERYTHING! lol. I broke my lil' sewing machine! LOL! ANyway, love the cards! Merry Christmas!!

Anonymous said...

I sew just like you. LOL These machines can be very irritating sometimes. I always have trouble with the tension.

Your card turned out fabulous without the help of the machine.

Thanks for making my day, now I know I am not the only one who does things like this.

Anonymous said...

LOL, my first sewing machine would do that constantly, until I just learned to sew holding onto the thread (up near the spool), to control the tension with my fingers. When I FINALLY took it to the repair shop, in total desperation, the woman LAUGHED at me and told me I was threading it wrong. Make sure your presser foot is in the UP position before you start to thread the machine. I'm a self-taught sewer, and I didn't know that was a rule... I felt like a big dummy, but you can be sure I never made that mistake again!

Good luck. I'm still not a great sewer, but I'm getting better!

Anonymous said...

s like your bottom bobbin was messed up. If rethreading didn't work then it might be that or it might be that your tension know was a little out.
Happy sewing. It happens to the best of us. I've been sewing since I was 12...that's 14 years now and it still happens to me once in a while.

Shannan Teubner said...

LOL I totally can sympathize. This happened to me in the middle of my huge Christmas card order and I cussed a lot. My bobbin wasn't wound properly and I hadn't threaded the machine right. So I found some pre-wound bobbins at Walmart in Black & White (YAY!) and learned how to thread the machine and good as new!! You can do it!!!!

Elizebeth said...

That is why I dont like sewing, it irks me when the machine goes haywire!

Your plan B is gorgeous and Im sure your SIL will love it and appreciate all the thought that you put into it.

Your little treat bag is darling!

tyrymom29 said...

THat looks like something that would happen to me ALso ...lol DOnt give up !!!!!
That Card is Beautiful !!!!!

Anonymous said...

It is your tension. I am a seamstress. The technical term for someone who sews. Your tension looks like it is too tight. Try adjusting that. Hope it goes better. I have also been told that paper will dull your needle faster than fabric. Try a new needle if you have made alot of cards with the sewing machine. Just a thought. Love your creations.
Dawn B.

Anonymous said...

Ha ha ha, this is so good! I don't feel so bad. The first time I used my sewing machine, this was what happened. I felt so embarrassed! Then I was told that I need to change the tension settings and bla bla bla and so then I had to read the manual and tutorials on how to sew. I can use different stitches better now but every time I whip out my machine after not using it for awhile I come to this mess. Ahh...

I love your other cards though!!

Jessim said...

This post made me laugh because I just read the exact same thing on a sewing board!
http://sewing.patternreview.com/cgi-bin/sewingclasses/board.pl?t=27148

The cards you did end up making look LOVELY!

Rita said...

Been there, done that girl! You had me in stitches, I laughed so hard almost peed! Like you my SIL taught me how to sew, I only do straight lines nothing fancy, but I do make all my own curtains, as long as its straight lines. I can't tell you how many times my thread gets loose like that & doesn't sew right. So I'm with you there!

Rita said...

Oh by the way I like the way your second card turned out, very pretty! She will luv it! Good luck!

Kim Mraz said...

LOL about the stitching...I am such a sewtard! I have SO been there :)

Your projects are fabulous!!!

Charmaine (CharmWarm) said...

I'm sure youre SIL will LOVe it! It's beautiful!

mnhyrkas said...

well it looks like your machine once worked, so I'm guessing that it's a threading problem either on top or in the bobbin. Another point to consider, I used to think that the thinnest size needle would work the best on paper when in fact I found that the thicker needle worked better. Hope you can get everything straightened out!

Anonymous said...

I have to admit, I got the biggest kick out of your photo LOL That is hilarious and one of the funniest posts ever! I've been there/done that so many times! I would first make certain you have your machine threaded properly. If my machine does this, I usually have it threaded wrong, or my bobbin is in backwards or not wound evenly. Whatever happened, I'm sure you'll get the hang of it in time. We all started at the beginning too:) Good luck!
the plan B card is beautiful! Maybe that first sewing disaster was meant to happen:)

Joan said...

That card is cracking me up -- the stitches are leaving me in stitches!! I am sooo glad to see someone else struggling! Of course your sympathy card and tree bag rock!

Jovita @ Inky Impressions said...

Hey it looks like my kind of sewing... lol

Don't give up, I'm sure you'll have it all worked out in no time. The card you designed is absolutely fabulous.

Anonymous said...

Cammie, this is exactly why I do not try to use my sewing machine! I am not a seamtress and cannot use mine, so it sits not being used for several years...LOL at your photos...Merry Christmas, gf!

Pinky

Godelieve said...

Well, I think this unexpected result of your sewing looks great!! I really like that you used it on a card!

stampqueen said...

Oh boy - I resemble that - my sewing skills anyway :) Love your stuff - doing some catching up after the Holidays.
Tera