Merry Christmas!

Wishing you and yours a very Merry Christmas!

Here's a look at everything that I received for Christmas....  (everything purchased was previously budgeted for - and, all purchases were made with Cash Money).  See Black Friday & MTMMO

All of my Christmas Gifts revolved around Sewing - well, this is SEW ReInvented Audrey!  Really, one thing led to another:

1. New Sewing Machine (And, yes - I love it!): Brother CE8080PRW (purchased on Black Friday, but it was a roll back special at Wal-Mart)
2. 9 New to Me (Out of Print) Vogue Patterns (Black Friday - great deal)
3. New Look 6130 - There are so many reviews of this shirt on PR, I really wanted this pattern
4. FABRIC! and Thread from Fabric.com (Black Friday)
5. Pinking Shears - how did I ever live without these?  My projects are starting to look as nice on the inside as they do on the outside.  So winning!

I still have $25 in the Christmas budget, and I'm trying to decide on what to get.  In retrospect this is so funny, I would spend $25 without blinking.... Now, I've been trying to decide since Black Friday.  There are several sewing related books on my Amazon wish list.  Or, there are some dress maker shears.... Or, the possibilities are endless.

 
Needles Up,
Always Audrey

Black Friday & Fabric.com

Looking back on my Black Friday order, I should have planned out what I wanted.  I set my alarm clock to wake up at midnight - so, that I would be the first (or, at least among the first) to catch the sales prices....

But, my order ended up being all over the map.  (Like, I bought fabrics and thread, but none - except black - of the colors match!)  I'm beginning to think the whole point of the sale starting at midnight --> was to catch someone like me.  Since, I know I'll need to place another order.  LOL!

I should have started thinking about my spring / summer sewing before I placed that order.  So, I have some random things that don't really match up with my *new* sewing plans.  (Honestly, I'm still learning how to plan the plan.)  I really only sat down and started thinking about it (for real, for real) on Saturday. 

In addition, to the items listed below, I got some $1.95 clearance fabrics and thread.

I'm making my birthday dress from this fabric (sunshine yellow broadcloth).  I also ordered some of this in red.  The Vogue Pattern has already been ordered.

I want to make a leather-look skirt, so I ordered this vinyl in black.  Wait, did I order the Teflon foot?  You already know.  I'll put that on my list. 

In 2013, I want to make a quilt.  So, I ordered this for my pieces to get started.  There's a free Craftsy class - Block of the Month - that I heard about from Sann (blog: Wow Sew into It). 

I have some ambitious goals, but I'm looking forward to the challenge.  And, with this holiday weekend (especially, since I celebrated early with my family) I've had a lot of chances to get things done. 

And, I'm working on my first jacket!  Oh, yeah.

Needles Up,
Always Audrey

Black Friday & My New Sewing Machine!

I bought a new sewing machine!

I've only had my previous sewing machine for a year (I bought it last year on Black Friday), but, when I purchased it I bought the most basic $50 machine.... I hadn't sewn anything in years (more, like decades).  And, I wasn't sure I would actually use it - BUT, I have.

 

It was hard trying to decide what would be the right machine for me.  I mean, I didn't want to purchase another machine that I would outgrow in a year or so, but I also didn't want to make a major purchase. 

 

Really, I thought I made a decision - but, Wal-mart announced a last minute roll back.  I didn't see the update until late Wednesday night, so I knew - I would be headed out to the stores first thing on Black Friday morning.

 

I ended up with a Brother CE8080PRW (the pictures above are from Brother's website). 

And, I got it for $134.97!  80 built in stitches --> with a total of 8 different automatic button holes.  OMG!  Automatic button holes!

 

All day, I've been planning to get home, so that I could start playing with my new machine.... But, I'm way, way too tired.  Of course, between trying to get the 50% off thread from Fabric.com at 1 this morning (and, they had already sold out of the white Gutterman), and getting to Wal-mart at 6:45, then going to work.... I'm just too tired.  Really, what was I thinking?

 

I did open the box, but I still need to take everything out. 

Once, I get it set up - I'll be sure to post more pictures! 

P.S.  I haven't given him a name yet, but I'm sure I will!  Right now, he's MMII (Magic Maker #2)!

Needles Up,
Always Audrey
 

The difference that thread makes....

I've been using the Coats thread that they sell in Wal-mart.  Someone recommended that I try using Gutermann Thread.  OMG!  What a difference this thread makes.....

My sewing machine is singing with this thread on the inside....
I can see a difference in the seams....
And, generally speaking - I am loving this thread!

The only problem is that I didn't buy enough of it.... So, I made a pair of red pants - and, yes - I used black thread (LOL!).  Let me tell it, that's a design feature. 

I also made a pencil skirt (thanks, MIMI G for a great tutorial), but I'll have to get some pictures before I can post the reviews for both.

Needles Up,
Always Audrey