Instagram anyone?

I've signed up on Instagram and am trying to use it a bit more. I am stacielp on there if you are looking for me, or follow the link. I'm looking at about 50% pet pics and 50% sewing pics.

Also, if you have Instagram let me know, so I can follow you.

New machine?

The last couple projects have been a struggle to get through. My machine goes 8-12 inches at most and then creates a big nest as shown on the scrap sample above. I have tried everything I can think of to fix the issue on my own. I feel like last time I got my machine serviced, about a year ago, it cost about $180, but it wasn't the same. So here is where I am stuck. Do I go spend another $180, probably more since there is an issue, or do I buy a new machine?

I currently have a Singer 7468 which I started sewing on. Long story short, Mr. Thinks He Can did some work on a will and accepted this machine as payment. :-) Wasn't that sweet? However, I never got to pick a machine out, and now I think I know enough that I have a few things I would like on a machine that I don't currently have.

                                  

This is one I am looking at getting. It is the Brother PC-420. I like the LCD screen so I can have exact numbers on my stitches. I love the automatic thread cutter button. Also, many Brothers look like they have little space to the right of the needle which would make quilting hard, this one looks larger.It's not the cheapest, but it is on sale and looks like an upgrade. 

Does anyone have this machine or something similar? If so what are your thoughts? Do you have a machine that is under about $400 that you just love? Should I just fix what I have?

More Hummingbird

I had to make another one. I meant to make this one a little longer, but I made it a little more fitted, so it sits a bit higher on me. This is another Hummingbird skirt by Cake Patterns. I cannot tell you how much I love this pattern. 

Here you can see the length more. This is a shiny denim I found on clearance at Joann. I saw it and decided to channel my inner Sallie Oh because I am still crushing on her metallic mini skirt. I admit I am just a cheap imitation, but someday I will have cool gold fabric too!

Oh yeah, check out my sweet lapped zipper!

It isn't perfect, but for a first try I couldn't be happier with the results. I used Sunni's free Mastering Zippers class on Craftsy to do it. It is a great resource if you have never checked into Craftsy. At least go sign up for the free zipper class!

Oh and what's that in my pocket? Just a little Jungle January tribute! Hot pink leopard just worked perfectly on this one!

Winter Hummingbird

Why the heck did it take me so long to make a skirt from Cake Pattern's Hummingbird pattern?

Look, my new grey corduroy skirt invoked a strange happy dance.OK, maybe just a strange face, but the picture was too funny not to include.

I love these pockets. They don't add any bulk and are deep enough to hold my cell phone without it sticking out. 

I have some red corduroy and weird shiny denim which I think will both become Hummingbird skirts.

The pockets are made so there is no rolling out and the corduroy goes down deep enough that the back of the pocket is totally secure as well. And yes, I do normally wear that much dog hair. 

The pockets are actually sewn into the side and front panel seams, so I won't walk around like a hobo with my pockets hanging out...not that that ever happens. I just used muslin, but next time I will use a cuter pocket fabric.

True story, this was supposed to be a wearable muslin, so I didn't try very hard on the zipper. I just put in a standard one the plain old way. To be honest I don't love invisible zippers. Yes, they are easy to insert and invisible, but I just don't think they last long. I had a nude colored metal zipper which you can see a little. But I have still worn this skirt twice in the days, so obviously it doesn't bother me. I may lap the next version though.

What? I even sewed in the hook and tab! I almost always skip that entirely, so you know I must have liked this one.  First project and first win in 2014!!! I hope the rest of the year goes this well. 

Machine problem

Can anyone look at this picture and give me suggestions? I am trying to hem a sweatshirt knit...it should not be this hard. I tried a double needle and resorted to zig zag stitch and got the same result both ways on the bobbin side.

I tried a few obvious things like rethreading the machine, using a new bobbin, taking apart the machine to make sure nothing crawled in there and died, adjusted tension, etc. Now I'm ready to throw it all, machine, project, scissors, out the window. It's 5 o'clock somewhere, right?