I'm a dude, and I want to learn how to sew.

[Omphaloskepsis]

First, my sister uses about fifteen bags when she shops for food (weekly). I would like to make her ones that can be reused. How do I do this? (tips, patterns) Her birthday is coming up soon. I would like to make her cute ones that can be reused.. I know I need to buy a sewing machine. What kind should I get, I don't really want to spend more than $200 for the machine. Is that doable?

And, is that a super lame gift?

[China_cat]

1. Not a lame gift at all

and I applaud you for wanting to do this.

First, go to a sewing store (not a fabric place but one that sells sewing machines). Look around. Ask if they give lessons. Some do. If they don't, check with your local schools to see if there are adult education classes you could take.

As for a decent sewing machine under $200, Costco here has a really nice one for $179. For shopping bags, a serger really would be handy but some regular machines have a stitch that emulates a serged seam. (Yes, the one at Costco does)

I think you'll love what you'll be able to do. And you'll be able to beat the 'made in China' label.

[Omphaloskepsis]

2. Thanks..

I don't have a membership at Costco. My sister does. I can bullshit her enough that she won't know why I want to buy a sewing machine.

[Heidi]

3. I think that's an excellent gift, and I wish someone had given my first

fabric shopping bags to me. Instead, I had to buy them. Now, I'm hooked and will never go back to plastic or paper.

For fabric, I recommend a heavy, machine-washable canvas. You can buy it in lots of colors in fabric shops; my canvas shopping bags have shoulder straps (great for lugging heavy stuff from the store), and one has a reinforced bottom to better support heavy items like milk, canned goods, etc. Another of my fabric shopping bags has a metallic, soft insulated interior for keeping cold stuff cold. (By the way, my mother swears by her serger for simple sewing projects.)

Good luck! I think your sister will love her birthday gift(s)!

[China_cat]

5. I don't think I could do without my serger, either.

But that's a bit daunting for most beginners.

[seemunkee]

4. For $200 you could buy some bags

I can totally understand the DIY approach and knowing how to sew is damn useful at times.
Here are some nice bags that might give you insperation
http://www.reusablebags.com/store/shopping-bags-c-2.html

[Omphaloskepsis]

24. I have a few other things I could use a sewing machine for...

This pushes me over the edge. Now I know I want to buy one.

[gizmonic]

6. What a cool brother you are!

:) :headbang:

Instead of sewing, have you thought about buying some plain canvas tote bags and perhaps stenciling them or decorating them? You can get some nice plain bags and some fabric paint from Joann's.

Maybe stencil a cool recycle-y logo or something!

Good luck!

[Gormy Cuss]

10. That's a faster, easier, and fun way to make those bags.

Although if the OP buys a sewing machine he may find other ways to use it, like repairing clothes or making other useful stuff like curtains on the cheap.

[grace0418]

11. Absolutely. I'm no seamstress but I can make lots of basic stuff. I have 14 windows

in my house and window treatments are freaking expensive.

Plus, as I pointed out in my post, he can actually make the totes out of fabric recycled from other things and really make the whole project very eco-friendly!

[gizmonic]

7. Here's a link to make a shopping tote

http://www.craftster.org/forum/index.php?topic=177482.0

:hi:

[Omphaloskepsis]

25. Awesome.. That was a helpful link. Thank you.

[Maraya1969]

8. First get out the Band-Aids...........

[grace0418]

9. Simple canvas shopping bags are quite easy to sew, too. So that's a good project to

start with. Cooler still if you recycle fabric from worn out clothes or even towels or drapery (sheets would probably be too thin). Or, if you buy new fabric, look in the remnants section for pieces you can use. You'll save money and the bag will be cool and funky.

You can definitely get a decent, basic sewing machine for under $200. Don't get the very cheapest one though, they sometimes don't have enough power to sew a sturdier fabric.

What an awesome gift!

[skygazer]

12. Used to be you could get a good machine for a reasonable price

And sewing lessons as well. I don't know if anyone does that anymore.

Cool idea and not lame at all. :hi:

[bleedingheart]

13. unless you plan on sewing more than that....I would recommend buying bags

one of the DUers here turned me on to this site

http://www.reusablebags.com/

I bought 7 bags...I love them....

Sturdy and they hold more than any plastic bag would ever hold...and you will spend less than $200 on them...

[bleedingheart]

14. If you buy a sewing machine check out used machines...at a good shop

you can get some really good machines cheap and a lot of the high-end used ones are better than a new one...

[Arkansas Granny]

15. Have you tried looking in the newspaper's classified section for

a sewing machine? Sometimes you can find some real bargains there. My guess is that for your needs you would want one that did zig zag stitch as well as straight stitch. That's pretty basic, but many have decorative stitches built in, also.

You can find patterns and instructions on line for those tote bags. Here's one that has good instructions and illustrations:

http://sewing.about.com/od/freeprojects/ss/totebag.htm

Good luck on your project.

[idgiehkt]

16. I really think you should check craigslist and freecycle

Put a 'wanted free or cheap: working sewing machine' ad in there.

I don't think you should have to pay full price; sewing is a dying art and lots of people probably have their mothers or grandmothers sewing machine, but don't use it.

[NMDemDist2]

17. why not just give her these? at $2 each you can get her plenty!

http://go-againbags.com/

[some guy]

18. oh - why did you put a picture?

:cry:

I have canvas bags that are about 15 years old, and still work fine. But they don't stand up like that one.

Now I want that kind of bag, just because it stands up on its own. :(


cruel person you are! :P

[NMDemDist2]

19. I feel your pain. I have spent years aquiring canvass at thrift stores

and where ever I could find them for less than $4 each and have plenty now, but don't blame me, I got them off this thread so we can both blame mzmolly eh?? :evilgrin:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=389&topic_id=1294222&mesg_id=1294222

[some guy]

20. deal

yay - we're friends again :bounce:

:pals:

[NMDemDist2]

21. nothing like finding someone else to blame to bring us together eh??

:rofl:

[Kali]

22. that is great and there is no reason for you not to learn if you want

I always got a kick out of my dad's father - he was a pretty macho man of the 20's 30's 40's an ex-football star from middle America - he had his own sewing machine and used it way more than my grandmother ever used hers. Mostly he did things like fix the lawnmower grass catcher or upholstery for car projects, but he could fix his ripped pants or make a simple purse for a granddaughter too.


missing letters

[Breeze54]

23. You're just such a cool guy!

:yourock:

But I'm not a sewer.

I did sew in Home Economics classes and my family made fun of the dress I made. :(

I stopped sewing after that.

Wish I could help you.

They sell patterns at your local fabric store.

And maybe ask Martha Stewart!! ;)