If you remember, on January 16, I posted about some projects in progress. One of them was a pair of pajamas for Om. Well, I finished them today. The pattern of the fabric sort of obscures the shape- the legs are folded up, just to fit them in the picture. Any further pictures will probably have a body in them. Om has them on, and says they feel good.
So what's the big deal about a simple pair of pajamas? Why did they take me so long to finish? Previously (in a "past life"), I could knock out a couple of pairs of pajamas in an afternoon. Well, the big deal is what you see in the next picture.
This is the Janome Memory Craft 9000 sewing machine. It's my introduction to electronic sewing machines. I'm sort of buying it from a friend. The "sort-of" comes in because I haven't paid her anything yet. I'm finding it frustrating to learn how to do the simplest things... things I could practically do with my eyes closed on any machine made in the previous 120 years.
Now, everything about sewing machines has changed. I decided I needed a really simple project, one that wouldn't be a total crisis if I messed it up. I've had to look up how to do everything... just to reverse at the end of a seam to hold the stitching is a project. How do I zig-zag? How do I wind the bobbin? How does this one thread? How do I change the stitch length?
I can do all of those things now, although some of them are not the comfortable, easy movements they've always been. I think I'm going to keep the machine... at some point I want to learn how to use the fancy stuff... but I don't want simple stitching to be such a trial. Sigh. But I need a sewing machine. I've beat three of them into the ground and don't have a single one that works, unless I keep this one.
 | See Projects in Progress |
Well...dang...I love the crafty side of you!:)
ReplyDeleteEverything is digital! I guess that's progress?!
ReplyDeleteAll our new fancy gadgets were supposed to save us time. I don't think that promise ever panned out.
BTW, nice end result!
ReplyDeleteI bet Om is warm and toasty in his new PJs! :-)
Wow, they look wonderful! Electronic gadgets...arrrrgghhhh! ;0
ReplyDeleteThis blog reminds me of my Grandmother who brought a family of 14 up cooking on an old range this had an open fire with a couple of ovens. When all the family had more or less left the range was taken out and a new tiled fireplace put in my Gran was in her 70s at this time, a new electric cooker was installed and after reading the instructions she never cooked again, this strange gadget frightened the life out of her :) it must happen to every generation. Sorry to have babbled on must be getting old my self :)
ReplyDeleteThe jammies look great … and for what it's worth, Janome seems to have an excellent rep among many sewing geeks.
ReplyDeleteEnjoy your re-learning curve!
Beautiful says she will keep her Singer 401A Slantomatic which she has had for fifty years. (I even offered to buy her a new machine.)
ReplyDeleteWhat a great job. looks good.
ReplyDeleteHm--collar, cuffs, and fabric to be matched--seems like you did a fine job in spite of the "digitals".
ReplyDeleteI'm attempting to learn my new computer stuff along with skype and a new digital phone system--and it isn't easy. There are wonderful features, but many is the time where I'd rather use a string and two cans for a phone. Lin's Mom
the pajamas look good. I enjoy sewing occasionally, not that I'm any expert at it but still enjoy it. The machine I have is one that my aunt bought me when I first got married way back in 1982. I would love one of the newer machines but I would probably also have a tough time learning it
ReplyDeleteJean- good... because it shows up pretty often!
ReplyDeleteFerd- no kidding- how is using a PDA faster than a notebook and pencil?
Glynis- thanks. I'm good with technology, but I don't like it when it slows me down.
Carol- Love your story! Don't apologize. I think I totally understand your grandmother.
Rose- yes it does. In fact, I've been oogling a Bernina for years, but saw a Janome demo a couple of years ago and was quite impressed. I will end up with this one just because it's the one available.
vanilla- if it's working well, absolutely! You have to really need/desperately want some of the fancy features to justify the electronics (and their incumbent failures)
Auntie E- Thanks!
Hi Phyl- well it wasn't that hard. It's a soft collar, no cuffs, and I didn't bother to match the print for pjs!
Ann- If you don't need a new one or desperately want the embroidery functions, stick with a mechanical one.
I remember those days when I used to be practicing with a typewriter. LOL
ReplyDelete