Cicy's Projects

As a complete beginner at sewing, this week has been a bit overwhelming, but I am so eager to create my own vintage styled wardrobe! Let me get into how Week 1. of sewing a new vintage wardrobe for myself went (spoilers: good enough!).

So the machine I am using is my mom’s white Seiko Special 3800 sewing machine with about a billion settings, a thousand options, and weight about 20 horses. It has a little light right above the needle, works when plugged in, and has a foot pedal. It comes with a protective cover and has several small pockets designed to hold thread, needles, and other bits and bobs whose purposes I am yet to concern myself with. It’s pretty nice. I have nothing to compare it with, but I’m sure it’s one hell of a sewing machine.

The first time I opened up my little machine, I was thoroughly confused because there was no thread in it. Bless her soul, my mom sat down with me and explained everything on the machine, from all the buttons to the little twisting handles. She showed me how I should set up the machine from ground zero. We spent the most time on putting the thread in the machine. To my surprise, once she was done showing me, she yanked the thread, which fell right out of the machine onto the table. My mom then looked at me, handed me the thread, and pointed at the machine… So, the very lengthy and frustrating process of me trying to recollect the steps began, but I did thread the needle finally. I looked up at my mom smiling triumphantly. She smiled back, told me how good I did (which made me very happy and proud of myself – way to motivate me Mom!), and then yanked the thread once again, forcing me to re-do it. At the moment I wasn’t so happy about it, but I have to admit, I am grateful because when she wasn’t here, I could set the machine up myself, and I felt very cool.

We of course did this little programme with the bobbin as well. What is a bobbin you might ask? Good question! Did you know that you have two threads when you are sewing? Me neither. So basically, there is a small tube with circular ends and a small cut on both ends at the bottom of the machine under the needle that is placed in a bobbin case, then into the machine, which feeds you a second thread when you are sewing.

At the moment I wasn’t so happy about having to set up the machine over and over again because I was eager to get down to sewing, but I have to admit I am grateful. I am grateful because when she wasn’t here, I could set the machine up myself, and I felt very cool. So, anyway, once I was an expert in setting the machine up, my mom showed me how to use it too, and then she invited me to try it out. We obviously did the most basic stitch, the straight stitch, and I made a little rectangle, so I could practice linear sewing, and turning the material under the needle.

That little rectangle will be my reminder of where I started, and how it felt when I feel stuck. I felt very proud, full of excitement and anticipation, some level of uncertainty and a pinch of fear maybe, but everything was overshadowed by how blessed I felt. I was doing something I had been dreaming about, I had my mom by my side, my sister (via Skype), and my dad gathered around the table watching me do my first stitches. The rest of the week I was feeding off of this experience, and set up the machine several times to familiarise myself with the way, speed, and strength it works. I tried the different options it has, and the different types and lengths of stitches.

My go-to practice shapes were rectangles. I created enough rectangles to make a dam and stop any river’s flow. With every attempt, I became more and more confident in using the settings, changing directions, and finishing off the patterns, so it was worth it. I honestly thought I would spend more time on this, but I can barely contain my excitement. I really cannot wait to start on a bigger project!

One thing I know for sure is that I’m in for a long and crazy ride with the sewing machine—just like with anything new. Whilst I was sewing I kept wondering how your experiences were the first time you sat down by the machine. So, the question for those of you who sew are: Do you remember the first time you sat down by the machine? How was your first time sewing? Who was there with you? And the million-dollar question for those who don’t sew: Would you consider sewing a vintage wardrobe for yourself?

Be strong! And believe in yourself! And see the difficult as easy. And the struggle as beautiful. Life is an adventure by Péter Müller.