[Marielle]

<img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/love.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="love"> Okay, so I had one of those mini machines for hems, etc. and finally dug it out of the closet recently. So after doing some creative sewing on it I realized I needed a full size one.<br><br>
So yesterday I flip through the Home Shopping channel and wonder of wonders the special of the day is a full-o-features sewing machine. Convinced DH to get it and then I bought a book on Amazon.<br><br>
Sew ladies (pun intended) what's an easy project I can tackle after reading the book and acquainting myself with the machine. I know I want to make a hooded poncho for my 11 month old son in microfleece but I've never even seen a pattern or done any sewing on a machine that wasn't hemming. Any suggestion, pretty please? <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/orngbiggrin.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="orange big grin">

 

[kerc]

knit/fleece/wool pants with elastic waist.<br><br>
I recommend kwik sew patterns for beginners. Kwik sew sells books for different sizes -- ks for kids, ks for toddlers, ks for babies. Get the right size for your family and start there. You'll need some tracing paper (white tissue paper works, as does pattern tracing stuff they sell at any fabric shop).<br><br>
Enjoy the machine!

 

[Marielle]

Cool! Thanks! Is the tracing paper to make my own pattern from stuff in the book? (can you tell I'm a total newbie?) <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/orngbiggrin.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="orange big grin">

 

[Kari_mom]

Yep. Kwik Sew patterns in the book need to be traced, but then you always have them too.<br><br>
I didn't think about making a poncho for the baby, the 10 yo dd has already rejected the idea. Cool!

 

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for me, personally, i have a harder time working with knits on a sewing machine than i do anything else (well ok this damn chiffon is taking the lead fast!!). i know it can be done, i just dont do it well. if only i had a differential feed on it LOLLL<br><br>
i LOVE workign with woven cottons. i find them much more predictable -- but that's just me and my experience : )<br><br>
i have heard it said that a walking foot helps when using a sewing machine on knits. i believe they run $20-$70 depending (also check ebay)