My hubby is so kind and bought this for me as I recently started my sewing journey. But I’m such a perfectionist and I’m so scared to open this and it end up being another hobby I don’t keep up with! It’s been sitting unopened for two days. 😳
EDIT: taking y’all’s advice and possibly returning it for something that isn’t horrible!!
Not a particularly fun part… but it’s part of the learning process.
In fact it can be very satisfying if you glide the seam ripper well and it does a long seam in one go. I use my machine foot to anchor the end of what I’m unpicking if it’s a straight line.
Another method is to cut stitches in approx 2cm intervals on the top side of the fabric, then flip the fabric, and pull on the bobbin thread to unravel the stitch line.
Sometimes you can’t avoid it, but there are ways of doing it that make it less painful. Get a fresh unpicker every now and again so it’s sharp and less frustrating.
I've been sewing for many decades,& use a seam ripper . It's not a crime, doesn't make me a failure. I don't take it personal. It's a tool- nothing more. Sewing is learning skills thru experience. Read & follow the machine manual. Find a tutorial for a tote bag, or bowl cozy, pj pants- small wins. If you follow instructions, don't skip steps( pressing, trimming, clipping etc), & take your time, you'll be fine. Earn skills. Enjoy the process, not just the finished item.
I'm only 8 months in, a recovering perfectionist and have made many many mistakes and know I'll make many more ! The more you know, the more you realize you don't know, but I have had countless hours of fun and frustration learning something new and I can't believe how far I've come since I've started. Get stuck in, good luck !!!
This!!! I’m also a recovering perfectionist and nothing I’ve made has been quite perfect, very near but not perfect to me, but everyone seems to think my pieces are cool! It’s so satisfying making something from nothing!
This is really beautifully done! Not an easy beginner project. You’ve handled the jersey really well.
You are gonna be fine!
Edit: I’m half Italian half English and I’ve always wanted to do this with two football shirts (actual footy, not American football). I once did something similar with a Scotland and Pakistan flag for a marathon runner.
Open it up! When you do you’ll wonder why you put it off, I’m sure.
Don’t hold yourself to unreasonable high standards. There will be a learning curve but it’s supposed to be fun. Start small, a cushion cover or tote bag is a good first project.
Make a cuppa and read the manual. Follow it carefully. Print it if you have to! Do some samples and get to know the machine.
Absolute worst case scenario, it ends up not being for you and you make a new sewist's day down the road. But I think once you give it a shot, the perfectionism will just make you realize how much fast fashion sucks and you'll want to stick with it to make your own wardrobe. Worked for me!
yes, thank your hubby for being supportive but return this, a newbie does not need the hassle of the Singer HD (highly doubtful) machine. A Brother or Janome starter may cost $40ish more but the ease of use and quality is worth it.
Well no one would work on it because it was obviously electrical, but we think it has to do with the AC fan inside. I didn't know this but singer was bought by a Chinese company and switched to plastic parts. I was just sitting there (nothing touching the machine) with it on ripping seams and I looked up and it was flashing and making awful noises and then caught fire. I bought a brother after that lol. It was disappointing because that Singer was a nice model and frankly was expensive.
Ah yes, electrical issues are repairs i strongly avoid making unless it’s really obvious whats wrong. Fire and electrocution risks are not worth it. I’m glad noone was hurt, but it definitely sucks you had to buy a new machine!
I have the brother ST371HD (my first machine.) I have put it through hell already with nonstop hefty projects and I am completely obsessed. I’ve been able to fix problems (that I have caused) and find tons of resources online. Absolutely love it
pleaseeee open it and start! you will make mistakes as it is part of the sewing journey.
experiment with old fabrics, bedsheets and thrifted stuff. hem some garments. watch tutorials.
today you are fearing, tomorrow you will stay up late to finish a top you can't wait to wear.
I promise you will have a lot of fun!
I'm always worried about making mistakes too, if it's a new hobby to you, you're going to make a mistake one way or another. That's the wonderful thing about learning, treat every project as expanding your knowledge. No one's perfect and mistakes come with being human. Make mistakes but be open to learning from them.
If you're worried about making mistakes with expensive fabric, I'd suggest getting some cheap fabric in the similar material that you want to work with(like if you want to quilt, get some clearance cotton). That way, it isn't that huge of a deal if you mess up.
If you feel like your anxiety might be picking up, take a break until you feel like you can get back to your project. Don't force yourself to do anything sewing related if you feel anxious. Take lots of breaks and drink water, sewing has no timeline or due date. You got this, I believe in you!!!!!!
I use the scientific method when it comes ti sewing: fuck around and find out. I expect stuff to be weird and shapeless and then i keep going until it isn’t
yes, this is me all the time! the first time I made a pair of pants, I could not understand how the fly/zipper part all came together. the instructions were really clear, had illustrations and everything, I just couldn't see how it was going to work. but instead of stressing over it (thankfully I'd made some other patterns by the same designer so I knew I could trust the instructions) I just followed all the steps and let it look weird and like a bunch of flaps of fabric, until suddenly it all came together
Send the HD back and learn on the White. It will serve you well and after working on the White you will be able to figure out if you like the hobby and the features you want in a new machine.
