Sewing Supplies

 

Later today, I’m heading up to Oswestry to do a 3-day freehand machine embroidery course run by Alison Holt.  I saw her work in a book and was captivated by it!  After searching for any YouTube videos featuring her work, I happened across her website and discovered that she does in-person courses.  There were spaces on one in a few weeks, themed Spring Woodlands, and I was free so I booked it. 

Whilst going through the requirements list for the course, it transpired that I needed an extension table for my 30-year-old Brother sewing machine.  I have one for my computerised machine but it didn’t fit the Brother and a computerised machine isn’t suitable for the course – a machine with dials is needed.  It is possible to have a table made but the lead time was 2-4 weeks, which I didn’t have.  They were also priced at over £90!  I started to wonder if I could make my own and saw this blog post which spurred me on.  First of all, I made a template from cardboard to fit around the free arm of my machine.

I purchased a piece of 6mm polycarbonate from a local company and transferred the template onto it.  I also rounded the corners by drawing around a 10p piece.  The polycarbonate is clear but has protective sheets on both sides.

Using a jigsaw with a brand-new fine-toothed blade, I cut out the hole.   The clamps held the sheet firmly in place whilst I was cutting.  The polycarbonate cut really well.

After cutting, I did a test fit on my machine and marked where I needed to make some small adjustments.

I drilled holes for some adjustable sewing machine extension table legs that I’d purchased online.  Then a light sanding of the edges and the table was finished.

It fits really well and is very sturdy.  Just the thing for supporting the embroidery hoop during the class.  Together with the legs, it cost me £36 so I saved £54 too!

My old machine had a fabric case that I’d made about 25 years ago.   It had a dodgy brown stain on it so I decided to put it through the wash.  And it shrank!  So, I took the opportunity to make a new one.  The sides were quilted using Bosal Foam Stabilizer to give them some body.

Inside, I even made a pocket to store the instruction booklet – which also had a revamp as the cover was rather tatty.

I’d made a hole in the top so that the machine carry handle would poke through and there’s plenty of room for the presser foot too.