Tuesday 31 January 2012

Brand New Friend

I have been in a bad relationship. I knew it was all wrong, but I just didn't get round to doing anything about it.

                                    Well, I don't know when I'll be content, but I do know I need...




                                                                    ... a Brand New Friend!


I've had a Brother sewing machine for the last few years, but I never really liked it - not sure why, I just struggled with it. So when I came to use it for my latest project and it kept jamming (let me count the times), I finally saw the light and decided to get rid. Luckily my local sewing machine emporium reconditions and sells secondhand machines, so I took it in, and negotiated a good deal on this baby. Yes, I know it looks as though it's meant for a child. Unfortunately, that's about my level.

Sew much better!

Since it was a cold sleety grey old day, I decided to spend the afternoon getting acquainted with my new friend. I ran off 10m of bunting, to be used at our upcoming jumble sale.



                                 
Does it look like a pile of thongs to you too? I assure you it isn't! You really wouldn't want to see my old pants hanging up anywhere...


Not feeling in the slightest bit glamorous today, but I'll show you anyway, it's good to challenge my ego by publicly acknowledging my dowdy days.



     The dress is only a supermarket brand and nothing special, but at 20p from Saturday's jumble, it's OK.




I do like brown, and I think it suits me, but I find it hard not to feel drab in it. Even when it's cashmere. I was warm though!




More bunting to be cut and sewn, then what shall I make? Am I asking oh for so much? You could do anything you wanted to.....




I bought this Hawaiian cotton maxi from Chesterfield flea market last week but it's too big.  Might take the side seams in. On my new machine. Cos I've got a Brand New Friend, woo hoo!


PS. And you can blame my not-so-brand-new friend Sarah for my current Lloyd Cole obsession. She started it!

                                                                             xxxxx

20 comments:

Dawn said...

Lovely blog, reading now. Nice to meet you. Dawn Suitcase Vignettes xo

Miss Simmonds Says said...

I need to be friends with my sewing machine. It refuses to wind the bobbin until my mum walks in then it miraculously works. Argh! I need to start dressing up more if this is a down day. Help!

Krista said...

Love love love your new machine I mean it's pink and orange come on :) I got rid of my Brothers as we just didn't jive and got a Hello Kitty Janome and I love the ease of it! I love what you have already made and I would love those hanging off my deck in the summer breeze. You look fab in this I don't know what your talking about. I think you should totally make a sweet mini dress out of your new find.
BIGHUGSandaslapontheass~
Krista

Louise Mc said...

Oooh fab maxi. I don't think you look at all dowdy, I love browns too. X

Lakota [Faith Hope and Charity Shopping] said...

You're so far from dowdy, what a daft thing to say!

I have retreated to my usual position of fearing my sewing machine, it is very much not my friend and thwarts me at every available opportunity. I do like that Maxi, and the way you blithely talk of taking in seams. It's as if it's easy or something!

lucy joy said...

Dowdy? Never, you ain't got it in you Curtise.

I'm terrified of sewing machines, petrified!
I'm so clumsy I'd end up with no nerve endings left in my hands.
The bunting looks like a pile of the coolest thongs ever!
Maybe you should just cut two ovals out at the side of the Hawaiian dress, I reckon you could pull it off. Especially in the sleet.
You do look lovely in brown, by the way.

Lucy x

Fiona said...

Dowdy you are not! Fantabulous 20p buy and you look great in it. Good luck with your sewing machine although you seem to have got to grips with it already. I don't have a good relationship with mine, its circa 1970 and every time I put it to use it results in much effing and blinding.

Anonymous said...

You are so not dowdy!! I love how u can use a sewing machine - I haven't used one in over a decade!!!
That maxi will look fab on u after the alterations!! :)

Rose&Bird said...

Dowdy? Definitely not - you make far more of an effort than I do!
Great that you've got to grips with the sewing machine - not every machine works for every person, so I'm glad you're happy with your new one. Looking forward to seeing more creations x

Loo xx from Jumbles and Pompoms said...

Repeat after me "I am not dowdy, I am not dowdy.". Now, stop that silly talk immediately, missus. I was in brown today: brown top, skirt and boots but I did wear teal tights to cheer up the brown a little..

Classy looking bunting. Looking forward to seeing more of your creations. xx

Vintage Coconut said...

Well now... You got yourself one of the best darned machines there is!
ELNA is my favorite *hehe*
My Elna is a 1957 Elna and she is green. (Type Elna is my search on my blog and you can see my love for Elna posts) ahahah
Yours is so cute I love the colors. I read Elnas really keep their value so what's more cool than that?
(May I just say you freak me out a litte more each time you post!)
~In a good way of course Curtise~

*Bwhahah* At a pile of thongs. (Yes it does indeed)

You look nice in your 20p dress it's not as colorful as most of your outfits but heck you make it look good.

OKAY HAWAIIAN COTTON MAXI is ADORABLE. you JUST must make it fit you.
I mean better a dress too big (That you can take in) Than a dress to small (That you have to get rid of) =D

I haven't been to any thrifts in almost 5 days... *I am going batty*
I keep thinking what could be sitting on the shelf I am missing out on. *LOL*

Miss Simmonds Says said...

Hey what's all this not creative business? When I read that I came back here to say look at all that lovely neat bunting! I couldn't do that without much swearing and the sewing machine breaking

Anonymous said...

I like that dress on you, you def have the legs for it! I just got a brother machine. It was pretty cheap and so far no problems but we'll see!

two squirrels said...

Oh the last time I was on the sewing machine, Mr Warren said " move away from the machine before you blow a circuit" thats me not the machine!!!!! Eeeeeek.
Love love that dress, you look gorgeous in it, and 20p that's the best!!!!!
Miss Dowdy and you will never meet! NEVER!
Love V

Max said...

Browns not dowdy, its autumnal, rustic, erm, natural? Anyway don't most people look like pensioners in winter, I know I do! I am in awe of your compliant new machine. I have a passive-aggressive relationship with my 1980 cost $10 elna. I'm passive and it's aggressive. and I fear if I got a new one I have nothing to blame for shoddy sewing!

Unknown said...

Yeah... you're dowdy, I'm blonde, Helga is dull, Vix is frumpy, Krista is colourless and Dora is flat chested... what???

You are like the opposite of dowdy - you are spectacularly, fabulously, wonderfully, exquisitely, sensationally spectacular! Got it? Good!

I suspect that the problem with my sewing machine that is stuck in reverse is that it is a Brother... they are all obviously defective and crap!

Your bunting is delightful (ooh err... that is totally a euphemism) and I can't wait to see what other treasures you whip up!

Love you more than sewing machines! Sarah xxx

Vix said...

Dowdy my arse! With your banging bod and fabulous looks you could never be anything other than gorgeous.
Love that mini dress, the print is fabulously retro and dead sexy to boot. That Hawaiian maxi is a stunner and even cuter once you've nipped the side seams in. xxx

karensomethingorother said...

I have resisted clicking on your new post icon till now because the sewing machine was laughing at me. I stink at sewing, and have yet to conquer mine, which still sits in the basement.

Looking forward to what you do to that maxi!

Vintage Sweetheart said...

Yay for a new machine. My baby is basically brand new. I have a fear of it for some silly reason. Love the bunting and I can't wait to see what you do with the frock. xx

Nelly said...

I biought same machine for my grandaughter am using it at the moment as mine is in the shop.Oh how I hated my Brother machine was a gift from hubby many years ago and was an albatross for many years too I now use a Janome for me but the Elna has been great too.