A lego sewing machine

My sewing machine is playing up again, so while I hoped to share with you the printer cover I'm in the middle of making (exciting times), it's going to have to wait.

However, I could't resist sharing this wonderful 3D card I got for my birthday recently. It's my Brother sewing machine, crafted from bits of lego from the 'random bits box' Alex recently rescued from his parents' attic. It's got a place for the cotton reel, bobbin and needle - and it's threaded up about as accurately as a lego machine could ever be. I love it.

Super Galaxie First Aid

I have been in Accident and Emergency, hospital and my GP for various tests, checks and scans recently, and I can only assume my sewing machine is feeling left out. Today, as I finally got started on a project I have been promising to make for a volunteer on TheSite.org, it started knocking and grinding and we had to attempt some first aid.

Innards on the outside

They are complicated things these sewing machines...

Here's the project in progress (if anyone is wondering, it will be the logo of the 12th Mechanized Brigade - our volunteer is also in the army). I was using Heirloom stitch which is a very thick stitch involving a lot of needle movement - but I don't think this should cause a problem.

I tried to do some minor adjustments before taking the side off - they just led to three sad and broken needles. With some trial and error, I managed to solve part of the problem but the knocking was still there.

Unfortunately, our first aid failed to fully identify the problem so, while I did get an interesting look inside my machine, I am going to have to take her to be serviced.

Sorry G, you'll have to wait a wee bit longer for your cushion....

A new toy - Super Galaxie 2000

I got a sewing machine for Christmas. Slightly intimidating at first as I've never used one before. It's a Brother Super Galaxie 2000 - bought by Alex from a lovely lady on ebay. Luckily, because it's electric and has a touch screen in the corner, it tells me when I'm doing basic things wrong - like trying to sew without the foot down. I had a number of sewing for beginners books, but to be honest, the operation manual for the machine was most helpful for getting started.

Looking a little nervous

My first creation - a thank you cushion.

I made a buttonhole - although it's only recently I worked out how to make it the right size for buttons.

First go at patchwork