Doll Artist and Teacher: Preserving the art of making dolls and Artist Member of the Original Doll Artist Council of America (ODACA).
Frustration!
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Hello Reader, I sew a lot, sometimes every day. It's never a good time for equipment failure. I love my sewing machine, a Bernina 165 that was purchased in 2006 (manufactured in 2004). Over the last month or two, the reverse/back-stitch button has been increasingly glitchy to the point that it has stopped working altogether. It works fine in every other respect, but the reverse feature is used on EVERYTHING. So I took it to the Bernina doctor. He informed me that my machine is older and has sewn 2.6 million stitches! And guess what? The replacement part is no longer available. The repairman will try to jerry rig something, but this will not be a permanent fix. It'll probably take three weeks to get my machine back. No problem, I pulled out my circa 1970 Viking (even though it doesn't have the extremely handy needle-down option.) I used it yesterday. Not great, but I made it work. Today, the reverse button is stuck in the back-stitch position, and nothing I do will release it. Ironic, right? So I pulled out my basic Janome Travel Mate (I had to Google how to thread it). It has even fewer buttons and whistles than the Viking and is extremely inefficient when sewing little doll parts. I want to cry. While I have an even older Bernina (model 1230), it is currently living at my mom's house a couple hours away. I might have to swipe it back (sorry, Mom). But ultimately, I may need to look into buying a new machine. It breaks my heart. What machines do you use? Recommendations? I'm leaning toward another Bernina - or something that will use the same bobbins. I really don't need anything fancy, but the needle-down option is a must. Knee controlled presser foot up/down is awfully nice, too.
*Have you missed any Tips or Tutorials?* Tip #1: Sewing with Freezer Paper
Tip #3: Sewing Stripes Tip #4: Realistic Fingernails
Tip #6: Drafting a Clothing Pattern Tip #7: Pleater Board Tutorial
Deanna Hogan
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Deanna Hogan, Blue Heron Dolls
Doll Artist and Teacher: Preserving the art of making dolls and Artist Member of the Original Doll Artist Council of America (ODACA).
Hello Reader, It took over two weeks, but the new pattern is finally completed. Creating a new pattern means making another doll, writing instructions and photographing each step, proofreading I don't know how many times, and drawing the pattern pieces (without being overly caffeinated. 'Tis the Season She still needs her official photo shoot (she's kind of washed out in this photo), but she is done. I've just added the pattern to my Etsy store and website, but wanted to offer it here at a...
Hello Reader, As one of my New Year's Resolutions, I took on the daunting task of cleaning out the attic. We've lived in this old Craftsman (built around 1918) since 1993 and during that time, the attic, while convenient (too convenient, apparently) facilitated the accumulation of many things. I'm a sentimental fool, but as I pulled boxes, crates, sacks and bins of stuff out of the two attic spaces (east and west sides of the house), I became less precious. After many trips to Goodwill and...
Hello Reader, I've been thinking about this year's Christmas ornament design/pattern. I have a few ideas, but have decided to make a caroler. Yesterday I took a break from the "Big Project" to get a start on a prototype. I hope to have the caroler holding a music book, dressed in winter attire, and with an open mouth (painted) to mimic singing. Right now I'm working on proportions. If this first draft is too big, I can always reduce it while still maintaining these proportions. Already I can...