Thursday, October 30, 2014

Let the Fun Begin!

Hello and welcome to my first-ever blog post! Scarrrrry. I'm a self-taught sewist (with a couple of kind women who helped on a project along the way) and have remained at what I would consider a high-functioning beginner or failure-to-launch intermediate. I can fake it through something I don't completely understand but I've also been known to throw an entire UFO in the trash! Okay, maybe that only happened once. And don't ask me about grading or fitting. You don't wanna know. Now I'm ready to move on up and sew for real!

I decided to blog because all of you bloggers are so inspirational to me. I learn so much and I hope that someday somebody can learn from me. In the meantime, feel free to give me constructive criticism. I can can't can totally take it! I'm like a sponge. The world is my oyster. Yup.

I left my full-time, crazy busy job at the end of June running a non-credit program and wildly successful (if I do say so!) kids' camps at a community college to focus on a commercial embroidery business my husband and I started in January, SmileDog Embroidery. We named it after one of our Boston Terriers, Digby, who is always smiling. We have 3 rescued Bostons (including Stretch who is deaf and super naughty which is completely our fault) and a rescued Rottweiler. We have a studio on our property so I get to work from home and couldn't be happier! Here are the four of them:


And here's Stretch. Now do you see why he's so naughty? You try telling him no. He wanted to be picked up for pictures too. That worked. And you think those ears would pick up some sound, but nope!



While trying to repair a chewed up dog bed and fighting with my Janome 1600P QC, Mr. SmileDogstitches decided we should get an industrial sewing machine. We fell in love! He started looking to replace all of my machines with industrials asking, "Do you need one of these? How about one of these?" I'm sorry, come again? Of course!! I LOVE sewing on industrials. I do have a Singer Sling-O-Matic for buttonholes and zigzag, even though I could have purchased a zigzag foot for one of my straight stitch machines. I like having one "home" sewing machine on hand. Here is my current sewing setup although some machines are moving location to another room soon. 


And here is my Singer Sling-O-Matic. I don't typically name my machines but I think this looks like it's from the Jetsons' era so I named her Penelope Jane. Penelope after the sweet woman who previously owned her and Jane for obvious Jetson reasons. Penelope (the woman) is deaf and I think she was quite amused with the sign language I've taught Stretch. Or not. 


My first "big" project as I jump back in and try to turn it up a notch is going to be the Ginger Jeans from Closet Case Files. I'm going to join the sewalong starting next week and yes, I'm terrified! But I'm also excited! Gosh, I hope they turn out looking like something wearable.

I try not to take myself too seriously and I like to say that "happiness is an inside job" and I think you'll see that once you see my creations. So stay tuned!

6 comments:

  1. Oh my gosh, your pups are so adorable!!! What a happy little brood! Good luck and happy sewing! Hope you love making jeans!!!

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    1. Thank you! They sure are spoiled! Thanks to you I ordered the 1/8" compensating foot...and a bunch of others b/c I got a great deal. Pretty sure I overdid that. :) I'm getting ready to print out my pattern. I'm committed!

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  2. Thank you so much for introducing your self via a comment on my blog! Welcoming to the blogging world too. Read your bio and would like to say "maybe you are advanced". I really don't consider myself advanced but I have completed some difficult projects (though they did take me quite some time). I think that as long as we are happy when we are sewing that's all that matters. Looking forward to seeing lots of your work.

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    1. Thank you! I agree that as long as we are happy when we are sewing that's all that matters...until I end up with a wadder! Ha! We'll see how the jeans go and I look forward to you making them when you are ready. :)

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  3. Welcome to our little blogging world. I just started my blog just a little over 1 year, and just looked back and was glad I did start this blog to help me just if anything reflect. Can't wait to see your Ginger jeans!

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    1. Thank you! Congratulations on a year! That seems like an eternity to me right now. I do think that blogging will speed up my sewing b/c I won't want to have an empty blog. I mean, I know that we should "enjoy the process" and all that jazz, but at 52 it's not like I have a lifetime ahead of me. Haha! I need to get crackin'! Thanks so much for stopping by.

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