Tuesday, 10 January 2012

Research and development

My birdy (in very bad light on a dull day).
I've been meaning to have a go at freestyle machine embroidery for a while (since I saw Kirsty Allsopp doing it on her crafty programme) but I only got as far as the phrase 'drop the feeder dogs on your sewing machine'.

So we had a bit of research (where the flipping heck is the thing that drops the feeder dogs on this berludy machine? Oh, there, hidden) and development (with the aid of some scraps of fabric).

It wasn't love at first sew like it was for Kirsty but then I was tackling it without the help of a handy expert. I sought Mum's advice on things like the weight on the presser foot and the tension and eventually made the birdy (following the instructions on this website). Not bad but not good enough yet. Fun though.
Posted by Maggie Christie at 7:17 pm
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11 comments:

  1. Jen Walshaw10 January 2012 at 19:49

    That is really cool. I need one of those feet that you can see though!

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  2. Milla10 January 2012 at 20:58

    brilliant, PM, brilliant! I love this sort of thing - but, how!?!? My machine is old, about 30 years old - too old? not one of those slinky expensive jobs like Kirstie uses (a Bernina) - tell me, you refer to instructions on "this website" - which website??? Any help gratefully received! thanks.

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  3. Milla10 January 2012 at 20:59

    d'oh .... I click on the phrase. Deary me. Sorry, PM.

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  4. Mummy Manda10 January 2012 at 22:09

    This is amazing! Loved all of KA's programmes - great to see you were inspired! Found out a very interesting fact last week re Kirstie Allsopp, her cousin is Cath Kidston! Xx

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  5. Pipany11 January 2012 at 07:47

    Good work Mrs. Keep at it and it will soon flow x

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  6. Zoë11 January 2012 at 08:59

    I am liking that a lot - and its looking pretty good to my untrained eye!

    I can't even find my machine - let alone the feeder dogs (will they chase the chickens?!)

    Look forward to seeing more - much more

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  7. Chris Stovell11 January 2012 at 14:06

    Honestly, I would be thrilled to berludy bits if I could 'draw' a bird like that, but I would only swear, cry and throw my effort in the bin so much respect to you!

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  8. Bovey Belle11 January 2012 at 16:00

    Well done! This looks fun. I have my machine in action at the moment, so may have a little play later on.

    I could do with an expert close by most of the time too - oh, and a cousin like Cath Kidston as well!

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  9. Deecee Moleymole11 January 2012 at 18:35

    Love the bird-and the style is very 'now'. Don't think I could do it, I have trouble just doing a straight line...

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  10. Dartford Warbler11 January 2012 at 21:35

    My sewing machine is an old hand Singer which my Granny had when she was first married, before World War 1 began. It still does excellent plain sewing but I`m not sure it could cope with Fancy Robins!

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  11. Calico Kate12 January 2012 at 11:02

    Oh well done you, your little bird is very charming. I love freehand ME though the one machine that does it is poorly I keep forgetting to check inside the gubbins to see if I can'drop the feed dogs on my other...
    CKx

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