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I thought I was smart….

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until my machine jammed over and over and then I broke a needle.DSCF4140

I was making an mp3 player holder as a gift for a sweet 8 year old girl in our neighborhood.  Her mom said she’d love if it could be worn on her wrist.

I searched online and found this tutorial on Sew Mama Sew that looked super easy.  It was, until I thought I would just add some elastic threaded through a tube of matching fabric that scrunches to be even cuter.  It doesn’t look bad…but I know the stitching is horribly crooked.DSCF4142

Now, my machine = wimpy.  And I am pretty sure not many machines could sew through this many layers of fabric, batting, and elastic.  My dreams of being a genius were shattered:DSCF4143

Check out the lower right hand corner.  Seriously…my machine hates me.  Anything over 3 layers of fabric is too much for it and it jams.DSCF4141

At least the fabric is cute and it’s still functional!DSCF4144

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Comments

  1. It most certainly IS a cute little gift. But I must disagree with you on whether or not your machine hates you. It loves you, it’s just tired. It knew how much you wanted to spread joy and TRIED! It did try, but it was exhausted. How do I know this? (aside from being magickally connected to the sewing machine mind…) My machines did the same. I would ask a simple task of them after years of bliss, and, well, they were too tired (and embarrassed) to complete the task. Consider getting a partner for your little friend…a Husqvarna…that way, you won’t make your current machine sad and feeling rejected, but grateful its new friend can handle the tougher jobs. Just sayin’….

  2. Do you adjust the pressure of the foot with those extra layers? I just learned how to do this and it made a big difference for me.

  3. I think this is still super cute and I bet the recipient won’t notice crooked stitching lines or imperfect corners. What I’ve learned through sewing is that most people don’t notice that stuff. Only until I point it out….so I’ve stopped pointing it out.

  5. What a cool idea, thanks for posting. As a suggestion for your machine, try using a size 16 jeans needle, these are meant for thick, heavy jeans material and should work better than a standard needle. Also, go slow, even my machine bogs down when I ask it to sew through so many layers and slowing down seems to help. Enjoying your blog, happy new year! Ani

  6. Your little neighbor girl will LOVE that you cared enough to create something for her…crooked stitches and all.

    Sorry your machine is giving you fits. Did you adjust the tension and use a needle for thick fabrics? Sometimes these little tricks help when sewing through thick layers. Good luck! Don’t give up on your machine. Sew, sew again! Happy Tuesday! :o)

  7. I sorta did the same exact thing with a coupon shopping list organizer that I just made. My husq went through it fine after I changed my needle. Maybe she needs a little tune up. But really, it is super cute! Im sure no one will be able to tell the difference!

  9. It really is super cute, Christie. And you are always welcome to use my steel beast if and when needed.

  10. I LOVE that tutorial!! Did you try sweet-talking your machine? Like “Come on baby, just finish this one thing and you can have a rest. Promise.” Sometimes that works for me ;)

  11. I think that is the cutest idea! But I’m sorry that your machine isn’t being very nice. If it means anything, it looks perfect to me!

    Thanks for posting :)

  15. Reading the post and the comments makes me think of one of my dear friend/sewing mentor’s favorite phrase…”You won’t notice it on a galloping horse.” :-) And I KNOW that an 8 yr old with a portable mp3 will definitely be galloping. It is awesome..we are our own worse critics. :-)

  16. This very cute, my machine does the same to me:( I wish I could afford a Bernina, mine is a Kenmore.

  17. Oh I think it’s lovely, and you (and your machine) have done an excellent job considering all those layers. The fabric is fab, I don;t think yo would notice the little flaws if they weren’t pointed out.

  18. I was making dolly back packs for Christmas gifts (among lots of other little things) and my machine was doing the same thing. I was so frustrated and ,as usual, waiting until the last minute to make these gifts. Not knowing what else to do I took apart(to my ability) the feed dog and bobbin compartment and just picked out all the fuzzies with a little bristled brush and put in a new needle. Amazingly it fixed it. I still went slow ,especially over the really thick spots.

  20. I’m sorry your machine is sad/tired. My 25 year old inherited serger died over Christmas. I’m not sure how to move on. But I agree with getting a very basic Husqvarna. It has changed my life :)

  21. Haha, if there’s one thing I’ve learned in sewing, it’s that it’s NEVER my fault, it’s always the machine’s :). If only! But the holder still looks adorable, and I’m sure she’ll love it!

  22. It is ADORABLE, and I am sure you are the only one who really sees the mishaps…but I can relate to having a wimpy machine. Someday I will have enough muscle in my machine to do some major sewing.

  23. It looks great! Does your machine have a walking foot? I used mine for the first time this Christmas when I was making teacher gifts with a lot of layers. It worked really nicely.

  24. I think it just looks great and the idea is awesome. And I am not sure anyone but you would notice you had a problem…
    I must also confess I am kind of glad that, for one, something you made isn’t just totally perfect ;-) Christie, you’re human, that’s awesome ;-))