New Sewing Machine

So today I'm really excited! I've been working on a Singer Simple sewing machine and have constantly been having problems with tension regardless of how many YouTube videos and how many times I've watched to CD or read the pamphlet came with the sewing machine. I've been so frustrated! It's been especially damaging to my linen and linen blend fabrics. So with our tax return I was able to order a Janome 8077 Computerized Sewing Machine with 30 Built-In Stitches. I've read many reviews, done research and looked blog after blog post about how to chose a sewing machine and what sewing machines were the best. 

I was told to expect to spend around $200 to $500 if I wanted a sewing machine that would last a long time and do the things I wanted it to do. I'm going to do a lot of sewing with the SCA and I'm also going to be sewing through thicker fabric with my husbands military uniforms. His uniforms are thicker than jeans material and then I have to sew patches on and mend it as well. I've broken needles on the Singer Simple even using a jean needle. Having a flying needle tip with my little toddler around who eats everything and then not being able to find it definitely causes problems!

So when I get my sewing machine and learn how to use all the features I'll give it a review here. I'm also going to ask my local sewing machine store if they have classes I can take. If they don't I'll check out the Joann's fabric and the Michael's store. 

As for now I'll provide the link to Amazon where I purchased my machine! I also bought the extended warranty which I personally think is always a good idea especially with kids.

Janome 8077 Computerized Sewing Machine with 30 Built-In Stitches

The Trouble With Patterns

Even though I took a Home Economics class in Middle School and have sporadically sewn through out my life I'm still a novice when it comes to sewing. Patterns make me feel rather confused. Store bought ones seem bizarre to me with their darts and seemingly hard to decipher instructions. So when we joined the SCA in 2010 in New Orleans I wasn't sure how I was going to make clothes. We were new and we were going to be moving soon so I didn't even really bother trying to make clothes. Mostly we borrowed them for Gulf Wars which was really the only event we went to and our lovely friends made some clothes for our daughter Emma who was 3 at the time. We did buy some pieces while we were there. 

Fast forward to now and I made a resolution to not wanting to borrow garb when we move. We have done more research and I feel that we've been exposed enough to the SCA that it would be somewhat of an insult to move and have to borrow garb. Perhaps this is my own feeling of inadequacy or anxiety who knows but I have made a resolution to get serious about getting down and dirty. The husband wants to get more into persona but I'm not necessarily into that. I like knowing about the history of garb, the arts like embroidery, sewing, cooking, etc. I like that stuff. I get a little embarrassed play acting. It's why I can't do table top gaming in real life. Mostly I have issues!

So when I sat down and started to research Viking garb and patterns I got really confused. I took measurements, found patterns for under dresses, hangeroks, coats, hats like the Jorvik hood (which I actually had no trouble with) I found myself in trouble. Youtube has absolutely no useful videos on making Viking garb which pretty much shocked me. They have everything and I was sad that they failed me. The way the people described laying out of the fabric and measurements just didn't make sense and since I can't even really understand a pattern that comes from mundane life I wasn't really sure I'd get something like the garb patterns. 

So I just tried the best I could. Eventually I figured out a basic square shaped hangerok for the girls. They're small and really don't need gores for their hangeroks. Their under dresses were a bit harder. I wasn't sure how to attach arms or do hems to make them even. I had some muslin and I can tell you I messed up a couple of attempts but that's what the cheap muslin is for right? You live and you learn! Last night I managed to attach arms onto the youngest girl, Abby's, dress and I was thrilled. I also found a tutorial on how to attach gussets. I'll probably end up destroying a couple more outfits but I learn with each one so that's a good thing right? 

I know from my research that the green color isn't necessarily a color that the Vikings used but it's a fabric I had lying around and I didn't want to waste it. Plus I'm going out on a branch here they traded a lot so it's plausible they may have had access to that color fabric. I would try it on Abby but she's in this stage of not wanting to wear clothes. For now we just measure her head then put the top of the dress over her head quickly for a moment to make sure it fits! We'll see as I try to do more research. Now a picture of my triumphant dress!