Sew Fancy!

Sew, I bought a sewing machine back in January (see what I did there and in the title…sew/so…I know, right!? I think I’m hilarious too!). A fancy one with a fancy-schmancy name: Brother CS6000i Sew Advance Sew Affordable 60-Stitch Computerized Free-Arm Sewing Machine. Well ain’t that a mouthful!

This thing does everything at the push of a button…reverse stitching, needle threading, buttonhole making…and loading the bobbin – swooooon – so easy.

Let me tell you, I’ve used a number of sewing machines in my time. This one, however, is by far the fanciest and the easiest one I’ve ever used. I knew it was going to be a good machine when a ton of reviewers mentioned that it was easy enough for a beginner and advanced enough for the most experienced seamstress. SO TRUE. I’ve been sewing since I was very young and I’m a fast learner and I kind of feel that I’m an advanced sewer. But while I totally feel like this sewing machine is man (woman) enough to handle all of the projects I plan to throw its way – big and small – I also feel that its user friendly enough that I can easily teach my 10 year old cousin Tiana how to use it without her being the least bit intimidated by it (she’s awesome anyway – no fear!). Awesomesause!

Buttons and levers and digital display…OH FREAKIN’ MY!

Fancccccyyyyyy!!!!

What’s also awesome about this little number was the price. Original Price – $450. Yeah, I’m going to have to go with noooo. I later found it on sale at Joann’s for $200. Better, but I kept looking.

BOOYAH! Amazon.com for $160. Can you say 70% off with no shipping charges?

Yeahhhh, I bought mine from Amazon.

I have theories on why it was (and is still) on sale with such a deep discount: Extra inventory leftover from Christmas? New models/next generations coming out soon? Taking advantage of the Project Runway trend (they make Project Runway models too)? Recent popularity increase in things like knitting/crochet/sewing? I don’t know, and, to be perfectly honest, I really don’t give a shit. 70% discount, free shipping and 3 day delivery. Score!!!

But the story continues…

*insert dramatic music here*

After I bought this little wonder and unpacked it, I kinda got intimidated. Lame, I know, but you gotta understand, I’m old school. I learned to sew on my mom’s sewing machine – an original gansta Singer! It’s even that creepy old school brown color. I even used my grandmother’s super old Singer a couple of times too (pistachio green if I’m not mistaken – sexy). So, alas, my sweet little fanciness sat in my craft room for well over a month.

Until last night!

I decided to woman-the-hell-up and give this bad boy a test drive before Week 3 of my self-imposed National Craft Month Challenge. You know, the week themed “Yarn and/or Fabric”? HELLO!

After much ruminating, I decided to make a nice little rice heating pad. Quick, inexpensive, easy, cute and functional (my back is killing me!). I used this tutorial that I found on Pinterest (a good tutorial with good pictures and she’s hilarious), but I did three things differently:

1. I cut down my fat quarter down to 9×14 inches (folded measurements)
   
2. I added eucalyptus essential oil to the rice and shook it up good in a Ziploc bag
   
3. I used my new fancy sewing machine instead of hand sewing
   

Of course I used too much essential oil and the eucalyptus scent is really strong, but I like it. And it’s hella cute!!!

This was a great project. It forced me figure out and test my machine without the commitment of a big project and I also have an awesome heating pad in the end. Win, and look at that, another win!

Oh! By the way! Feel free to drop on in to use my new sewing machine whenever you need! Can I get you to fill out this form for me though? Don’t forget to sign the bottom. Oh, while you’re doing that, I’m going to need a credit card for the security deposit…and your first born…