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Question for people who sew

Am I crazy to think that I can go buy a sewing machine, and sew a boppy pillow cover?

I have all of this cute fabric left over from some other nursery projects, and I really want to make it into a boppy cover.  I found a pattern and tutorial.  It seems pretty straight forward.  I could definitely sew it by hand, but I don't think it would strong enough to stand up to the amount of washing and on/off that I imagine a boppy cover needs to handle.

I have no idea how to use a sewing machine though.  The last time I used one was in 7th grade home ec, and the pajama pants I made were messed up. 

Do you think that between the manual and googling "how to use a sewing machine" I can figure this out?  Or is it a lot harder than I'm expecting?

This is the tutorial: http://www.vanillajoy.com/how-to-boppy-cover.html

And the sewing machine will probably be something like this one: http://www.target.com/p/Brother-LS2125I-10-Stitch-Free-Arm-Sewing-Machine-with-Automatic-4-Step-Buttonholer/-/A-10261843#?lnk=sc_qi_detaillink


image
Baby Boxer is coming! 5.23.12
www.focushunting.com

Re: Question for people who sew

  • Despite taking sewing lessons as an adolescent, and having the capable assistance of my mother by my side, I never got the hang of using a sewing machine independently.  Maybe they're easier now, but threading a bobbin is the pits.

    Do you know someone who sews who could walk you through it?   

  • I would not buy a sewing machine for this one project.  I would look around for local sewing classes (even if you have a drive a bit) or a friend with a machine.  
  • I think the most complicated parts are going to be learning how to use the sewing machine and adding the zipper. It will probably be a good idea to have some guidance so find a friend who sews or a class and you'll be much happier.
    image
    11/11/11 = 5 years. Woah!
  • imageDaringMiss:
    I would not buy a sewing machine for this one project. 

    Yeah, what are you some kind of idiot?  It's way too expensive to buy a sewing machine for one project and then throw it away and never use it again.  You dumb bastard.

    image
    "That chick wins at Penises, for sure." -- Fenton
  • I go my sewing machine about 6 months ago and I'm obsessed. I already want to upgrade to a nicer one. 

    I think you could (and should) totally do it. If you go a little higher end and get a machine from a dealer you can get free classes and a discount on supplies usually. That will get you to a point where you can comfortably do simple patterns on your own.   

  • The zipper worries me.  I was kind of thinking about just adjusting the pattern, so that I can use velcro instead.  I could do that part by hand.  Apparently I need some sort of zipper foot to be able to sew the zipper, and that sounds scary and hard.

    So, really I'm just worried about figuring out how to actually make the sewing machine work.

    My other alternative is to get somebody on etsy to make them for me, but they run about $20/cover plus shipping.  I have enough fabric to make 2 covers, so in the end it's not that much more expensive to just buy the sewing machine.  And it's something I've been wanting to learn to do anyway.  And you know, I figure I'll have lots of time for new hobbies once I have a baby.  right?  RIGHT?

    image
    Baby Boxer is coming! 5.23.12
    www.focushunting.com
  • I love sewing. I'm so glad I picked it up but I think it's a lot easier to learn if you have someone actually showing you rather than from a manual.

    I have a machine from the 50s or 60s so I'm not one who thinks fanciness matters.

    Also, I have no idea how to put in a zipper, but I think a boppy could slip into an envelope style cover with the slit in the center and those are freaking easy.


    image
    we all fall down sometimes
    brass and ballet flats
  • imageEssBe:

    Also, I have no idea how to put in a zipper, but I think a boppy could slip into an envelope style cover with the slit in the center and those are freaking easy.

    This is an excellent point.  I don't even really need to mess around with velcro. 

     

    Here's another question.  This is the fabric I have. Because of the sizes of my remnants, the cars will go up and down on the pillow, instead of side to side. That doesn't matter right?  Please say it doesn't matter, and I'm being nuts.

    image
    Baby Boxer is coming! 5.23.12
    www.focushunting.com
  • I want that fabric.

    I don't think it matters how the cars are oriented -- from the baby's perspective they'll be moving the correct way. 

  • Don't be scared of the zipper or the zipper foot. It's a little complicated, but you can do it. I like your idea of the velcro, though.

    I love the fabric and don't think it matters which way the cars are facing.

    I would strongly recommend getting some cheap remnant fabric and practicing before using your cool fabric. Also, practice a zipper on some other (easy) project first just to get the hang of it.

    image
    11/11/11 = 5 years. Woah!
  • imagelisaiesha:

    I would strongly recommend getting some cheap remnant fabric and practicing before using your cool fabric. Also, practice a zipper on some other (easy) project first just to get the hang of it.

    Yes, I will definitely do this.  I have a lot of random fabric laying around my house, considering I don't sew...

    image
    Baby Boxer is coming! 5.23.12
    www.focushunting.com
  • The only thing that would worry me about facing the fabric that way would be whether I was cutting off all the cars.  But if the scale of the fabric and the pillow are such that it's not a problem, I think it would be fine.

    image
    we all fall down sometimes
    brass and ballet flats
  • You can do a zipper without a zipper foot. The foot just makes it easier to line up, but it's by no means required. I have a zipper foot and I usually don't bother with it. 
  • How important is being able to sew in a straight line?  Because I'm really bad at that.  Comically bad.
    image
    "That chick wins at Penises, for sure." -- Fenton
  • Is there like a craft lab or something in your city? We have a place where you can take sewing lessons but they also rent machines by the hour. You just sit there and use them. People are normally there to help too.
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