I bought my first sewing machine! At age 67.

[Raven]

The lady at the fabric store where I bought it gave me an hour's lesson on how to use it. It is a Janome and it is idiot proof. I am thrilled! A new world has opened up!

[NYC_SKP]

1. How cool is that?! Yay!

And unlike many other things in this world, I think sewing machine are made well.

I still use an old Singer treadle for this and that!

[CaliforniaPeggy]

2. Congrats, my dear Raven!

Sewing can be a lot of fun!

I used to make my own shirts, although since I discovered knit shirts, I've stopped. But I still have all of them, and now and then I wear them.

Have fun!

[libodem]

3. Good on ya!

That is sew cool. Have a blast.

[KarenS]

4. Congratulations!!

What are you going to make?

I make quilts with mine

[Raven]

7. Right now I'm using it to make linings for

bags that I've knitted and felted but I'm also going to try my luck with some simple baby clothes for my Grand daughter. I would love to get good enough to make quilts!

[KarenS]

8. nice,,,,

I thought maybe it was for the GrandDaughter but those linings will get you some practice and experience before you jump into a "project"

There's lots of patterns and inspiration on Etsy and Pinterest and just the internet in general.

and btw quilting is much easier than garment making (I think ) there's just a lot of steps.

Enjoy yourself,,,, the whole fabric & sewing thing is hugely entertaining, creative and addictive!!

[sinkingfeeling]

5. Congrats! You should have told me, I have 4 that I just gave away. Sew almost

everything on my Pfaff.

[Heddi]

6. I am 37 and just got my first one a few months ago

Many years ago I had taken a class on using a sewing machine to make a double sided apron with a pocket.

I didn't have a class with mine, but there were youtube videos of how to use it.

I made my husband a pair of pants with it last month, the first real thing I've made, besides the sewing machine cover. Oh, I did make a kit for making a fleece blanket.

[pipi_k]

9. Very cool...

Sewing is a blast!

I wish I had a designated sewing area all to myself but my house is really small.

So now I'm more into knitting and crocheting because at least they're somewhat portable.

One helpful hint, if you don't mind, and you can ignore if you already know this...

Make sure you have an iron and ironing board handy for pressing seams and stuff. You'll likely be doing a lot of that.

One of my younger sisters sewed for years for her kids. Sewing was very good quality, but her finished projects always looked amateurish because she never took the time to press seams and darts, etc.

Anyway, enjoy your new machine!

[Raven]

10. How funny... a dear friend of mine who

is a fabulous sewer gave me the exact same advice last night!

[bettyellen]

11. Congrats! One big secret is that vintage clothes can be easily taken apart and recut into

smaller garments, and you can often use the hems of button plackets that are there already to save a lot of time finishing the gmt.
So much cheaper than fabric by the yard!

[Warpy]

12. You'll find that homemade clothing lasts much longer

than the cheaply made stuff in the stores. That being said, it is now more expensive to make your own clothing.

I think the economics fall slightly in favor of homemade clothing because the cheap crap in stores bags and pills and is unsightly far sooner than what you make yourself.

I have two machines, one an antique that goes backwards and forwards in straight stitch and another that I bought to handle heavier fabrics that does the same in straight and zigzag stitching.

Wait until you discover fusible interfacing. That stuff is pure magic.

[demigoddess]

13. I've been sewing for over 50 years

Have owned 4 Janomes/ New Homes. the first one lasted 34 years. I love to spend time in my sewing room. I do big projects, little projects mending, etc. Have fun!!!

[PennyK]

14. Have I got a website for YOU!

Get right over to Patternreview.com. Best sewing site with every kind of information you could want. People post reviews of everything they make, and it's been so helpful to me over the years!