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Tackling My Sewing Machine

November 3, 2009 by Janice

This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy here.

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tt-sewing-machineThis is a post about late night, last minute costume tailoring. But more so, it is a post about tackling my sewing machine after years of neglect.

Decades ago, I sewed. Since then, my sewing machine and serger have been stored away in my basement, with my sewing machine only getting pulled out for scrapbooking or card making projects. I haven’t “sewed” anything in many, many years.

But last week, I had two costumes that were too big. The tailor up the street only had time to do Olivia’s Princess Dress hemming and not the adjusments for Jackson’s Captain Rex costume. AND I was horrified that she was charging me $30 for Livvie’s!

I should have grabbed back the dress and said, “Thanks, but no thanks.” But I didn’t have the guts. Plus my sewing confidence was below low. Could I really get both costumes adjusted with my already over packed schedule?

So I left Livvie’s dress with the tailor and took home Jackson’s. At 10pm, the night before the Halloween costume parade at school, I tackled it. (Yes — I left it right down to the wire cause I like drama.) 😉

tackle-it-tuesday-sewing-machine

I dug out my dusty sewing machine, pushed back the papers next to my laptop, turned on Grey’s Anatomy, and got down to work.

I needed to shorten at the ankles and at the waist to try to get the costume to fit.

tackle-it-tuesday-sewing

tackle-it-tuesday-sewing

Maneuvering around the foam shin pads and the shoe covers wasn’t easy, but I decided to abandon perfectionism. This was about function, not beauty.

tackle-it-tuesday-sewing

But I think the legs turned out pretty well anyway.

tt-costume-5

Next, it was time to tackle the waist.

tackle-it-tuesday-sewing

The front looked alright…

tackle-it-tuesday-sewing

But the back seam didn’t line up correctly. BUT considering the original sewing showed through their black thread, my tailoring will make the cut!

If you are wondering why I didn’t take it in at the original waist, once again, I had foam pads in the way. So I just wanted to make a tuck so it all lined up well in the front.

Two hours later, (yes — it took me two hours. Very embarrasing. But I might have been a bit distracted by Grey’s Anatomy and Private Practice) I was done.

tackle-it-tuesday-halloween-costume

And the next day, Jackson was Captain Rex from The Clone Wars.

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About Janice

Janice is co-founder of 5 Minutes For Mom. She's been working online since 2003 and is thankful her days are full of social media, writing and photography.

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17 Comments

  1. tran bao ngoc says

    January 6, 2015 at 5:07 pm

    Wow!! For them to make you wait on a broken machine that is still under full warranty surprises me. I thought they’d replace that! Mine is just older than the full warranty which is why I assumed they’re making me wait

    Reply
  2. Miss Sews-it-all says

    November 9, 2009 at 11:35 am

    Wow, great job on the costume! I have to admit, alterations are about my most un-favorite thing to do.

    There are lots of great sewing tips, tricks, and how-to’s to share at http://www.WeAllSew.com

    Reply
  3. AY says

    November 4, 2009 at 8:04 am

    Great job with the sewing. I finally got my son’s glass cabinet up – long overdue project which materialized thanks to Tackle it Tuesday.

    Reply
  4. Rebecca says

    November 3, 2009 at 6:02 pm

    I bought a sewing machine second hand over 6 months ago and still haven’t tried it. Maybe you’ll see a project on a Tuesday Tackle soon! His costume turned out great!

    Reply
  5. Mother Hen says

    November 3, 2009 at 5:07 pm

    I’m so sorry. The first link is wrong (#35 I think). I linked correctly the second time (#36 I think). Sorry for the trouble.

    Reply
  6. Rhiana Pfaff says

    November 3, 2009 at 2:01 pm

    Great job! Love the sewing machine! I have a Bernina that keeps me going, believe it or not (see my last name above). I linked up with my holiday gifts crafts to-do.

    Have a great Tuesday!

    Reply
  7. BarbaraLee says

    November 3, 2009 at 12:25 pm

    That is a cool costume. For something he is going to wear one time I wouldn’t sweat over it.

    Reply
  8. heather says

    November 3, 2009 at 10:27 am

    Looks awesome! You’re doing far better than me. I’ve never even been CLOSE to a sewing machine.

    Reply
  9. Vic says

    November 3, 2009 at 8:47 am

    I have yet to tackle quite a few projects.

    You did such a great job. Looks AWESOME:)

    Reply
  10. Organizing Mommy says

    November 3, 2009 at 7:53 am

    Good for you! Sewing is so therapeutic, isn’t it? I was sewing this week also.

    Reply
  11. Bonnie says

    November 3, 2009 at 7:37 am

    That is fantastic!!! Way to go. I would love to know how to sew for this exact reason.

    Reply
  12. Susie's Homemade says

    November 3, 2009 at 6:55 am

    Two hours? I would have taken me two months!! Awesome tackle:-)

    Reply
  13. Alyson says

    November 3, 2009 at 5:20 am

    I need someone in my area to help me tackle my sewing machine; I am sure in just a couple of lessons I would be able to sew again. Help! Thanks for your post. I tackled baking with my daughter, we need to practically make appointments to share our special baking time. But we did it yesterday and always so much fun!

    Alyzabeth’s Mommy for One Year!

    Reply
  14. Janice says

    November 3, 2009 at 2:42 am

    Ann Marie – that was the bad part about doing it after Jackson had gone to bed. I couldn’t check it as I went. Had to wait for morning to see if I got it right.

    Lisa – ohhh I so need to get a family shot!

    Reply
  15. Lisa says

    November 3, 2009 at 1:15 am

    Looks great! We tackled our family Christmas photo this week.

    Reply
  16. Ann Marie says

    November 3, 2009 at 1:01 am

    Great Job with your sewing machine! And yes you did a wonderful job hiding the thread! Wonderful pictures too!

    I think the question isn’t how long the project takes – but how often did little man have to try it on! 😉

    Reply

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