[Nfb-krafters-korner] Sewing Class

Tue Jan 31 18:24:07 UTC 2012

I have a Singer Futura sewing machine. It can also convert into an 
embroidery machine, though to me, it is quite a cumbersome process.
It is electronic in the sense that it has a screen and slider bars with 
lights. However, it does have some audio feedback, which is not speech, but 
beeps, which will indicate if your slider is within a certain correct stitch 
range. It also has buttons, which makes a soft clicking noise, so I can 
count with one button in tens and another advances from 1 to 9.
This machine has quite a few decorative and edge stitches.
I had someone read me the stitch chart, so I can check the name and number 
of a stitch if I haven't used it in some time.
What I like about it also, is that it is fairly simple to thread. I 
eventually managed to master the lever they call an automatic needle 
threader, although one can thread the machine easily with any other method 
you prefer.
Lastly, I am lucky to have a place not too far from my home that are 
experienced with servicing Singer machines, although I haven't had problems 
with my machine so far.
HTH
Lindy

Find PRACTICAL PRODUCTS on FACEBOOK: 
http://www.facebook.com/practicalproducts
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Ramona Walhof" <ramona.walhof at gmail.com>
To: "List for blind crafters and artists" <nfb-krafters-korner at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Tuesday, January 31, 2012 6:30 PM
Subject: Re: [Nfb-krafters-korner] Sewing Class

> 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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