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How to make a handmade home – sew, quilt and crochet
How to make a handmade home you ask, well I say you need to sew, quilt, and crochet of course! Hi, my name is Nikki. I’m over 50, have two grown kids and one granddaughter so far. I live in Southern California but my family lives in Northern California so I need things to occupy my down time and that’s where sewing, quilting and crocheting comes in to play.
How to fill your free time with making a handmade item
My nest is empty so I need hobbies to fill it and give me joy. Making things with my hands, taking my time in the creative process, and then giving the items away is what it’s all about for me. Spreading the love with handmade items. Whether it’s a baby blanket, quilt, crochet slippers, quilted pot holders or zippered pouches. I love it all!
How to make a handmade home – Crocheting is so much fun!
Crocheting started young for me, my grandma taught me when I was about 9 years old. I’ve made baby blankets as baby shower gifts for family, friends and co-workers for years. Items made include crocheted baby hats, baby sweaters, baby booties, slippers, slippers with pompoms, afghans, ponchos and pillows. I’ve been making a ton of pillows these day, it’s my new thing. I love to find a good stitch by watching a YouTube video, one that has some texture, won’t be boring to make, a crochet stich that is fun to crochet. Then I sew up the pillow insert, stuff it with pillow batting and this allows me to create pillows any size I want. I’m in full control of the creative process. So much fun, and it’s addicting.
How to make a handmade home – Taught myself how to sew and quilt by watching YouTube videos
I started recording crochet shows and quilting shows off PBS (Public Broadcasting Station) for years and have watched countless people sewing and quilting. Quilting looked interesting, I was kind of getting bored with crocheting. I needed a new hobby, I wanted to learn something new. Playing with a sewing machine, selecting and cutting fabric with rulers and rotary blades and then stitching it into a pretty quilt block. Then stitching together all the quilt blocks to build a beautiful quilt. Sewing looked fun and I wanted to try it so I could add it to my handmade home.
My First Sewing Machine
Headed to the local Joann store and purchased a Singer Start sewing machine in November 2019. I actually wore it out trying to quilt a queen size quilt on it. What was I thinking?! This machine was $119.00. I wanted an extension table like they had on my PBS shows so I actually had a custom acrylic table made for this. The extension table was around $149.00 so I paid more for it than I did my machine.
My Second Sewing Machine
I was still new to sewing, didn’t want to spend a lot of money yet as I was still learning. My second machine was this Singer Heavy Duty 6380 Sewing Machine and it was on sale for $249.00 at the time but it came with an extension table which I really liked. On Amazon it’s $318.99.
My Current Sewing Machine
I’m on my third machine, a professional grade JUKI TL-2000Qi Sewing and Quilting Machine. It arrived on the fourth of July, 2021 via Amazon. My family thought I was crazy for not celebrating the holiday. Instead I was at home tracking where the Amazon truck was. 3 stops away, 2 stops away, delivered!!! This machine has a longer throat for quilting. Retail was $729.72 but was $817.83 after shipping/handling and taxes.
How to make a handmade home – don’t let fear hold you back
I was scared at first, the sewing machine was very intimidating but I never gave up. Asking friends, getting advice, watching PBS, seeing what they were using and doing and then trying to repeat it in my small sewing space, and mostly finding YouTube videos that walked me through setting up my machine, how to adjust the tension and so on.
Sewing has been so rewarding, it’s so satisfying to see my work and give it to my loved ones so they always have a piece of me with them. Warms my heart just thinking about it!
What to expect from my blog
This blog will share how to make a handmade home, my sewing and quilting journey, what I like, what I’ve learned and how to enjoy it and not stress for perfection. Talking about how I learned to do everything on a sewing machine by watching YouTube videos. Where to buy fabric, what rulers you must have and the ones that you don’t. Pitfalls to avoid disappointment and areas that will keep your mind interested and looking at your finished project. A finished quilt is the goal. I’ll also share how I quilt in a small space and how you can too. It takes a little more work but it can be done. Come share my journey and hopefully you will learn some tips and tricks along the way to help you learn to sew and quilt.
Here’s some more things about Sew Nikki
I also enjoy baking, reading, watching British mysteries, Agatha Christie, Hercules Poirot, Midsummer Murders, Miss Marple, Brit Box, Acorn TV, listening to audio books and basically making my home feel as cozy and comfortable as possible while living within my means. It’s nothing fancy but it’s homemade and screams that I live here. Join me as I share sewing, crocheting and quilting projects with you.
Thank you!
Nikki
Before you leave, check out how to make a crochet baby blanket from start to finish here.
More interested in quilting? Then check out how to make my log cabin quilt block here.
Hi, Nikki
This is such a great idea… creating a blog where you & other like-minded gals can share experiences while doing what you love.
Sharing your beginning experiences… the challenges, pitfalls & successful solutions… will surely help others who are just starting out, and exchanging ideas will hopefully create a community of friends who can inspire each other to achieve bigger & better things!
Here’s to your success!!
Patti E
Thank you Patti, you are so sweet.
Hi Nikki
I was happy to see another post today.
You make the basics seem so easy & doable that it seems anyone could succeed if they just follow your directions step by step. It’s nice that you are also available to answer any questions if they “hit a snag”(that was meant to be a pun)
I’ll be back for your next post!
Patti E
You’re a real stitch Patti! Love your crochet humor. I hope you follow the steps and make it yourself.
My wife is all about handmade, makes hers and the boys clothes, covers for our pillows, etc. I definitely adds so much to the home
Brad – I couldn’t agree with you more! Thanks, Nikki