January 13th, 2013 
soyofthenorth The start of a new year and the start of a new craft.
Hello everyone and Happy New Year! It’s been a while since my last blog post. I’ve been having a little break over the Christmas/New Year period but now it time to get back to making and blogging.
I’ve been trying out a new craft the past week or so, as recently I’ve been given a sewing machine. I’ve been wondering if I should try machine sewing as several members of my family have done it themselves in the past and the present, so maybe sewing is in my blood. It’s quite a heavy machine with a metal case and it came fitted inside a cabinet, so I can set it up easily when I want to use it.
I’m getting used to it after a bit of practice and I’ve worked out how most of it works, (it didn’t come with an instruction manual and nobody seems to have a copy, not even the manufacturer 
). The only bit I’m still trying to figure out is the pattern cam system. So far, what ends up being sewn doesn’t look like the pattern shown on the disk.
I think I’ve got straight sewing down OK, so I’ve tried sewing my first project – a fabric coaster. I followed a tutorial I found online using some fabric scraps that I had been given. The coaster I made didn’t have any quilter’s batting inside as I don’t have any at the moment. For any future coasters I’ll add some otherwise they end up a bit flat. This project is great for beginners I think. Since all the stitching is hidden inside the coaster, you don’t have to worry too much if your stitching is not great just yet.
Time to find out what the New Year has brought for the people of Handmade Monday and Inspire Me Friday.
Posted in 
Tags: 
Bloglovin
Facebook
Feed
Flickr
Pintrest
Stumbleupon
Twitter
Website
Well done for working out how to use it. I had to go and help a friend work out how to use one she had borrowed earlier and before I worked it out I feared I broke it! Your first project looks very good. Well done.
What a great gift to receive! Now you’ve got started with machine sewing you probably won’t stop
x
Well done on getting started – the hardest part! I used to have a machine that had cams like that, I think there was a setting on the front that related to the cam, and you had to adjust the length and width to get the stitch looking like it should do too. It’s a while ago and my memory might be playing tricks, but sometimes it’s worth a bit of fiddling!
I took your advice and played with the lengths and widths. Now I can get the basic zig zag cams to work
Would you be able to google to see if anyone else has the same machine as yours? Well done on starting out on your sewing journey and in the near future expect to see some projects from you!
I’ve been googling a lot but no-one has the same machine
How exciting to be learning a new skill. Your coaster looks really great. Perhaps you could call it a candle mat.
I have images in my mind of someone lighting a candle on a “candle mat” then seeing it go up in flames. Probably not good for something that’s flammable
Well done on your first item of sewing I look forward to seeing lots more makes on the blog in future.
It’s always good to try something new and your first project looks pretty professional already.
Well done, you will soon be making a candle coaster to match each of your candles
Jan x
Wow – that is impressive for a first make with a new machine
I felt like I had accomplished something when I got to the stage of being able to change the thread & bobbin colour without needing the manual! Well done you 
I haven’t had much experience with sewing machines, but it’s fantastic you worked out how to use it, & a lovely first project too!
Happy New Year Melanie:0)
How fun to have something new to try. I like the combination of fabrics you’ve used.
Well done on figuring out how the machine works. Must be in your blood as they can all be so different. Love the fabrics you used for the coaster. There’ll be no stopping you now, you could create some candle bags. Have a lovely week.
Ali x
Candle bags sounds like a good idea. Will have to look for a new tutorial for it.
what a great gift – I am sure that you will crack the patterning soon, achieving the right design is likely to be a certain combination of stitch length and zigzag settings. Have you looked here http://sewingonline.co.uk/newhome-manuals.html for a manual. I don’t know your model number to check whether it is available but good luck with your search.
There are free instructions here for a New Home http://sewingonline.co.uk/instructions/newhome1/
different odel but there may be some helpful sections.
Unfortunately I’ve already checked there and they don’t have my model. It’s typical that they have models on either side of my model number, but my model gets skippped.
Even the manufactuer does not have the manual any more.
Wow! That is such a lovely looking coaster! I managed to make a wonky nail file holder for my first sewing machine project so I think you’ve been waaaaaay more successful that me
Can’t wait to see your future sewing projects xx
Good luck with the new machine – it’s addictive!