Janome new vs old

Hey there, thanks for joining me for another post. I know I'm surprised too, I'm finally starting to get back into a flow again and it feels good. I think I had forgotten what drew me to creating a blog way back in 2008, I wanted a way of capturing my creative journey and although I got a little lost on my way, its really starting to feel like the old me is back again.

So this post is all about getting ready for the new chapter in my sewing journey. As some of you may know I am the very proud owner of a vintage (I think I can call it that, lol) 'New Home' Janome sewing machine. 

Isn't she pretty. 

I've had her for at least the last 8 year and she was given to me by a friend of the family (Hi Maureen if you're reading this *waves*). All of my bags and other creations have been made on this machine and I've had the best of fun along the way. She even has a secret, one side she is a sewing machine and on the other size she is an over locker!!! I know crazy right!! As far as I'm aware I've never seen another one like her. She sews like a dream too, probably because I have taken the very best of care with her, making sure she has an annual service. I have to say she has a very special place in my heart. 

Now I bet you are all thinking, if you love her so much then why can we see photos of a new Janome. Well let me explain.......

My 'old' machine (I dont really like calling her that) does all the essential stitches as you can see above and she does them all very well.

So let me introduce you to my new Janome DC3050 (I think this particular model is only available through John Lewis), now this one does an impressive 50 stitches, specifically I had my eye on the stretch stitch (No.05) and to be totally honest, I bet I will never use over half of them. It also does lots of high tech (well they're high tech for me anyway) stuff and there's a needle threader, which I love!!

I spent an hour or two having a little play with it, and had a go at some of the more decorative stitches. I love the scalloped blanket stitch (2nd from the bottom). Sadly I dont think I will have much use for most of them but I bought the machine because of the good reviews and the fact its a really good quality machine. 

This week I have actually spent some time making some cushions that I've been meaning to get on with for (can I really tell you how long....???) OK I'm going to tell you, 2 years. Please dont judge me on that, in my defence there's been a lot going on which has prevented me from getting started. 

So whats the verdict then, well the new machine sews just as well as the old, it is a little bit quieter, of course it has all those stitches and the needle threader its self is worth it :) Obviously its not an over locker but thats where my old faithful Janome comes into play. As you can see from the photo further up that I have them both set up on my work desk. Another bonus is that all the machine feet I have for my old machine can be used on the new one!! I'm looking forward to getting stuck into a dressmaking project to really give the new machine a road test.

I am a lucky bunny indeed, two Janome sewing machines!!! If you know me, you will know that I will cherish both machines and look after them so that they bring me many more years of sewing enjoyment. 

thanks for stopping by, have a lovely weekend,

Emma xxx

Rolled hems - lets do this

Here we are my lovelies, its Friday again. Today I have locked myself away in my sewing room to try and get my head space in order! So there's been lots of coffee and some biscuits of the chocolate variety (I'm treating myself today as I think its more than needed. I still cant get my head round how fast the weeks are going by and I know I keep saying it but I cant work it out. Maybe I should stop trying to. 

Anyway still playing catch up with blog posts, now if you do follow over on Instagram you will have seen some of these photos quite a while ago. I bought a scarf for a friend from a lovely lady on Etsy, I have to put it out there first that I have bought many scarves and they are beautiful, the prints are gorgeous, they are well made, the packaging is so lovely and her customer service is second to non. 

So I made the purchase, it arrived in the post, I opened it to have a good look at the beautiful print and to my horror there was a hole about the size of an egg cup and some smaller ones......crikes!! It was for a birthday present and I didn't have time to re-order :( After a very lovely and apologetic email from the lady, we decided that I would have a think about it over night and I'd be in touch with my decision (refund, replacement etc).

Isn't it gorgeous!!!!!! 

So after thinking about it for a couple of hours, I thought I'm being really silly here, I can sew, I have a machine, it has a rolled hem foot, I've sewed a rolled hem before (given it was about 15 years ago lol)....maybe I could fix this??????

No, I couldn't possibly try?? Could I? Cut off the damaged piece and re-hem it.....are you CRAZY woman!!!

Well I bloody well had a go and this is how it turned out!!!!!!! I know I couldn't believe it either :D 

Now I'm not gonna lie to you, I was absolutely errrrmmmmm, well lets just say I held my breath for most of the time I was sewing it!!!!! 

How pleased was I with myself? Well I might have been a little bit smug about my efforts but when I emailed the lady I bought it from I was very modest about it all. She was so impressed and we came to an agreement about some discount and free postage on my next order....because there will be a next time, Oh yes! Don't you know I'm addicted to scarves?  They are my adults version of a comfort blanket lol

Here I am sewing the hem.......

And this is the finished scarf. My friend loved it and I was honest and told her what had happened and that I had modified it. She said that made it even better, that I had put so much effort into it. So big pat on the back for me. I love giving gifts, even more so when its something that I have sewn, even if it were just a tiny tiny rolled hem :)

thanks for stopping by my lovelies, have a fabulous weekend,
Emma xxx