Hi from WA
07-27-2020, 07:43 AM
#1
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2020
Location: Spokane, WA
Posts: 8
Hi from WA
Hello! I'm Marcia.
I've been sewing since I was in the 2nd grade (I'm 50 now). My first project was a tote bag in lavender (hate that color, sorry if you like it) the outside fabric was wool and the inside was probably a cotton or cotton/poly blend. Needless to say, they first time it was washed the outside shrunk like crazy. I don't know who picked the fabric, it was probably something my Mom or Grandma had on hand. From there I started sewing clothes and sewed 80% of my wardrobe through high school. I got frustrated not knowing how to tailor and fit to my body and moved to the "big city" where there were clothing stores that carried my size so I didn't need to sew as much. My first job in the city was at FabricLand where I spent all of my paycheck but never sewed anything. In my 30's my mother convinced me I should have her Pfaff and give my JCPenny machine to my grandmother. I hated the Pfaff and only made a few projects, some quilt tops and Christmas decor items. My mother used the machine more when she visited, doing my mending projects and the sewing parts of my craft projects. Thanks ..!!!
With Covid I decided I wanted to make a few masks. The Pfaff died in the middle of winding the bobbin and the sewing machine repair shop was unable to find a new electronic board for it. Mom called my uncle who had inherited the JCPenny machine from grandma and he still had it and had never used it. I picked it up, dropped it off at the repair shop and one new belt and a long soak later it runs like new. The repairman said I should get another 30 years out of it. I brought it home and muscle memory threaded the machine before I even realized what I was doing. The sound of my good fabric scissors making the first cut made me so happy! Sewing that first mask in 30 minutes was a high I haven't come down from. I have now made 4 masks and a sewing machine mat with pockets for my tools. I can't wait to have a minute to sew again.
Wow, sorry so long.
I've been sewing since I was in the 2nd grade (I'm 50 now). My first project was a tote bag in lavender (hate that color, sorry if you like it) the outside fabric was wool and the inside was probably a cotton or cotton/poly blend. Needless to say, they first time it was washed the outside shrunk like crazy. I don't know who picked the fabric, it was probably something my Mom or Grandma had on hand. From there I started sewing clothes and sewed 80% of my wardrobe through high school. I got frustrated not knowing how to tailor and fit to my body and moved to the "big city" where there were clothing stores that carried my size so I didn't need to sew as much. My first job in the city was at FabricLand where I spent all of my paycheck but never sewed anything. In my 30's my mother convinced me I should have her Pfaff and give my JCPenny machine to my grandmother. I hated the Pfaff and only made a few projects, some quilt tops and Christmas decor items. My mother used the machine more when she visited, doing my mending projects and the sewing parts of my craft projects. Thanks ..!!!
With Covid I decided I wanted to make a few masks. The Pfaff died in the middle of winding the bobbin and the sewing machine repair shop was unable to find a new electronic board for it. Mom called my uncle who had inherited the JCPenny machine from grandma and he still had it and had never used it. I picked it up, dropped it off at the repair shop and one new belt and a long soak later it runs like new. The repairman said I should get another 30 years out of it. I brought it home and muscle memory threaded the machine before I even realized what I was doing. The sound of my good fabric scissors making the first cut made me so happy! Sewing that first mask in 30 minutes was a high I haven't come down from. I have now made 4 masks and a sewing machine mat with pockets for my tools. I can't wait to have a minute to sew again.
Wow, sorry so long.
Last edited by QuiltnNan; 07-27-2020 at 05:37 PM. Reason: shouting/all caps
07-27-2020, 07:49 AM
#2
Super Member
Join Date: Aug 2018
Location: Greater Peoria, IL -- just moved!
Posts: 6,066
Welcome aboard! I'm waving from across the state in the Seattle area, but I know Spokane well. Among other things, lived in Moscow, ID my senior year in high school (which happens to be when I started quilting) so Spokane was the biggest near city.
Both my expensive modern machine and my trusty old vintage machines had problems during and it took awhile for the service stores to open so I've been sewing on a very low end Brother I picked up for classes and traveling. It sure feels good to have multiple machines for when you need one.
I'm not finding mask making to be my happy place, even when I'm using fun fabrics but when I get myself motivated to do them, it does feel good to whip out a few! One of my other vintage machines has been next door with the neighbor so he could make masks for his mother in law (on dialysis among other issues) and extended family. I'm going to talk with the girls next door to see if they have any interest in using it/learning across the fence.
Both my expensive modern machine and my trusty old vintage machines had problems during and it took awhile for the service stores to open so I've been sewing on a very low end Brother I picked up for classes and traveling. It sure feels good to have multiple machines for when you need one.
I'm not finding mask making to be my happy place, even when I'm using fun fabrics but when I get myself motivated to do them, it does feel good to whip out a few! One of my other vintage machines has been next door with the neighbor so he could make masks for his mother in law (on dialysis among other issues) and extended family. I'm going to talk with the girls next door to see if they have any interest in using it/learning across the fence.
07-27-2020, 10:40 AM
#5
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2011
Location: Western Washington
Posts: 940
Welcome to QB. I live in Snohomish now but lived in Spokane Valley for many years before moving here. Our last home in Spokane was just a couple of blocks west of State Line. My sewing experience was much like yours; started in 4-H when 9 and made all my own clothes until I was in my 20's. Now I am retired and quilting is my job. Finally getting to pull all the fabrics out of my closet that I stashed away while I was working. My new adventure has been to learn FMQ and ruler work so I can finish quilts myself and loving it.
