Hi! I don’t really have anyone to share this with but I’m excited and I hope you’re all excited too! I got my first sewing machine and my grandma taught me how to use it! What should I make first? (Machine in the back is my grandma’s)
Be very careful! This will turn into an addiction! It starts with one machine, now look at us with 5 boxes of scraps and 100 yards of fabric 😂 CONGRATS! Welcome to the sewing club!
That's a very good choice. The Singer 239 Fashion Mate is usually inexpensive because it's basic and unglamorous, but it's all metal, well made, and tough. It will eventually make you a pair of jeans, no problem. This is the manual in case you need it:
FYI, the 237 is the same machine except it has a zig zag stitch. If your machine has been sitting, or if Grandma hasn't oiled it in a year, borrow her sewing oil and do that first. Instructions are on p. 29-30 of the manual. Then this is a nice intro video:
You can get a buttonholer attachment for it cheap if you are in the US, and it will make perfect buttonholes. This is apparently the correct one for your machine:
As for what to sew, I'd go for something wearable. This skirt tutorial is from one of my fave YouTubers. It will teach you some skills that aren't complicated:
What a beauty! As already suggested, find a manual for it and read it. In particular, read/learn how to oil it; older machines like that do need to be oiled every now and then.
As for what to make first with it: I suggest making something small/useful for your grandma! One thing I like to make for my sewing friends (that oddly they never seem to think to make for themselves) is a tools organizer that you place under the sewing machine and the pockets hang over the edge of the table/desk/whatever your machine is on. Search "sewing machine organizer pad pattern" for ideas and free patterns if this is something you'd be interested in making.
Congrats on your first sewing machine!!! I got my first from a thrift store for $23 a couple years ago. I highly recommend you search for a manual for your machine so you can fix any issues that may arise (easily found online if u search the model number and brand + manual). For a first project, I made a pencil case and bucket hat, since patterns were freely available on Pinterest. Enjoy your machine!
Be very careful! This will turn into an addiction! It starts with one machine, now look at us with 5 boxes of scraps and 100 yards of fabric 😂 CONGRATS! Welcome to the sewing club!
Thank you! And happy cake day!
That machine will outlive us all with some oil.
That's a very good choice. The Singer 239 Fashion Mate is usually inexpensive because it's basic and unglamorous, but it's all metal, well made, and tough. It will eventually make you a pair of jeans, no problem. This is the manual in case you need it:
https://www.manualslib.com/manual/587281/Singer-Fashion-Mate-239.html?page=5#manual
Parts are available here:
https://www.vintagesingerparts.com/collections/singer-model-237-239-sewing-machine-parts-accessories
FYI, the 237 is the same machine except it has a zig zag stitch. If your machine has been sitting, or if Grandma hasn't oiled it in a year, borrow her sewing oil and do that first. Instructions are on p. 29-30 of the manual. Then this is a nice intro video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9hRtlHbrF7I
You can get a buttonholer attachment for it cheap if you are in the US, and it will make perfect buttonholes. This is apparently the correct one for your machine:
https://shopgoodwill.com/item/251328637
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Bxttwl8VRY
As for what to sew, I'd go for something wearable. This skirt tutorial is from one of my fave YouTubers. It will teach you some skills that aren't complicated:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Iz7mqytLQHI
Get a printed bed sheet (to hide any wonky stitches) and have at it. Might help if you did it with Grandma the first time.
These are workhorse machines. Highly recommended you find a manual online and keep it maintained. Hope you love sewing!
What a beauty! As already suggested, find a manual for it and read it. In particular, read/learn how to oil it; older machines like that do need to be oiled every now and then.
As for what to make first with it: I suggest making something small/useful for your grandma! One thing I like to make for my sewing friends (that oddly they never seem to think to make for themselves) is a tools organizer that you place under the sewing machine and the pockets hang over the edge of the table/desk/whatever your machine is on. Search "sewing machine organizer pad pattern" for ideas and free patterns if this is something you'd be interested in making.
Congrats on your first sewing machine!!! I got my first from a thrift store for $23 a couple years ago. I highly recommend you search for a manual for your machine so you can fix any issues that may arise (easily found online if u search the model number and brand + manual). For a first project, I made a pencil case and bucket hat, since patterns were freely available on Pinterest. Enjoy your machine!
That's wonderful! I love my older machines :)
I have one of those. Nigh on indestructible. Mine is an ex-home economics machine that my husband bought at an auction..
Happy sewing! Such a workhorse!
That's a beaut and a total workhorse. Great find!
Congratulations 😊 I got my first machine about a month ago.