Monday, August 26, 2013

MY DISASTROUS SEWING CLASS...


I am going to try and whip this out really fast as I am anxious to get to my Monday morning chores, and then my sewing machine.  : )  I want to tell you about my sewing machine class on the stitch regulator though.  I guess it should really not have come as a shock to me that I was definitely NOT feeling my perkiest upon arrival at the class after my concert the night before, but it was more of a problem than I anticipated.  But I did make it to the class on time, and with all of the supplies that I needed.  It did help me out a lot to be able to leave my machine there all set up, as it was at the same place as the day before.  Anyway...it started out fine.  They provided us with all the fabric we needed all cut out and ready, and told us to put a quick nine patch together...OK, no problem.  Then, we were to layer our fabric using an adhesive spray.  Now I somehow found myself in a class with 9 other women ALL of whom were experienced quilters.  They were ALL also very comfortable with their particular sewing machines.  I seemed to be the only one who could BARELY work her machine, who was glad she even knew what a nine patch was, and didn't have a clue how to layer pieces let alone use an adhesive spray.   I wanted to protest but remembered this was NOT a class on sewing machine use, nor was it a beginners quilting class, it was merely a class to learn about the use of a stitch regulator.  The teacher is VERY knowledgeable, and I do like her, but honestly she is soo experienced on everything I think she has kind of forgotten what it is like to be somewhat clueless like me.  But back to the class.  I did get my nine patch together quickly (keeping up with the others no problem!) and I merely watched one of the gals layer and spray hers (thank goodness for waiting in lines to use tables etc.) and realized it was no big deal.   I got that done and by then we had been told to use our walking feet and stitch in the ditch the nine patch.  Now I did NOT have a walking foot for my old machine (how wonderful they are btw, would have made some things soo much easier!) and while I knew what stitching in the ditch was, I have never actually done it! But somehow I got my walking foot on, and fairly easily got that stitching completed as well.  I was starting to feel like OK, maybe I can do this.  Well, let me tell you it was ALL downhill from there.  She began demonstrating the stitch regulator after that.  Now everyone there had a Bernina machine, but only 1 other gal had my particular model.  The others had the much more complicated 800's.  So of course she was demonstrating on the 800.  She would occasionally say something along the line of, "you two with your 580's will do this and that etc. instead."  I was immediately lost and began to panic.  Why I was feeling panic was probably do to the fact I was just flat out tired, because it was silly to be feeling that way.  We were sent back to our machines and of course I couldn't even get the attachment on. (everyone else had no problem!)  She had to come and help me. Now we were given a practice piece, we weren't actually stitching on our projects yet, thank goodness!  We had traced a couple of different flowers onto our practice piece and were told to stitch them.  OH MY GOODNESS...what a clown I was at this.  Nothing was going right.  I couldn't make the machine work, couldn't even remember how to raise and lower my needle, and couldn't get past not using my foot peddle.  I felt in WAY OVER MY HEAD.  The teacher had to be kind of planted by my side, and while she was pleasant, I could tell it wasn't exactly what she had in mind.  Meanwhile, everyone else was calmly stitching away.  My stitches were ridiculous, and no where near my outlined lines.  They were all over the place, looking jerky and uneven.  I couldn't seem to grasp that I didn't need to turn my fabric (like you do in sewing) but just merely move the fabric.  And there is a definite difference between TURNING AND MOVING...sigh.  I wanted to take that "thing" off, fling it into orbit, and do it with just my straight stitching which I knew I could do with no problem.  I had done that whole quilt for Vincent doing just that.  However in my mind I kept thinking what I had paid for this little attachment, and I was going to learn to work it or know the reason why.  I was feeling VERY overwhelmed.  Meanwhile, the others had finished practicing and were busy drawing designs onto to their projects, which truth be known I was scared to even try doing just this, let alone actually stitching! About this time they told us to take a 30 minute lunch break and come back.  I was sooo tempted to just pack up my machine and go home you will never know.  I was tired, couldn't seem to come even close to keeping up, and felt like perhaps I had a made a mistake in even buying any of this.  However, after a little lunch and an encouraging conversation with my sister on the phone, I headed back to the class.  I would love to report that suddenly everything fell into place and I was able to do pretty well.  Uummm that would be a no.  However, I did improve.  I managed to get my flowers on my project, looking "somewhat" like flowers, and by then the class was over so I packed up and went home.  I never did put on silk flower petals like the rest of them!  I have had my hubby put a leaf in my kitchen table (it is right close to my sewing cabinet and other machine) and my intention is to PRACTICE, PRACTICE, PRACTICE!  I am not ready to throw in the towel yet to learning to do this, but I have admitted that it might be a little harder to free arm machine quilt than I thought.   Not being tired anymore, I have managed to calm down and realize that this is SUPPOSED to be enjoyable, I WILL eventually learn to do if I persevere, and at the end of the day if I honestly never LIKE doing it, it is not the end of the world.  I do have my embroidery class on this Friday.  I am not looking forward to it as much as I was, (can't bear a repeat of this last class!) though this will be a class of total beginners like me, so hopefully she will move slower and I will do a little better.  In the meantime I have a lot to keep me busy this week at the sewing machine.  I hope to make myself a jacket (found such a cute pattern) and a nursing cover for my dil, and continue working on my quilt tops.  Hope you all have a GOOD week.  I am going to share a couple of cute pics of Luke.  Melody successfully transferred Sam to his big boy bed last week.  He did soo well!  So tonight she is transferring Luke from the bassinet to the crib.  He is already sleeping the night.  Time goes by soo fast!

