[Nfb-krafters-korner] Sewing Class

Tue Jan 31 04:06:12 UTC 2012

Jewell,

A Featherweight is a great little machine,, but it does just straight  
stitch.  It is the machine I pulled out when I first went blind and got up  the 
nerve to sit down and give it a try once again.  I made my living  sewing 
and creating clowns while my kids were growing up.  I sewed most of  their 
clothes when they were little fromT- shirts, overalls pants, dresses even  boys 
underware.  There jockey pants were made out of the same material as  their 
T-shirts.  So when I first sat down to give it a try without sight I  
wanted a simple machine that I was accustom  to without any bells and  whistles.  
I wanted no buttons  to think about just simple.  That  was my 
Featherweight.  I had gotten it when I was 16 years old and I bought  it myself.  My Mom 
had a Singer treddle  machine that I learned how to  sew on when I was 11, 
but then she got a new machine and I learned how to sew on  the new machine, 
but it was in the kitchen and I had to clean up all my stuff  before supper 
and put it awayso I loved sewing and hated putting everything away  right 
in the middle of doing it.  So got my own machine and set it up in my  
bedroom.

I am glad I did not get rid of things.  I hung onto them.  It  took me a 
little more then a year to pack up all my camera stuff as prior to me  losing 
my sight I was taking some camera classes for fun and learning so much  and 
my son gave me his older 35 mm camera so I learned all the dials and  
settings and what they did.  Taking the classes I had to use those dials  and 
buttons to capture different things and we even went out to take pictures at  
night.  I had bought lens and filters and stuff for this camera and it took  a 
little over a year before I even touched it and then gave it to my son.   I 
had to show him every new thing I had gotten for it.  I think he gave it  
to my daughter when he got a newer one.  

I would suggest you get a machine that has zig zag and a few stitches in  
case you want to make some clothes or something.  I do use my Featherweight  
for sewing quilt blocks.  Perfect for those 1/4 inch seams and straight  
stitches.  There is no way that I know of to drop the feed dogs down so you  
can free hand quilt with the Featherweight, but I have heard of blind folks  
doing it with other machines.

So it does come down to what do you want to make with your sewing machien  
and then find a machine that will do it.

Joyce  Kane
_www.KraftersKorner.org_ (http://www.krafterskorner.org/) 
Blindhands at AOL.com   

In a message dated 1/30/2012 10:03:18 P.M. Eastern Standard Time,  
gary.brewer at comcast.net writes:

Wow,  Jewel,
Look how far you have come. Angry because you thought you were  washed up 
and now excited about sewing again. Soon you will be the seamstress  you want 
to be. Maybe not the seamstress you were but the one that is perfect  for 
this time in your life. 

Now, I was searching for a featherlight  when i was looking for my machine. 
I am sure they are good but you might be  sorry if you get such a simple 
machine. I am glad to have my zigzag and lots  of choices of stitches I didn't 
think I could use them but I can. I just  recorded my friends discriptions 
when she was teaching me and then wrote out  cards with instructions that i 
can use. 

But forget your angry days or  at least put them in perspective. Move on as 
you have with so many things  already and have fun. 

Yes, blinded for life or newly blinded we all  sure got a lot from this 
group.
Henrietta
On Oct 24, 2011, at 10:18 AM,  Zimmer, Cindy wrote:

> Jewell,
> Do not be too hard on  yourself.  I cannot tell you the number of clients 
I have heard this type  of thing from.  (Giving away items in anger or 
frustration when you lose  your sight.)  If it makes you feel any better, think 
of the individual  who gave away all their power tools and tool boxes when 
they lost their  sight.  Go find a used sewing machine and get to sewing girl!
>  
> Smile,
> Cindy
> 
> 
> -----Original  Message-----
> From: nfb-krafters-korner-bounces at nfbnet.org  
[mailto:nfb-krafters-korner-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Jewell  Boll
> Sent: Saturday, October 22, 2011 7:41 AM
> To: List for  blind crafters and artists
> Subject: Re: [Nfb-krafters-korner] Sewing  Class
> 
>    Hi Ramona,
> 
> I must  apologize for my weird comment about "waddling through" when 
asked 
>  why I didn't intercede. I did not think it proper to interfere with your 

> teaching ability.  You did a great job teaching the class as all  the 
> students achieved their goal of attaching the pocket to he  apron.  I 
must 
> also commend the students for their patience and  perseverance.  As one 
> writer put it, we are all learning from  each other and from our 
mistakes. 
> The concept of teaching sewing via  phone is unique and challenging.  You 
> have all showed me that  sewing can be done without sight and I regret 
now 
> that I gave  hundreds of dollars worth of sewing tools and equipment away 
to 
> a  thrift store in anger because I could no longer continue my passion of 

> sewing.
> 
> I have learned so much from this list and  found out that I can do so 
much 
> even without sight.  I thank  Joyce for her work in starting this list 
and 
> maintaining it.
>  
> Now, since I am inspired, and I am looking for a machine, who makes  the 
> Featherweight?
> 
> Love all of you guys and keep up  the good work.
> 
> Jewell
> 
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