Sunday, September 27, 2015

Machine Sewing---Yuk!

Resting the needle pushing fingers has really done wonders.  However,
It's become clear to me that sewing dolls completely by hand is now
a thing of the past!  I still want to make dolls and enjoy hand sewing,
so I have compromised.  I've spent a frustrating month working on 8
 small (8 inch) simple Prairie dolls.  Bodies and dresses sewn on the 
machine, with an easy to handle amount of finishing hand sewing.  To 
make a long story short, the last dolly went together without removing 
a single stitch or uttering a single curse word.  They certainly aren't 
my best work, but it's a start.
I came across this sewing advice at
Seriously?
My experience with the dreaded machine is
more like this.....
Than this!
I like this version better.
Quilty Pleasures
 HAPPY SEWING!

17 comments:

  1. Sherri those old manuals are quite something to read! I love your dolls; great fabrics and such detail. Will you be selling these? We went to our storage unit today and I picked up my Old Brown Jug; just like yours in the background with your dolls. I am cleaning it up and then I will take a picture. My husband actually brought it home one day. They had been digging in the dirt and found it. I was so happy that they did not break it.

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    1. I am going to Kansas City next weekend to help my friend who participates at Missouri Town 1855. She and her husband set up a small general store. I usually take a few dolls to add to her set up. Hopefully, I will get a good response, they are certainly the right dolls for the time period.

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  2. Sherri, these little dolls are wonderful! They're dressed just right and have such sweet faces. I have to sew on the machine; I don't trust my hand sewing to stay put. I'm sure your dolls will get a good response. I understand about the fingers and having to limit the amount of hand sewing you do. This afternoon, as I sat quilting, the tremor in my left hand made the whole frame shake! Frustrating!! I'm not so sure about some of the advice from the manuals, but I do try to have the housework done before quilting.

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    1. I have noticed a slight shaking of my hands too, gee it's no fun to get older! I just have to accept my work will not have the same look or quality as hand sewing but, hopefully I will get better at machine sewing on such a small scale. I've been machine sewing for eons, but never really enjoyed it that much and stick with straight lines and a larger scale!

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  3. What a great post...inspired me and made me laugh! LOve, Love the girls...all of them are dressed so fine (even if you did plug in a bit)! And, for sure, I can well appreciate the final version of sewing advice! :-)

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    1. You would really laugh if you saw what a disaster my sewing area is in. These little dolls created so much havoc for me, the laundry's piled up, I need to vacuum & the hubs has been eating a lot of sandwiches!

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  4. My mother taught me to sew on her old treadle sewing machine but never taught my sisters. She said I was the only one that she could trust and took to it like a duck takes to water. I still love both machine and hand sewing. So funny reading the sewing advice. I think I have broken most of those rules especially about not combing my hair and working in my PJ's! I like your little Prairie dolls! I am sure you will get a good response to them.

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    1. I have 3 machines, one's a treadle, but I've never really enjoyed sewing on them. Tiny spaces are the worst for me, so I've always done them by hand, but I'm doing my best to adapt!

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  5. Super fun post. I enjoyed every bit of it. You are a clever girl to put it all together. I want to tell you the little dolls are just precious. So cute at just 8 inches tall. that is tiny, so you did a great job on them. Sewing on the machine or some hand sewing, 8 dolls is a lot of work and so sweet too. I don't have much experience on the sewing machine so I can appreciate others work using a machine and hand stitching.People will love those little dolls. I enjoyed the post so much I will come back and read it several more times.

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    1. I've always loved the simple prairie doll and from a distance they don't look too bad. The seams are a bit crooked but I got better by the 8th one! Glad you enjoyed the post!

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  6. Your dolls are adorable and I am with out a doubt sure they would sell. Have a great time in Kansas City, that is where my husbands Aunt lives.

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    1. I am looking forward to my time in Kansas City. I will be visiting my nieces too. The newly renovated Toy and Miniature Museum is now open so I plan to stop and see the wonderful dolls
      and dollhouses. I will try to take pictures for a post.

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  7. You've been "sew" busy. Your little 8" dolls are adorable and they look wonderful. Such find stitched faces. Hand sewing is nice, but the use of a sewing machine works wonders. I've seen that article on "Advice From A Singer Sewing Manual" but the new "Sewing Advice" fits the bill for today's ladies.

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  8. My grandmother would have given her eye teeth to have a modern fancy machine. Hand sewing was work to women of the past so the machine would have been a god send. Surely it will get easier for me with practice!

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  9. Ohhh, can't wait to see your dolls in person. And no one will notice ANY crooked seams, seriously. Did a man write that advise! Holy Smokes! "Put on a clean dress" - what for? "sink of dirty dishes, beds unmade", who cares. "French chalk" never heard of it. My question is: if you follow these rules, will you sew better? Is so, there's no hope for me. Yikes! See you Thursday!

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  10. LOVE your dolls #1, LOVE your post , going to read it again and love your pictures .smiling here ear to ear ! Made my evening!

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  11. my daughter and granddaughter purchased a little doll from you at Missouri Town today. I am not sure which one was more delighted with the little dolly! Your dolls are precious.

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