Replies

1. 
   Palady | Mar 11, 2009 04:26am | #1

   Glad you jumped into the pool!!  A hearty welcome.  Your experience will surely be an asset.   Please know you're in a true community of folks who can appreciate anything you'll offer.

   nepa

2. 
   JeanM | Mar 11, 2009 04:27am | #2

   Welcome to the forums!

1. 
   ohiostar | Mar 12, 2009 08:28pm | #12

   Thank you all for such a warm welcome! Yesterday, I was busy catching up on some exercise, cooking and sewing instructions for my daughter and didn't even think of checking the forum. Won't make that mistake again! Yes it does become addicting to be on the forums, but the subject is so interesting. I'll check back in a bit.

1. 
   Icie | Mar 16, 2009 09:05pm | #13

   I too am new to this site.  I've sewn off and on for many years, but just now am getting back into it.  I'm in need of inspiration.  I want to start sewing again, but can't seem to settle on a project, and I have 2 granddaughters.  You'd think that would be inspiration enough!

1. 
   Palady | Mar 16, 2009 11:47pm | #14

   >> ... new to site ... <<    Welcome to the message board. 

   As to inspiration for you, do you belong any civic organizations?   A church community?  Would you consider charitable sewing?  Are there any consignment shops where you are?   Baby blankets, baby layettes, toddler wear, especially with the Fleece now in the market, are pieces that would be needed.

   >> ... 2 granddaughters.  You'd think that would be inspiration enough! << 

   As to your grands, having 3 myself, 2 of whom are my my daughter's, who sews far better than do I,  sewing can be a turn-off for them.  Shopping in stores & trying on is far more their thing. 

   I have done selective pieces for each of them but that was when they were younger.  One is well into her teens, the other 2 will be begin their teenhood later this year. 

   A suggestion if I may - if it's been a time lapse since you've sewn, please think about getting your machine ready for the doing.  Having sat idle for a time, it likely needs cleaning & oiling.  Perhaps even a visit to a service shop.  The working parts may be congealed.  Even a small amount will affect how it operates for you.  Though finding a shop might be hard to come by.  Still do give it a thought.

   Let us know how you're doing.

   nepa 

    

    

1. 
   Icie | Mar 17, 2009 02:34am | #15

   That's a great idea to get my machine serviced.  I hadn't thought of that.  I have to go some miles now to find a Phaff shop now; there once was one close, but it's gone out of business.

2. 
   Palady | Mar 17, 2009 12:37pm | #17

   Sad to say your Pfaff shop closing is an almost universal happening.  It's a given however that going a distance for a service check will be a benefit.   I do hope where you have to take it is a reliable shop.

   You might consider calling for a cost check before making the drive.  Expect the doing to be pricey.  Locally just "looking" at the machine is any where from $45.00 & up.  Add to that the labor for the oiling & cleaning.  Clarify you being notified if any parts have to be replaced because this ups the over all charge considerably.  Let it be known you want to see the taken out parts and an understanding of why the replacing was necessary.   This knowledge will give you some insight into how the machine works.  Granted, all str/zz sewing machines do the pretty much the same thing, but there are nuances to each.

    Look around and see if there's a retired person who does machine checks.  I'm fortunate to have a former Singer guy near me.  His charge is far less than the Sew & Vac store.  What's neat is he has old Singer attachments & the like which came to him quite by chance.  I was able to get bobbins, a zipper foot & needles for my 500A.  Again at a much lower cost.  Ask around and see what you might find out.

   nepa

   ETA - Consider establishing a time frame for the return of your machine and having this noted on you claim receipt along with the calling if parts are needed.  Some sewsits have experienced longer delays than they anticipated and had missed making the inquiry up front.  The parts notation keeps the lines of communication open to both parties, you & the shop.

    

   Edited 3/17/2009 5:42 am ET by Palady

3. 
   Icie | Mar 17, 2009 03:49pm | #18

   Thank you so much for the good advice.  Things I wouldn't have thought of to ask.  I know my machine has sat in its case for at least 5 years, so a good cleaning is a must for the beginning of my return to sewing.

