Shopping Time
24 June 2008, 16:11 First of all thank you to each and every one for you for all the congratulations on our engagement! I should be getting the measurements and detail photographs for my Granny's 1949 wedding dress in a month or so and I'll share them then...Meanwhile, I actually made a big purchase earlier last week, before I got the ring!
Yes, it's a Bernina 800DL serger/overlocker! I have been lusting over this exact model for well over 9 months now, waiting for a still-delayed bonus, when I saw one come up on eBay for £100 cheaper than the cheapest retail price here in the UK. It was being sold by a lovely sewer who was selling her overlocker and coverstitch machines since she upgraded to a combined machine, and she kept ALL the original packaging and accessories - even the Bernina-branded needles!!
I haven't had a chance to do more than devour the user's manual yet because my thread only arrived today (see below), but I am so excited! I actually bought two serger books a month or so ago just so I could learn what all the stitches did well before I ever ordered a machine, not knowing one would fall into my lap so soon...
I also had a bunch of magazines all arrive at once - the June and July issues of KnipMode magazine, and the June issue of Burda WOF. The June KnipMode has a one-piece swimsuit to die for, and the June BWOF has some fantastic teeshirts, but there wasn't much that jumped out at me in the July KnipMode on first glance...
Since I needed to buy some overlocking thread, I decided to stock up on a few other bits while I was on Jaycotts site and had my card out. I've been meaning to get some pressing tools for ages now, but they're difficult to find in shops so I finally broke down and got a sleeve roll and tailors ham to help shape the wool for my upcoming coat.
When James saw these together on the table he did a very Homer Simpson-esque "mmmm ham roll!" !
I also got my buttons for my winter coat - 8 big ones for the double breasted bib, and 2 smaller ones for the sleeve cuffs. I'm absolutely in love with the textured design of these, even if they are just plastic.
And finally, I ordered 4 spools of black and 4 spools of white overlocking thread and 2 spools of black woolly nylon (for my upcoming sports gear), but due to an order mixup, I didn't get half of that until today (I must say, Jaycotts were brilliant at fixing their mistake!). I also picked up the zippers I needed for various upcoming summer projects, and a replacement rotary cutter blade (not pictured).
And the last thing in that box is a retractable makeup brush that I got for free in Boots when I succumbed to a particularly lovely shade of bronze nail varnish. Stacy had recommended I get a better cleaning brush for my overlocker, so I figured this would do perfectly!
And in BWOF tulip skirt news, I inserted the (rather too beige) invisible zipper and attached the waistband this morning. And to be perfectly honest, I'm not 100% happy with either job. I don't think I can be bothered to rip out the zipper to use a different one, though, so I may just decide to live with it and get on with the coat muslin and the overlocker learning... Tags: machine, magazine, shopping
The serger/overlocker looks new. My understanding is that it takes a while to become really good at using it, but once you are it is a machine you can’t do without. With your sewing expertise, it probably won’t take you too long to master it. Good luck!
— Mom Jun 24, 11:36 PM #
You’re going to LOVE your serger for knits and sports gear!!
— dawn Jun 25, 12:43 AM #
You’re going to love your serger so much! I can’t wait to see what you whip up on it! I wish I would have seen that June Knipmode sooner, it looks like a good issue.
— stacysews Jun 25, 02:58 AM #