Who else knits or crochets or sews?

[Ceph]

I do some quilting here and there....I have also made dolls and embroidered, and knitted...I pretty much like anything to do with the needle...here are a few of the things I have done....

I was making this for my ex-boyfriend (he loved spider man), but now I think once I am done with it I will make a small one that is similiar only a square for myself and then sell this one....its warm and nice though....I just dont think I am much of a spidey girl...lol.

(all those pins...my hands were raw and bleeding by the time I was done...soooooo painful)




It's hard to see on the top layer, but I am hand quilting the webs into this one...it takes a huuuuge amount of time, but it looks awsome...this is the first quilt I have ever worked on




This is something I have made the pieces for but have not yet put together...I figure when I am out of school I might have a little more time It's prolly going to be going to a friend of mine's kids

[DrKym]

Beautiful Ceph!

[critter crazy]

Since you all seem to be experts here, i would like to know what is the best Brand/type of sewing machine to strat on. I have always done all of my sewing by hand, but would like to buy a sewing machine! I have used one before, but it was years ago, so I need a pretty straight forward one, that is easy to use. I have seen tons of Digital ones, what are they for? Pardon me for being dense, but I realy have more clue!

[DrKym]

Maggie ,
A good simple Singer or a Brother are both fine machines for a reasonable price. Walmart carries both and you can get a plain machine for around 100.00.

Once you are way comfortable with them, you can always upgrade to other types.

[critter crazy]

Maggie ,
A good simple Singer or a Brother are both fine machines for a reasonable price. Walmart carries both and you can get a plain machine for around 100.00.

Once you are way comfortable with them, you can always upgrade to other types.

Okay realy stupid question, but how easy are they to thread?? I have a very hard time threading needles, which is one of the reasons I would like a sewing machine. My problem is, I have no sight in my right eye, and becaus of this I have no Depth perception, so I am hoping they are slightly easier. i have one of those Needle threader thingies, but even that can be a challenge.

[DrKym]

Okay realy stupid question, but how easy are they to thread?? I have a very hard time threading needles, which is one of the reasons I would like a sewing machine. My problem is, I have no sight in my right eye, and becaus of this I have no Depth perception, so I am hoping they are slightly easier. i have one of those Needle threader thingies, but even that can be a challenge.

The one I bought and was still under 150 has an auto threader on it so I dont thread needles either as my eyes are really bad also!
(20/400 in left eye and 20/200 in right) and since I dont always wear my contacts................needless to say the auto threader was a must for me LOL

[emily_the_spoiled]

Start with the "basic" machines and you can always get the fancy ones later. But the basic machines aren't so basic anymore. They will do button-holes, zippers, etc. I remember when all of that stuff was not available on the starter machine

[Daisy and Delilah]

The Singer or Brother from Wal-Mart is by far the best way to start. That's what I did. Alot of the new machines have needle threaders on them(although I don't care for mine and don't use it). CritterCrazy: get yourself a little magnifying glass to see the needle better or wear the magnifying glasses(a must for me). Those machines aren't too hard to thread. I think you'll be fine.
A little tip when threading a needle: instead of wetting the end of the thread, wet the eye of the needle. Your thread will go right in. It works for me every time.
Alot of machines are digital these days and more expensive(usually). My Bernina has that and it's just a feature for changing stitches, displaying what modes you're in on a screen, etc. Basically, it's just computerized(hence the higher price) Some machines of course are digital embroidery machines. Most of the time, very costly, but they do awesome needlework automatically. Good luck and have fun!!

[Ceph]

I use the singer from walmart...it covers pretty much everything I need...though I prefer to do the actual quilting by hand.