HERE HE IS WITH THE BLANKET DIANE CROCHETED FOR HIM...LOVE THE COLORS!

LOVE THIS OF BOTH THE BOYS!

HOW DARLING IS THIS LITTLE GRINNER?  HAPPY BOY

ONE OF HIS DIMPLES SHOWING!




14 comments:

  1. But you finished and I bet after being rested and being at home you will do just fine. I totally know what you mean as I still shudder inside when I think about my first quilting class. I was in the same kind of place with women who knew what they were doing and I was a total beginner, I remember the teacher just looking like a deer in the headlights every time I walked through the door.
    I learned how though and even though I don't know how it did stick.
    I think once you play with it you will be surprised how much easier it is and will do more than you every thought.
    The boys are so cute. I just love all of those photos.

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  2. Hi there, Again I always love seeing the boys-so darn cute! I know you will get the sewing down.
    Hugs, Noreen

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  3. I suggest that you have a photo of the boys near the machine and whenever you are feeling stressed, just take a look at those sweetie pies. ☺ Oh you told that so well that I am feeling frustrated for you. The embroidery class will go very well, I'm sure. Have you been able to find some videos on your particular machine at You Tube? I find those very helpful sometimes!

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  4. Stick with it!!! It never feels natural at first. I still feel like my stitdhes are jerky and all over the place. But with every piece you do, you will feel more confident!!! Oh how I would love to have a new fancy machine, and learn all that it could do. Just have fun with it.
    I also find that when I am tired, I must STOP sewing. That is when I begin to make mistakes!
    The boys are adorable!!!
    xo Kris

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  5. Oh, I couldn't help but chuckle as I read of your frustration because I would have been just like you. I would have been "lost as a goose." I took a photography class last year and I felt much the same way about it. But, as you said, it is not the end of the world. Thank goodness!

    Those boys are about as cute as can be! Have a good week and hope you enjoy your next class.

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  6. You will get there Debbie. It's hard learning something new but at least you have the willingness to learn. I am sure you'll get the hang of it in no time and will be turning out some beautiful pieces. (Half of what you said sounded like greek to me, so you are already ahead of where I would be ha ha)
    Have a nice week

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  7. I think I will call this post the perils of Debbie instead of the perils of Pauline. I m so sorry things didn't go well. but then again there is the next time and as good as a seamstress as you are it is going to fall in place. Love the photos, oh! so precious!!
    Enjoy your week. Hugs,
    Sue

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  8. I'm in way over my head just reading about this! You will do just fine,Debbie.. you are so good at your projects, and after you get away from it a bit, it will come together for you. Good for you to go for it. Any new thing is a process. Keep trying, and we will see the results when you get it going. :)

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  9. Hey Deb! I am not a fan of uncomfortable situations like you were in, but I think we always feel dumber than other people perceive we are!! LOL! At least I hope that's the case! :o) If not, I should be embarrassed myself!!

    Love those cutie boys! Yes time does go soooo fast. Our two new grandy girls are just turning 7 months!! Sooo crazy!

    Hugs to you!
    Becky

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  10. Dear one, I know that you know that the majority of your difficulty was due to overexhaustion. {hug} Plus not only were you learning how to use a brand-new machine but you're also learning a brand-new skill. Don't give up ... I know that you will get the hang of this with time, patience and practice. Even some of the experienced machine quilting bloggers who I follow have posted that they are still practicing and improving. {{hug}}

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  11. When I tell you what I'm about to tell you, please know that it is only because I totally get what you were going through with this experience. It's exactly the kind of thing that happens to me on a regular basis (as in EVERY time I try to stretch my abilities just a teeny bit with anything relating to technology.) It's the reason that I still clunk away on my grandmother's sewing machine because any confounded machine built in the past 20 years is above my pay grade. It's also the reason that I use that silly shiny red Kodak rather than splurge on a nicer one even though I WANT one.

    OK, so understanding all of that...
    Please don't get angry if I giggled just a little bit at your description because this east coast Debbie was relating so well to the west coast Debbie.

    I really do believe in you and know you'll get the hang of it, and I hope the embroidery class makes up for this one.

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  12. Doing something new keeps your brain young so good for you!

    Such gorgeous little boys, and love that happy baby face : )

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  13. I feel your frustration....been there. Those are adorable boys....somehow they can just take all the cares of the world away with those big smiles. I too love the colors in that blanket.

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  14. All I can say is ...I wouldn't have a clue in your class. My mom sewed but I didn't inherit that gene. :) But I do love your photos.

    Blessings and love,
    Debbie

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I am so glad that you would take the time to comment on my thoughts and feelings, it is such a blessing to me!