Category: Sewing

Years ago I got a beginner’s sewing machine from a coworker as a thank you for helping her write a family history. That sewing machine was abused and neglected by me through my college years and grad school – never serviced, used improperly, and neglected sometimes for years at a time. I never made that basic Brother machine a sewing machine cover. Still, it managed to help me make curtains, and aprons, mend some pants that ripped before their time, and add a few hems to new purchases.

Eventually though the wear and tear began to show, and I found myself avoiding even small sewing projects because I was dreading the frustration of facing the jams that would come every few minutes.

I met my dear friend Helen and her enthusiasm for sewing soon had my head filled with fun things I could make – a new machine was definitely in order.

Enter Bertrand (Bertie for short)- my Singer Heavy Duty 4411 sewing machine. Bertie, is simple, and strong, and friendly, and reliable. Bertie certainly deserves something more useful and protective than the sad little sheath that was in the box.

Helen and Wendy provided some advice (that I considered thoughtfully, and appreciated greatly, and then ignored nearly completely) and that night I made Bertie a more appropriate piece of clothing based roughly on this walkthrough which I liked because I didn’t understand a good part of it!

If you’re interested in how I made mine – read on.

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