Tonight I made Nila’s pillowcase dress tonight, using my BRAND NEW sewing machine. And, it was hard. I’ve never used a sewing machine before, and it was not as simple as I thought it would be. I MIGHT show you a picture tomorrow, when Nila is up and can try it on, but frankly, it looks like a dress made out of a pillowcase!
Not In Kansas 
You can do it!! As I’ve been told about knitting, nobody is perfect in the beginning, be prepared to start over, and over and over again!! Even professionals have torn work apart, repeatedly. The key is to not give up and think of the pillow case dress as a beginning of beautiful creations. I would like to think I have made great progress from Nila’s pitiful blanket to Brandi’s much better scarf. Keep at it, shortly you’ll marvel at how far you’ve come.
That’s why I hate sewing. When I went to a sewing class with your Aunt Kathy, the sewing instructor figured out that I was an acountant right off the bat because I was such a perfectionist.I must have torn the stiched out of that oven dress over a dozen times just to get it done. A few good hints are get a good seam ripper and the type of pins that have heads on them. They make it easier to sew with. But Tammy’s right, you WILL get better at it, and you will start over many times. Have you figured out how to thread the bobbins yet? And there is a mark near the needle that if you keep you material next to that line, you’ll end up with perfect measurements on your seams. Have fun with it, you’ll get better the more you practice with it. Like I said before, ask your Aunt Kathy about sewing, she’s been taking sewing lessons for about two years now,and she sews her granddaughter beautiful clothes and doll clothes. Just email her and ask her for some shortcuts and hints. She’ll help you through it. I think it’s cool that you are the type of mom that sews clothes for her child. Way to go, supermom!
Being nosey here… just because I’m in the market for a sewing machine as well… what did you get and was it expensive? I’m trying to find something durable that will do a good job without having to spend a lot of money. I can’t even talk about how I nearly fainted when I priced some Berninas!
Aimee,
We foudn it on Craigslist for $35. A steal. It’s a Brother, but I’m not sure what kind. Definitely a base model though – nothing fancy.
Angie