I just started sewing recently and I'm learning with my grandma's old sewing machine. I wanted to make a little quilt for my cats to try to learn some stuff and practice lines. It's not perfect but my cats like it so it's a win!
I got some practice piecing, using batting, trying to quilt straight lines... I also made the binding myself and hand stitched it on.
Both cat approved!
Unfortunately I didn't do the seam math right and was kind of making up my own pattern and it's way too small for the cards lmao
But I think I got the technique for the card pockets down. Just need to start with a bigger strip of fabric.
I was kind of nervous about trying a bag with more things I've never done but I saw this video where someone said part of them wishes they could go back to being brand new when everything is just learning and trying and there isn't expectation that it's going to come out perfect. It reminded me that part of learning is mistakes.
This is made with dollar tree dish mats and fat quarters. The outside pocket is from a matching kitchen towel. It has pockets inside too!
I learned a lot about bag construction and pockets. I also learned about sewing through many layers and going slow. My needle kept getting stuck in the foot when doing lots of layers so I switched to my zigzag foot and kept doing straight stitch and it worked well
The hardest part was probably the top stitch around the bag which looks good on the outside but on the inside I messed up the lining a bit so now I know to watch for that next time.
I also realized I need to buy way more webbing than I did my first time since the one I bought was exactly enough for this bag with none left over lol
I just want to share my story with some people who might appreciate it and some pictures of what I made.
I have wanted to learn to sew for a long time but never did. I do crochet a lot (which I learned fromy grandma) and I do other crafts like cross stitch.
Before my grandma passed away I kept wanting to ask her to teach me but never did because when I was maybe 13 years old I remember sitting down and trying to use my Grandma's sewing machine and had no idea what I was doing. It made a bunch of noise and stopped working and she scolded me for breaking her machine when she was in the middle of an impossible project that she needed to finish that week.
I basically never tried again after that. I brought up the story years later (I was 30 at this point) and grandma laughed and apologized and said her sewing machine was in storage and when the time came I should make sure to grab it and learn.
Well, that time came a few years later. I did get the sewing machine but was afraid of breaking it and it sat in my closet for two years. Finally I said enough is enough and pulled it out and found the manual online and watched some videos.
I made this bag and scrunchie with dollar tree fabric on Grandma's sewing machine with her thread and the bobbin that was already in there and it was like she was there with me. When the bobbin ran out and I had to wind a new one it was like she was saying it was time to learn that step.
I miss her so much and I feel so lucky to have this connection with her.
I added pictures of the bag and the sewing machine
Oh, ignore how grungy the ironing board is. That was hers too and I can't bring myself to replace it lmao
I really want to make a patchwork skirt as my first big project but since we don't have any good sources of cheap fabric here (no thrift stores or big box stores) I'm getting ready to go through my closet for old clothing I can sacrifice to the cause and mix with my dollar tree fat quarters