Singer 8763 vs (vintage model) Singer 221

I'm having super conflicting feelings about my new sewing machine. I love it and it works 800 times better than the vintage one I've been using, up until this evening. However, I honestly feel like I'm cheating on my old sewing machine.

I know that sounds a bit absurd, however it was my first sewing machine and my grandma had given it to me years ago. It was made in 1964, has the perplexity to do only one stitch, but is a quality and dependable machine. It is made out of metal, unlike the 8763 model which seems to be mostly plastic.

Then again, the 8763 model has more settings than I could even imagine, I had no idea you could design shapes into your sewing, it's incredible. There is not just one, but two cutters on the machine, and it sews like it is gliding on butter, so smooth!

I have moved model 221 over to a table on an alternate wall, but am still keeping it out, on display, where it should be, for all to see, and gawk at perhaps :).

8763 is now resting on my leather topped vintage desk, waiting to finish the dress 221 had originally started, before he could no longer continue because of zipper foot complications.


I love them both.
I cannot and will not choose a favorite.



8763:

221:

Sew-on snaps: no more bra line

Target's summer dress collection has been extraordinary this season! In just the strapless summer dresses collection (with pockets) I have obtained all, but 2 styles! They're super cute, with pockets, of course; and are the perfect length. I find that most dresses from stores like Forever21 are too short, to be worn with class (personal option).
Anyways, these dresses are great, except for the fact that my strapless bra always hangouts the back.

Solution: Sew-on snaps. I sewed two on my bra 6.5 inches apart, no specific rhyme or reason to the distance, and then on the inside of my dress at the same distance.

Mistake: First time I sewed on the 'female' side of the snap, I sewed it in backwards, so I had to cut them out and re-sew, luckily there was only two snaps, so it took half a minute.

Thoughts and future suggestions: On my next strapless dress, I will sew the 'female' end of the snap down about 3/4th's of a centimeter, in order to make sure the back of my bra isn't showing. (Previous trial: I sewed right at the top hem and it was a tad-bit too high and still showed bra when sitting).

Overall: good lesson on snap placement. Useful when wearing a summer dress with an outrageous colored strapless bra. Easy fix.

Advancing: dress making

Trying my hand at dress making this evening. I figure, since I've mastered apron making, I need to move on to the next level, which is obviously dress making (own opinion).

The pattern definitely looks much more challenging, however I believe once I get it all cut out and pinned, it will start to come together nicely.

I was unaware I was going to start this project tonight, therefore I don't have specific fabric for a dress I'd actually wear out. This may just have to be a practice round. Also, I have found that there are an extreme lack of sizes in dresses, so I'm going to have to fudge around with it myself and hopefully not ruin it completely.

I have that beautiful dressform I have blogged about before, which is quite nice, however it is too big for my body type. I've seen a few things on pinterest about making a dressform to fit your exact body measurements, I think I may need to make that my next project.

Here we go.

First step: choosing which pattern I want to use

Second step: cutting out said pattern

Step three: pin pattern in place

Step four: cut out fabric

Step five: darting

Step six: basting the zipper

Step seven: sew zipper in with zipper foot (so easy!!)

Step eight: pin and sew dress back and front together. -- this is where problems came into play: I got stuck in the dress because my booty was too big for the pattern. I had to add a side panel in so the dress would fit. Major learning moment. Measure twice, cut once, believe the tape measure. I'll have to spruce it up to take attention away from the new panel.
Image: what the dress should have looked like (seam ripped out on opposite side)

 

step nine:

Quick addition: double layer pocket (robe)

I recently purchased this super cute robe, on sale, at Kohls, the only problem was, it didn't have a pocket. Being that it was such a great deal, I purchased it anyways.
I made a trip to hobby lobby this afternoon and obtained 1/3 yard of black lace. (I've been needing lace for other projects, however they don't require an excessive amount). I was able to use my 40% off coupon and it only cost $1.92.

