Sewing machine and second hand drama

One of the reason I started up this blog was not just to be creative with the clothes I had, but because I was inspired by the awesome DIY ethics of so many style bloggers, like No Signposts in the Sea and E from Academichic. I ebayed a sewing machine back in January (while struggling with a paper) and decided that my reward for writing two papers for that conference in New Orleans was re-learning how to sew. I'd start out small, like hemming a skirt and making curtains, and then move on to simple skirts and skills. Blokey's aunt has offered me sewing books, and the ebay machine was fully functioning and in good order.

I even went to Steinlaufs in the Garment district, the Pratt Store, and Target to get supplied.

Alas, my vintage sewing dreams were dashed when my newbie self realized that the Singer 2112 did not have a presser foot. I wrote to the ebay seller, and s/he was unresponsive. I followed the directions at sew4less.com and ordered a zigzag, zipper, and straight foot for this model. Or so I thought. They arrived yesterday, and I tried to snap them on. No luck.

curse you, deficient cool old sewing machine!

To add insult to injury, Ebay informed me that since so much time had passed since the purchase, my period to file a claim with them was one day past.

I was sleepy and fell asleep with my entire outfit on over my covers at 9:45 to deal with my frustration. This morning, I decided that drop the money on a new or reconditioned one (I deserve my hobby). Any thoughts for a good budget (but quite functional) sewing machine?

Since I was up before the sun (rare), I worked on mending my new vintage blouse.
This gossamar thin lovely reminds me of Karen Carpenter or Stevie Nicks. I would prefer to dress like Joni Mitchell or Carole King, but baby steps:

(She was only $5 including shipping from Etsy seller In Search Of)


mending supplies from Steinlauf and Stollers

The offending tear in the front of the blouse (which I treated with anti-fray liquid the night before)

Place the patch thing, shiny/slick side down, on the "inside" of the blouse. I used an ironing press cloth (muslin?) between the iron and the blouse

After placing the iron (on "wool" setting) for 15 seconds


I next mended a small collar hole


After: vintage repair win!

The sleeves are very short and it is quite transparent, so I need a sleeve strategy and a nude cami (or a slip). I'll be in business soon.