Look what I can do!

Oh, Brother!

So, I got a new sewing machine for my birthday and I love it. It's the Brother CS-6000i. It makes me feel a little guilty because the machine basically does everything for me with the push of a button!

Start, back up, raise needle

I don't even have to use a foot pedal. I can set it to three different speeds and 60 stitches and it'll even thread the needle for me if I ask it to!

Stitch options, so many!

I picked a small project to begin with, just so I could learn my machine. I picked a little goblin from Plush-o-Rama. He's a little rough around the edges (in hindsight, fleece was not the best starter fabric), but I think he's got a certain charm. :)

My beloved monster

Once I felt like I had the settings down, I picked up a few fat corners and tried out some bags. The Origami Pouch was an easy little project that really let me experiment with the stitch settings (and work hard on keeping a straight line!). I need to redo the drawstring for the pouch, I just knitted up some i-cord, but it looks kind of chintzy.

Here's my latest completed project. It's by far the most difficult sewing project I have taken on, except perhaps for my cherry bag - with zipper pouch. I learned how to add a snap AND pleats! This was made using the Buttercup Bag pattern. I am really happy with this baby, but it is quite small, so I'm not sure if I will ever use it or if it will become a gift for someone littler.

Finished Buttercup bag

Fancy pants pleats

Oh, snap!

And a lip gloss pocket!

So, there we go. I am getting such a kick out of the new machine. I already have my next two projects planned out (a summer bag with handles and a batik quilt). Unfortunately, my knitting projects have taken the back burner. I still have two sat little half completed projects waiting patiently in my drawer....