Friday 10 November 2017

A Gift To Me From Me

I've been wanting to have a go at sewing on a sewing machine for a long time now. I've kept saying that I'll have a go on Eleanor's machine but I still haven't got round to it so when I saw an offer on a basic model I decided to grab the bull by the horns and treat myself. Perhaps having my own sewing machine will spur me on.


It doesn't do anything fancy but I think it will be good enough for me to learn on and I won't be nervous about breaking Eleanor's machine.


What with all the worry over my mum over the past couple of weeks, it's still sitting in its box but I'm raring to have a go with it. I had a few lessons at school where I used a sewing machine but I can't remember a thing from those lessons now, I don't even know how to thread the thing so I'm going to be starting from scratch, but there's plenty of tutorials online, I've got a few books, and Eleanor will be able to help me once she's home from university.

I've got a very healthy yarn stash but nothing in the way of fabric so I think I'm going to have to make a few purchases.

Treat myself to something I really want is on my 50 Before 50 list so this little gift to myself fits the bill and I can cross off number 42.

Thank you for all your good wishes for my mum. Unfortunately, she ended up having to spend her 83rd birthday on Tuesday in hospital but she was allowed home on Wednesday. She's still very poorly having lots of ailments now, and she'll never be well again but I'm sure she'll be happier and comfier in her own home where we can spoil her and give her lots of love.

48 comments:

  1. Glad your mum is at least out of hospital, being in your own home is better if you don't need medical attention.
    Good luck with your new sewing machine, mine is only a basic one too, but it does what i want to use it for. Can't wait to see what you make :-)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. My mum's feeling much better about being in her own home, I think people do recover quicker in their own surroundings. I really don't know where to start with my sewing machine but I'm sure I'll have lots of fun finding out.

      Delete
  2. I'm sure you'll get on really well with your new sewing machine, Jo. It looks perfect for you!

    Continued good thoughts coming your way for your mum. Belated happy birthday to her. :o)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I don't know about it being a basic machine, it still looks very complicated to me, but I'm sure I'll get the hang of it with practice. Thank you, it was a shame she had to spend her birthday in hospital but at least she's home now.

      Delete
  3. That's the same model machine as I have. The only problem I have found is that it's a bit lightweight and sometimes moves as I'm using it. Other than that, it's been a good buy, and I do quite a lot of sewing.
    Sorry to hear about your Mum being poorly, but I agree, there's nowhere quite like home.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Knowing you've got the same machine is good enough for me, you produce some beautiful things with it. I shall have to watch out for it moving, perhaps putting some kind of gripper on the bottom would help. My mum's definitely much better in her own home, she was very confused in hospital which didn't help matters.

      Delete
  4. I'm pleased your mum is home, it is the best place to recover. Enjoy the sewing machine, it's fun to create.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. My mum's glad to be home, and we're glad to have her home. I'm a bit daunted getting started with the sewing machine but I'm sure it'll be fun once I get going.

      Delete
  5. Threading the needle is my problem nowadays. Can't see the eye with or without glasses!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I'm the same, I've got a needle threader otherwise I'd be totally lost.

      Delete
  6. Oh well done you! What a great gift to give yourself, I'm sure you will feel much better having your own machine, I really hope you enjoy learning and playing with it and making a new stash for fabric, oh and threads and lol. Glad your Mum is home and feeling a little more comfy xcx

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I think I'd have been too nervous to use Eleanor's machine in case I broke it, I feel better about having my own. I need to buy some fabric before I get started and I think it'll be fun choosing some lovely designs. It's good to have my mum home again.

      Delete
  7. The same model that I bought last year second hand. http://clickyneedles.blogspot.co.uk/2016/10/well-i-wasnt-expecting-that.html
    Really easy to use, have fun with it Jo. CN x

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I remember you getting your machine, I'm glad you're enjoying using it. I got my machine for just £40, it was reduced from £80 to £70 and then I was given a £30 incentive offer so I really couldn't say no. I can't wait now to have a go with it.

      Delete
  8. A real bargain buy, don't worry about how basic it is it will serve you well. I have a fancy pants machine but wouldn't part with my mechanical basic one, the only thing that I miss is the automatic needle up or down. I learnt to sew on a hand cranked Singer, with a shuttle instead of a bobbin, I made all my clothes with it for several years.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I think anything more sophisticated would just confuse me so this machine will be ideal to learn on. It was a bargain, I'd have been willing to pay full price for it but it's nice getting something at a knock down price.

      Delete
  9. Enjoy playing with your sewing machine. Will bring you lots of fun. Glad to hear your mum is home from hospital. Best wishes :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I'm looking forward to giving sewing a go with my new machine, though I need to make a bit of time, I have so many hobbies that I need never get bored. I'm so pleased that my mum's home at last.

      Delete
  10. Glad she was able to come home, it always feels better. Good luck with the sewing machine. I don't use mine a lot, but I'm glad I have it.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It was good to have her home again, she's much happier now. I'm hoping that I can get on with my sewing machine, I think it's a good skill to have even if I don't decide to take it up as a hobby.

