Thank you thank you thank you Beth! Beth gave me her old sewing machine and I got it up and running this weekend. I went to JoAnn Fabrics on Friday morning to get my startup tools; I got everything I needed plus 7 patterns for only $30! Thank goodness for sales (50% off everything, 99 cent patterns) and a 20% off coupon. My first project – napkins! I’ve been wanting cloth napkins for a while; who wants to keep buying napkins every month? I found a nice tan fabric (Mom, what kind was it again?) that doesn’t wrinkle, doesn’t have a front or back side, and is great for everyday napkins. I ended up getting 6 napkins out of a yard (three 18″ and three 15″). The first few lines ended up a little wiggly (haha) but sewing definitely came back to me quickly. Guess it’s like riding a bike. I’m really excited about all the different projects I can do now.
One of the first will be more napkins, and hopefully a table runner. I found this deep red/maroon fabric on clearance at JoAnn fabrics for $2/yard, and it also doesn’t wrinkle or have a front/back. This will be our first holiday table linens, and Brian even likes the colors and fabrics!
elizabethcarroll
You’re welcome! I’m so glad that the machine is working for you. Did you spend a lot of time oiling and cleaning?
And way to go on making cloth napkins – we’ve had ours for about a year now and you really do end up saving a lot of money by not buying paper napkins!
Jennifer
We only had to do a tiny bit of oiling and cleaning. The hardest part was remembering how to thread it! I think it’s only jammed once so far, which isn’t bad at all. If you find the manual, let me know! And did it come with any extra free or needles?
Jennifer
Oops, meant feet, not free.
elizabethcarroll
I don’t think I have any more of the needles for that machine, but I do think I have some feet. Somewhere. I will look for the manual and the feet tonight – I’m putting a reminder on my phone right now!
Jennifer
Thanks!
S
I believe the material you used for the napkins is a rayon/cotton blend. Now you have me itching to sew again. Maybe I’ll get some curtains made finally.