I had a pocket design from a previous sewing pattern, however I knew I wanted a deep pocket, so I just freehand-pinned and cut the lace. I ended up making it an open double layer pocket, just for fun.

End results: Plenty of room for my cell phone and whatever else I may need to carry.

Total time: 5 minutes

The lighting wasn't very good, I may have to snap another shot tomorrow.

Favorite detail: the lace around the wrists

Before :

After:

Start the oven: Porcelain mugs (Color print)

After writing on porcelain mugs, we baked them in the oven to see if the theory was correct. We did a 'best friends' theme and incorporated our common traits and favorite things into our design. As a final touch we inscribed the date into the bottom of the mug.

Results: mugs turned out perfectly

Obstacle: While writing on mugs, print smears depending on where you put your hand/hold the mug

Advantage: While writing on the mug, you have room to mess up and start over again without stressing out. All you need is a wet wash cloth and the permanent marker washes right off

Cooking: 350 degrees, for 30 minutes

Washing: Hand wash only, will partially rub off in dishwasher

Favorite aspect: Christmas tree drawn in the inside bottom of the mug. It's like a surprise treat every time you get to the bottom :)

Crafts. Crafts. Crafts.

I've wanted to display all of the things I have made/refurbished for a while now, so I figured I'd just post them all in one blog.

At one point in time I had all the 'before and after' pictures together. It will take a little digging to find them, however for now, I will just share the 'after' pictures.

My sister and I always joke about doing craft shows, but I think it'd actually be super fun and comical.

Recent obsession: books

It all started a year ago when I first purchased a book called 'Classy' by Derek Blasberg. This book basically defined my life, plus it was hilarious.

We were at the downtown bookstore on 13th and Jackson several months ago, and my friends came across The Good Citizens Handbook. This book was written in the 40's but reprinted in the last few years. The book is extremely comical explaining citizen tasks such as: how to be a good, clean neighbor and to how to make the proper checkmark in a ballot box.

After my purchase of The Good Citizens Handbook, I found other books written in the 30's and 40's also reprinted in recent years. I cannot get over the fact that these books were at one point in time taken seriously and in today's world are outrageous and provide quite a few giggles. A few of the titles are: How To Get Along With Boys, How to Date, How to make Love, and How To Be A Good Housewife.

My most recent purchase was Someone Had To Set A Bad Example by Anne Taintor which consists of old fashioned photographs with funny sayings attached to them.

Coming Soon: I'm currently in the process of building a special bookshelf for these treasures.

Latest trend: scarves

I have been obsessed with wearing scarves in my hair for the last few months. I love anything and everything related to vintage clothing.

In just a short three minute walk from my apartment, there is the best vintage thrift store: Scouts Dry Goods & Trade, where I go almost every week on the search for new scarves.

Confession: A few of my scarves are just left over scraps from old sewing projects. --They are actually the scarves I wear most often. :)

I'm always on the lookout for a new scarf.

Broken zipper: fixed

A few weeks ago I broke the zipper on my favorite dress. I liked the dress too much to get rid of it, yet I didn't want to take the zipper out and sew in a new one. Luckily, I found a How To website on fixing zippers. Since the metal stopper was already off my dress, the hardest part was already done. All I had to do was pull out a few prongs to make both sides of the zipper even, get the zipper on the groves and sew the bottom edge of the zipper. It took less than 10 minutes!

Why is this dress so special?
1. Exposed zipper: super cute
2. Pockets: self-explanatory
3. I can wear tennis shoes with it: only outfit I don't wear Toms with.

Tennis shoes: $9 at Target :)

Latest project: apron making

I've always wanted a girly apron, however I never wanted to spend the $40+, so I decided I'd purchase a pattern and give it a go.

Once I started, I couldn't stop. I love making aprons. I even purchased labels from @mommiemadeit on www.etsy.com

I've made adult, child and American girl aprons so far and they've turned out really well :)