      Delete
  11. Your sewing machine is the perfect little treat to yourself. I hope you get the opportunity to get some good use out of it soon.
    It's lovely that your mum is back home. I'm sure she will be much more comfortable than in hospital. X

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I think it does perk you up a bit when you treat yourself, especially when you get a bargain. I'm looking forward to getting acquainted with it now. My mum was so glad to get home, the ward she was on wasn't the happiest of wards so it's good that she's back in her own home.

      Delete
  12. So pleased that your mum is out of hospital, I think being in your own home is better, you just feel happier somehow. Continued good thoughts for her ...

    Good for you for treating yourself - enjoy your new sewing machine.

    All the best Jan

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you. I know my mum's already much happier since she's been home so I think it's the best thing for her. I'm looking forward to trying out my new sewing machine now, and I'll enjoy buying a little fabric too.

      Delete
  13. That's a mighty fine treat - A basic one is really all you need. The more bells and whistles the more complicated it is and the more that can (and will) go wrong with it.

    You won't believe it but I just purchased a sewing machine yesterday - not for myself but for my daughter. It's a portable sewing machine that is apparently perfect for tweens to learn on as it's a proper machine but it has a guard around the needle so that fingers cannot get underneath it, which is, of course, my main concern. You know what I find sort of odd? That we seem to have many of these strange coincidences!

    Oh, I'm so sorry for your mum and your family - she's very lucky to have a good support network around her. Sending good thoughts across the Atlantic...

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I really wanted something basic, I know I'll just get myself in a tizz if I start trying to use anything more complicated. The coincidences and similarities between us are amazing. I wish I'd learnt to sew as a youngster, that's one of the reasons I encouraged Eleanor, even though I can't sew myself. Eleanor took a GCSE in Textiles at school so we bought her a machine, but she never really gets it out these days, she's been busy studying since then and when she does have free time there always seems to be other things she wants to do. I'm sure it's something she'll come back to though. Thank you, it's such a worry with my mum now, she really isn't well at all now, but at 83 she's getting on so we can't really expect much else.

      Delete
  14. Good news about your Mum and good news about the sewing machine too.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I'm glad to have my mum home again. I've been saying I'm going to have a go at sewing for a long time now so I'm finally going to give it a go.

      Delete
  15. Ooh, how exciting!!!!! I've got a surprise for you too, but you'll have to wait till December and I'm not saying anything more.(big grin on face). I'll email you and big hugs to your Mum. Take care.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I'm intrigued now. Thank you, my mum's certainly much happier now she's home.

      Delete
  16. I’m glad that your mum is home. I find threading the needle is the hardest thing about using a sewing machine. The eye is always too tiny and the thread far too thick. :-)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I'm glad my mum's home too, she's much happier in her own home. I'm terrible at threading needles, I use a needle threader which makes it a little easier.

      Delete
  17. Have fun and happy sewing. I'm sure that your mum will be relieved to be back home. xx

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I'm sure I'll have lots of fun on my sewing adventures. My mum's glad to be home again, I'm sure she'll feel much better in her own home.

      Delete
  18. I’m so pleased you’ve treated yourself, something nice amongst all the worry. My sewing skills are very basic, I need to practise more. It’s so hard watching our parents get older, but always better being at home around familiar surroundings xx

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I must admit that it was a bit of a pick me up amongst the stresses of life. It's funny how people age at different rates. I'm lucky to still have my parents here in their 80s, I know some people aren't so lucky, but it's still hard when you see them start to fade.

      Delete
  19. Enjoy using your new sewing machine!

    I'm glad your mum is back home. Take care.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I'm sure that learning to sew will be an enjoyable process. I'm glad that my mum's back home too, she's much happier now she's out of hospital.

      Delete
  20. Ahh, your poor mum. I do hope she is doing better now she's home, it's so much better than being in hospital. Glad you treated yourself, I'm sure you'll master the machine, happy sewing!xxx

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. My mum's definitely more comfortable and at ease at home than she was in hospital, which is the main thing. I'm happy with my little purchase, it's nice to embark on a new hobby.

      Delete
  21. We have a local sewing workshop that runs "all you need to know to sew" classes for people who are just getting to grips with their sewing machines so perhaps you could find somewhere like that locally? Good for you for treating yourself! xx

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Such a class would be ideal for me. I don't even know how to thread a sewing machine so I will really be starting from scratch. I'm looking forward to getting stuck in though.

      Delete
  22. I'm sorry to hear your mom is having such a hard time. I hope she does better now that she's at home. Your new sewing machine looks great! Good for you treating yourself, you deserve it and you're going to have such a good time with it!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. My mum's certainly more comfortable at home, so that's a good thing. I'm looking forward to getting started with my new sewing machine, it's exciting to be starting on a new hobby.

      Delete
  23. I'm sure you'll be whizzing up new makes in no time at all. Looking forward to following you on your new sewing adventures.
    Lisa x

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I'm not sure I'll be whizzing, I'm feeling a little apprehensive about using a machine, but I'm sure these feelings will disappear when I give it a go.

      Delete
  24. Replies
    1. I'm really pleased with it. I'm looking forward to learning my way around it now.

      Delete