Sew Lacie, Sew!

About 5 years ago my mom got a new sewing machine and gifted me her old one.  What exactly am I supposed to do with this? I wondered.  I didn't know how to sew, so I packed it away and carried it with me through two moves.

Then a couple of weeks ago, I was shopping online for new diaper inserts for Little Bear.  They seemed so easy to make and so expensive to buy.  Suddenly that old sewing machine had some new appeal and I had the brilliant idea to sew my own diaper inserts!  Now keep in mind that the last time I used a sewing machine was 9th grade home ec. (yeah, it was still called home ec. back then and we "learned" how to cook and sew).  But no fear - if my mom and my grandma could do it, so could I!

Haha!  Figuring out that old sewing machine was not quite as easy as it looked...  I should point that I am using a Singer Scholastic 717 - it is older than I am and has no manual.  After many botched attempts at threading it, I finally found a diagram online.  But then every time I had to wind the bobbin, I couldn't get it threaded right again...  I was about ready to give up and by a new machine when my mom swooped in and helped me out.  Apparently the tension on the thread tends to come loose as you are sewing and needs to be continually re-adjusted - how was I supposed to know that?!?!?

After a week or so, I finally got the hang of it.  I can't say that I am really any good but its a start.  And practice makes perfect, right?  Or at least better!  I made a few wipes to get myself started and then I just dove right into my inserts.  They may not look the best, but they work and the important part was that I saved the money and I've discovered that I really do enjoy sewing.

So guess what!  In the near future you just might hear about my NEW sewing machine!  Every domestic goddess needs one, right?  ;o)