Getting my moms sewing machine! Help!!

[hikerman2000]

... My question to you experienced DIYers is this. What is a good beginners "project" that would introduce me to the world of thread-injecting?

Another question I have about sewing stuff is... Can I re-sew a patch I ripped on my polyester webbing with a standard machine? I was clipping my biner to the permanent loop on one of my whoopie slings while hanging from my converted swing set to hammock stand. Below is a picture of the rip...



I'm getting a pretty nice machine from mom, who used to be an avid seamstress, so I have a great teacher... My goal is to become proficient enough to earn a bit of $$$ on the side from my job as a HS science teacher. Nothing to live off, but enough to save in order to fund an eventual ALASKAN adventure;-) I'm giving myself a year or so before I try and make quality gear that I could sell...

Regardless of my success, I'm ready to dive in and have some patient fun...

Thx

[Dblcorona]

I would say stuff sacks or a hammock make great first projects.

Depends on the machine with the webbing. I sew webbing with mine no problem.

[hikerman2000]

I would say stuff sacks or a hammock make great first projects.

Depends on the machine with the webbing. I sew webbing with mine no problem.

Sounds logical. Was thinking along those lines... Thx!

[Ramblinrev]

Put an old nasty needle in the machine (not a new good one) and find some graph paper. Take all the thread off the machine (bobbin too) and follow the lines on the graph paper. The needle holes will tell you how good you are doing. When you can follow the graph paper to your satisfaction thread the beasty up with a new needle and follow the stripes on a old shirt or scrap fabric. If your mom is/was an avid seamstress she's got more scrap than you can shake a stick at.

Then move on to stuff sacks. That is the fastest way to master the learning curve if you want to move toward professional quality goods.

[hikerman2000]

Put an old nasty needle in the machine (not a new good one) and find some graph paper. Take all the thread off the machine (bobbin too) and follow the lines on the graph paper. The needle holes will tell you how good you are doing. When you can follow the graph paper to your satisfaction thread the beasty up with a new needle and follow the stripes on a old shirt or scrap fabric. If your mom is/was an avid seamstress she's got more scrap than you can shake a stick at.

Then move on to stuff sacks. That is the fastest way to master the learning curve if you want to move toward professional quality goods.

Yes! Totally makes sense... Can't wait! Graph paper here I come...

[dragon360]

First projects consisted of stuff sacks, ridgeline organizers, hammocks and ix quilts all around the same time. Great fun and pretty simple and straightforward projects.

[hikerman2000]

First projects consisted of stuff sacks, ridgeline organizers, hammocks and ix quilts all around the same time. Great fun and pretty simple and straightforward projects.

Indeed

[Big Jim Mac]

My first project was a cover for the machine. Then I made a ridge line organizer. Then a hammock. Then I sewed a second layer to my hammock and screwed it up, LOL. Have since made another hammock and a tarp. It gets easier!

[Detail Man]

Put an old nasty needle in the machine (not a new good one) and find some graph paper. Take all the thread off the machine (bobbin too) and follow the lines on the graph paper. The needle holes will tell you how good you are doing. When you can follow the graph paper to your satisfaction thread the beasty up with a new needle and follow the stripes on a old shirt or scrap fabric. If your mom is/was an avid seamstress she's got more scrap than you can shake a stick at.

Then move on to stuff sacks. That is the fastest way to master the learning curve if you want to move toward professional quality goods.

Cool idea! That will be some good practice for my daugther.

Hikerman -- When learning to sew, I find it helpful to think of it in two parts. One is learning to use the machine proficiently, and how to maintain it (cleaning, oiling, thread tension, etc). The second is how to assemble the parts for your desired outcome. They work together, obviously, but are distinct IMHO. Start with stuff sacs, hammocks, tarp skins, ridgeline organizers. From there the sky's the limit. Be patient.

[HURTHEART]

Pot Holders are easy to get started, round, square, triangle. Take something cotton, old shirts, sheets, towels. Make a sandwich, I use towels in the center of my potholders. Just sew around the edge and you will have a trusty little pot holder. Then add some Bias Tape to your next pot holder, which will be a challenge.

Now you are ready to sew on something more challenging, like nylon, stuff sacks are great.