Remember when I said facing down a fear totally energizes me? Yesterday I felt positively giddy after conquering my fear of the ever intimidating sewing machine. I went to a press event where Janome was previewing their sewing machines and they let me try out the machines by making a pillow. Turns out sewing on a sewing machine is pretty easy (the threading part still overwhelms me — that was all set up when I sat down to sew.) And making a pillow is easy — check out my pillow!
The back envelope was made with two pieces — I sewed a seam on each piece. Then the two pieces were pinned to the front square, creating an envelope where the pillow form slides in. I sewed a 1/4 inch seam around the back side.
These are the two Janome sewing machines I got to use to make my first pillow ever. The right computerized sewing machine (which has special bells and features for quilting) is just shy of $2000, while the left Janome sewing machine is $399. They both ran like a dream, with buttons that made little details like starting off, finishing, and turning corners practically foolproof. I used to have an inexpensive Singer (was about $200), and I got really frustrated as it couldn't handle cotton canvas — and I love those heavier fabrics. I'm confident that wouldn't happen with one of the Janome machines (even the cheaper models) — you could tell the machines felt sturdier. I also found out that Purl uses Janome sewing machines for their sewing classes. The machines are made in Japan, the capital of cool craft books. I'm hoping to take a sewing class soon.
One finishing trick they showed me: turn the pillow inside-out and snip the corners so there isn't excess fabric — then poke the corners through.
I was tickled to see how straight my seams turned out. The Janome gals called me fastidious. I think it was just my inner perfectionist coming out. Dan even seemed to like my pillow — or at least did a swell job pretending to love my proud achievement of the day. And now sewing on a sewing machine doesn't feel so intimidating. That was so fun!
