First sewing project

Julianne made this.

I was going to teach the girls to use my new sewing machine this summer but time got away from us. Both girls had used my old machine a couple years ago to sew pillowcases but it (my 25 year old Singer) was not something they were comfortable with, nor had they ever used a pattern to make anything. This project was to get their feet wet on how to use a pattern and to see if they found my new machine easier to use than the old one.

I think it was a success!

My new machine is a Husqvarna "Huskystar" (click for photo) and one of the features that convinced me I needed it was that it has a sliding speed control. No more fast-stop-fast sewing. That made the whole process much less stressful for Julianne. She learned to use a seam ripper, too, which is a normal part of sewing whenever I make something, but I don't think she needed it too many times.

She seems excited about sewing and I think she is pretty comfortable with pattern layout, getting the pattern straight on the grain, cutting, and following the pattern instructions. Now it's Allison's turn. I don't know if she'll get hers started before the holidays or not but I'll be sure to post a picture of her tote when she is done.