[Nfb-krafters-korner] Sewing Class

Ramona Walhof ramona.walhof at gmail.com
Tue Jan 31 16:30:33 UTC 2012 

Jewel, I must have missed a message from you.  If you are thinking about 
buying a Featherweight, it is a good machine.  The next step up might be 
even better.  Did you find somebody near you who can service the machine if 
it is needed?  I don't know who is handling singer products now, but there 
are so many Singer machines out there that somebody is.

Ramona
----- Original Message ----- 
From: <Blindhands at aol.com>
To: <nfb-krafters-korner at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Monday, January 30, 2012 9:06 PM
Subject: Re: [Nfb-krafters-korner] Sewing Class


> 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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