2. 
   ohiostar | Mar 17, 2009 08:51am | #16

   I have to agree with the idea of doing charity sewing. It is a great way to get your feet on the ground again. I have been quilting some of the Quilts of Valor for the returning injured soldiers, and I have been sewing clothing for my niece and grand niece who have fallen on hard times. Hopefully this will one day lead to her wanting to learn to sew for herself. Sometimes food banks like to get small children things to give to families in need. No alterations, no fittings, using up fabric in your stash that maybe your family wouldn't choose to wear. It's win-win all the way.

3. 
   eikone | Mar 11, 2009 05:35am | #3

   I'm new too! I would love to tap into your well of experience. I really know very little about sewing but despite that I manage to accomplish what need.
   I would love it if you would check out my post under "Equipment & Supplies". I have a very novice question there that I'm sure you could help me with.
   I hope to glean lots of info, tips and help over the next few months since I have taken on a huge challenge - I'm making all the attendants' dresses for my daughter's wedding in August 96 bridesmaids, a Jr. bridesmaid and a flower girl)!

4. 
   ThreadKoe | Mar 11, 2009 07:22am | #4

   Welcome! You will find a lot of gems hidden in the past postings as well as the ongoing ones. You should be forewarned....this place is rather addicting, tee hee. Cathy

1. 
   JunkQueen | Mar 11, 2009 09:41am | #5

   What is this addiction you speak of??? It's only 1:40am here in the CDT zone in the USA, and here I sit reading and posting.

1. 
   Ceeayche | Mar 11, 2009 11:31am | #6

   Welcome Ohiostar!

   Like my friend JunkQueen, I concur that it's addicting.  I was off a couple of days due to exhaustive work schedule. Am I getting much needed sleep?  NOOOOOoooooo!  I'm on catching up with my Gatherings/Treads community!  I've got to go to my "paying job" tomorrow morning.  Hold all calls we have a winner:  I'm crazy!

   Welcome and hope you enjoy the fun!

2. 
   ThreadKoe | Mar 11, 2009 09:11pm | #7

   Here I sit, with my coffee, after my regular IM with a new friend I met here. I will check in several times today, just to see what is happening. I could be doing anything else domestic. I sit here with my morning coffee. I have my afternoon break with my fellow gatherers. And I often check in before heading off to bed. Is this the sign of an addiction??? I rather think so... Cathy

1. 
   JeanM | Mar 11, 2009 09:38pm | #8

   Having spent way too much time on the internet I thought I would become more active on my sewing-related sites so I wouldn't be online so much.  Hahahahaha.  I am also sitting here still drinking my morning coffee and reading posts and it is close to noon.  I'm enjoying it (until my husband begins writing notes to me in the dust).

1. 
   ThreadKoe | Mar 11, 2009 11:37pm | #9

   I am fortunate in that DH realizes that I am not so lonely now that I have found new friends here that share my interests. He laughingly tolerates my addiction. He even asks what the latest gossip is. Gossip? What gossip? We don't gossip. (do we?) Unless you count the stuff on Runway, the White House Fashion Drama, General Fashion Discussions....tee hee hee Cathy

2. 
   Palady | Mar 12, 2009 05:31am | #10

   Addiction?  Certainly a positive one.  Hmmm more like the neighborhood fence, correct?  If those are remembered. 

   The sort of thing when you were hanging the clothes on the line, weeding the garden, coming back from an errand, or you were just "outside" and a neighbor was in the yard next door and pleasantries were exchanged on all manner of "life."

   Might there be a recall of a very early TV sitcom set in the New York City brownstones?  A lady would call out  "Yoo-Hoo" to her neighbor in an adjoining building across the way in the what's known as the air shaft between the structures.   The name Molly comes to my mind.

   So here we are - Yoo-Hoo'ing.  And having a grand time of it I'd say.

   A pause - - - - -

   Googling found the following URL.  The second URL has a color photo of "Molly" leaning out of her upper story apt.  This is sort of how I remember the show starting.  My memory falls short of knowing it as a radio show.  Perhaps it fell short of being tuned-in at my house.

   http://www.museum.tv/archives/etv/G/htmlG/goldbergsth/goldbergsth.htm

   http://www.tvparty.com/vaultgold.html

   My daughter had an apt with an air shaft bathroom window early on when she graduated from college in Boston, MA.  Hers opened to a near brick wall, but still, I thought it was an intuitive buidling point.

   nepa

5. 
   rodezzy2 | Mar 12, 2009 05:55am | #11

   welcome welcome welcome