I’m excited to say that I am now the owner of a sewing machine! It’s a 1969 Singer Touch & Sew Deluxe Zig-Zag Model 646. I got it for free off of Freecycle! It’s an old one, but it works and it’s perfect for me right now since I’m just starting out. I wanted to try and find a free working once since I’m kind of afraid that I’ll get so frustrated with it and give up on doing anything with it. Lol. Luckily, a nice lady on Freecycle had one she wasn’t using and gave it to me yesterday.
I actually just finished up my first project on the machine; a heart heat pack. I followed the tutorial my fellow blogging buddy, Shary, had on her blog. You can find the tutorial here.
Please ignore the crappy finishing on it. I couldn’t figure out a good way to finish it. I’m happy with it and it will serve it’s purpose, so that’s all that matters to me. 🙂
Do you have any tips for me since I’m a beginner with sewing? Any novice projects I should start out with?
I’m a 20-something stay-at-home mother and wife. I have an amazing husband, a beautiful daughter, two loving dogs, and a lazy cat. I wouldn’t change my life for anything! I love to read, listen to music, cook and blog!
I cannot wait to see and read about all the great things you will be making! good luck.
Thank you so much, Clancy! I can’t wait to share them with all of you! 🙂
Soooo fun :0) I used to have a sewing business. This makes me miss it. That’s a beautiful machine you have there. 😉
That’s cool that you used to have a business! I’m hoping that once I get better I can start selling things in my store (https://optimisticmommy.storenvy.com/).
That is so awesome! I love my sewing machine. My only tip just dive in… I knew nothing and I’m still not great at it but I enjoy sewing and that is what counts.
Agreed! It’s something for me to do in my downtime (which is not a lot of time considering I have a little one! lol) and after finishing something you always feel accomplished. It’s great!
wow and my sister was looking for a sewing machine. what is freecycle? hope u make more things. 🙂
It’s a group on Yahoo. There’s one for just about every city in the US. Just go here –>https://www.freecycle.org/ and you can search your city and join the group! I’ve gotten a toaster and a George Foreman Grilling Machine from great people on the site!
I love to sew! Some easy starter crafts would be pillow cases or some simple curtains for a kids room (the curtains I have listed under my craft tab on my blog feel free to check them out). For finishing something like a pillow hand stitching is always good!
I’m definitely going to go check out your blog! Thank you for the tip, too – I’m going to do that on my next one. 🙂
I started sewing with window valances. All straight lines, so pretty easy. AND much cheaper than buying curtains. 🙂
I’ll have to make some for my windows – we need some for the bedroom anyways! Thanks! 🙂
Courtney, on the next one simply leave a smaller finishing place, and stitch it up by hand. You can hide that seam that way! It really is wonderful for a first try though! I love the fabric you picked! It so honors the generation of your sewing machine!!
You’re right – I didn’t even think that the peace signs corresponding with the year of the sewing machine! LOL!
Thank you so much for the tip! I will definitely do that next time! 🙂
That’s so cool! Good for you! I hope you get a lot of use out of it! It’s as old as me! lol
LOL!
I always forget about free cycle! I would love to be able to sew but have never tried!
It’s a lot of fun. Plus it’s usually cheaper to make your own things than buy them in stores – especially if you find a good sale at a fabric & craft store like Joann’s!
That’s cool. My pillows and bean bags look just like these on the edges. Vintage sewing machines rock! Did you get the instruction book too?
No, unfortunately it didn’t come with the instruction book. But I was able to find it on Singer’s website and printed it out – it was 82 pages long, but well worth it because it’s so informative!
So cool! You will have so much fun! Just dive in and keep practicing…also look up online tutorials for easy projects to get started with! I love the heat pack you made…I totally want a heart-shaped one now 🙂
I will definitely do that! Hey, I’ll make you one and send it to you if you’d like! 🙂 Just email me at [email protected]! 🙂
I am a beginning sewer too. In fact, I am setting up my sewing machine for the first time next week.
Wow, what a coincidence! 🙂 I hope it goes well! I’d love to hear about it.
So exciting! I got my machine 13 years ago. I’m sad to say I have not completed very many projects but there is the thought of completing projects… 🙂
A simple sewing machine is all you really need. Even advanced sewers usually only use the basic stitches anyway.
that is a really nice sewing machine. I have heard of FreeCycle but havent ever looked I will definately check it out. Cute project too
YEA for a Sewing Machine! I am so needing to get one! It’s been forever since i have used one last….
Good for you girl!! I think you did a pretty job for your first try with a “new for you” machine. It can take a while to get used to them. My mom would love this one…she is used to older machines and just can’t get herself to modern up.