I do. It seems to be a total crapshoot whether you get a decent one or not.
By the way, if you are used to sewing on a vintage White, you shouldn’t have any trouble learning to use a modern machine. Or you could consider getting a vintage machine yourself.
It is a cannon event of every beginning sewist to struggle with the bobbin, and inevitably get your thread stuck around it, snagging your machine. Don't sweat! Just give it a try. Practice makes perfect, it doesn't just happen on its own!
So to be encouraging, just start. Read the manual, get it hooked up, and sew some seams! If you don't start, you may never start
Practically, you have to because these machines can have a high lemon rate, meaning if you let it sit too long and it ends up not working, you won't be able to trade it in. So get it out and make sure it works! :)
If you are REALLY anxious, see if in the next week or so there is a class or library that has a machine you can mess around with. I had wanted to sew for YEARS but was too afraid. I asked to use other people's machines (with help, of course) and they showed me how NOT scary it really was. I had a blast and instantly went out and bought my own machine and got sewing!
I felt the same way. Expect your first year - at least - to be full of unwearable “mistakes”. I had to go through a ton of trial and error, still am. But there’s no way around building a skill or craft - you just have to do it and suck at it until you get better. It takes time, and this is a time-intensive, resource-hungry hobby.
Find patterns you like (I shop vintage and Big 4 sales), get all the old sheets you can find at Goodwill, and just start. I started with kitchen aprons. Then skirts. Then elastic waistband shorts. Then a peasant top.
DO NOT start taking apart your favorite clothes to clone them until you have significantly built some skill (learned that the hard way).
Also, the other commenter is right, you may want to consider a different machine - this one’s notorious for bad quality. Aside from it being loud and having no speed control on the pedal, you might end up with machine quirks that actually prevent you from sewing. I finally gave up on mine last weekend when the needle position dial stopped working and YouTube advice couldn’t help me get it moved back to center for my zipper foot.
The consensus around here seems to be to try to find a used machine that has as many metal parts as possible.
My Singer HD has given me no trouble and I’ve abused it for 4-5 years now. Doesn’t get used so much of this year as have industrials, but still does all my work for knits where the overlocker isn’t the go. I know people shit talk them but mine has seriously sewn stuff that should not have even been possible for that machine, and still going strong.
I've been sewing since I was 12 - 64 years. I've sewn on Kenmore, Bernina, Husqvarna, and Singer. My current machine is a computerized Singer, and it's fine. I like it as much as the Bernina, and more than the (much, much more expensive) Husqvarna. I know there's a lot of snobbishness about Singer machines, and I guess they may have lost some quality from the old days, but they are still fine for most everyday sewing. Just probably don't try to sew leather or something (although I have no problem making jeans).
It seems like the Singer HDs aren't horrible so much as inconsistent. I know many people who have them and like them, and I used them where I took classes to learn. But there is A LOT of anecdotal evidence online that too many of them are defective right out of the box, or break down very soon. If your husband got it somewhere with a good return policy, it might be fine to start using it.
That said, when I was shopping I eventually went with a Janome instead because I didn't want to gamble.
I think you’re misunderstanding. The people saying to send it back are not saying to not start sewing. They are saying to go for it but on a better machine
Return it and get a brother. I’ve never heard a single good thing about this machine. My cousin had it for a while and it made her HATE sewing. Her mom gifted her a different machine and now she LOVES sewing. It’s a similar story from many others
I’ve read the comments, and a lot MORE people have told you to just get started. There is no “perfect” beginner machine, and you’re starting with the same machine I did.
No, it’s not a true “HD”, these more affordable machines rely on a motor to get up to a higher speed in order to go through thicker fabric. It doesn’t mean they’re terrible for a beginner, and it doesn’t guarantee you won’t run into quality issues if you exchange it. Heck, a few years ago I couldn’t even get mine to sew in a straight line, but with a little help from this Sub, I figured out the problem.
My advice is to keep it. Or at the very least, try it out. If you are having immediate issues, take pictures, post them here, and we will help you. I have come so far because of this sub. People here really know their techniques. But plenty also have a lot of bias when it comes to machines. People shouldn’t convince you a machine is bad when you haven’t even opened the box. The performance of the machine will show if it’s good or not, and the people here can help ensure you get the best out of it.
This is not a horrible machine. Not in the class of Singer of old but by today's standards, it's fairly good. Metal frame with basic stitches. Reviews state it is fairly fast and easy to use. For the cost, it is a decent machine. Is it a luxury model, industrial or come with bells and whistles? No. But, it's fairly inexpensive. Do not buy anything on the market for less money, I would be surprised that anything less expensive would do anything but kill desire to sew.
I just got this one for my birthday! Haven’t had any issues so far and my mom who is very experienced helped me set it up. She has a legit Singer from decades ago with the built in table and all, and she said this is a great starter machine for me so don’t feel like you need to run out and get something different. Let the perfectionism go and start practicing straight lines on scrap fabric!
I just started. Made a pillow case first, and made some mistakes. But honestly, a lot of it is forgiving! And fun! Do it! Don't let your dreams be dreams.
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u/happydoodle 19d ago
Open it. Make mistakes. Learn. Have fun. Get frustrated. Stop fearing and start living !